Curated OER
The Pacific and El Niño
El Nino, and the climate changes that go along with it, are the focus of this Earth Science instructional activity. Learners pay particular attention to the wind patterns that are established on Earth, and look at weather maps to see how...
National Wildlife Federation
I Speak for the Polar Bears!
Climate change and weather extremes impact every species, but this lesson focuses on how these changes effect polar bears. After learning about the animal, scholars create maps of snow-ice coverage and examine the yearly variability and...
National Wildlife Federation
The Tide is High, but I’m Holding On… Using ICESat Data to Investigate Sea Level Rise
Based on the rate of melting observed from 2003-2007 in Greenland, it would take less than 10 minutes to fill the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium. The 17th lesson in a series of 21 has scholars use the ICESat data to understand the ice mass...
Curated OER
Creating Climographs
Learners use satellite data to compare precipitation and surface temperatures on different islands. In this satellite lesson plan students create graphs and explain the differences between weather and climate.
Wild BC
Is Climate Change Good for Us?
Is it really that big of a deal if the global climate undergoes a little change? Young environmentalists consider this very question as they discuss in small groups the impact of different climate change scenarios on their lives,...
Kenan Fellows
Terrarium in a Bottle: Modeling the Atmosphere, Greenhouse Effect, and Water Cycle
You've heard of farm to table ... but what about farm in classroom? Junior agriculturalists embark upon a two-week journey into the science of growing things. Based upon the classic terrarium in a two-liter experiment, the lesson goes...
Curated OER
What is Climate?
Students explore the differences between climate and weather. In this introductory instructional activity of a climate unit, students discuss the vocabulary and concepts associated with weather and climate. They build their information...
Curated OER
It's Getting Hot out Here! Should I be concerned? (Climate Change)
Students explore the effects of global warming. They examine the differences between weather and climate. After viewing a video, students summarize information on climate change and drought.
Curated OER
Biomes
Seventh graders research about the climate and weather in different biome types. For this biology lesson, 7th graders create a brochure of their chosen biome using Microsoft Publisher. They present their work in class.
Curated OER
Going Local with Global Warming
Students examine climate change by using recent temperature records. In this data analysis lesson students plot weather data and study the differences between weather and climate.
Curated OER
Exploring Seasons
Students study the four seasons. They determine changes that occur in our environment. They demonstrate an understanding of the basic features of Canada's landscape and climate and identify the basic weather and climate patterns of...
Polar Trec
What Can We Learn from Sediments?
Varve: a deposit of cyclical sediments that help scientists determine historical climates. Individuals analyze the topography of a region and then study varve datasets from the same area. Using this information, they determine the...
NASA
Behavior Over Time: Analyzing Seasonal Soil and Air Properties
Moisture can affect air temperatures and so much more! An analysis of NASA soil moisture data allows pupils to make connections between climate and weather features. They first review general data and then select a specific location to...
Curated OER
Living With the Weather
Mini-meteorologists visit the National Climate Data Center online to gather past weather information for the area that they live in. They consider how the weather patterns may have influenced the architecture of the area. Finally, they...
Curated OER
Weather Watchers
Students are introduced to an Underground Weather Stations. In groups, they use the internet to research the weather in different parts of the United States locating each city. To end the lesson, they summarize the information they...
Curated OER
Shorts in January? Is Climate Change Good for Us?
Young scholars explore climate change and the idea that it brings a number of uncertainties about how regions are affected, particularly in the north. Students discuss the advantages and disadvantages that climate change may have for...
Curated OER
West Climate Change
Students read an internet article about hurricanes. For this hurricane lesson, students explain how they form and the damage they bring. They analyze the article and answer questions about it.
Curated OER
Wet Weather, Wet Climate
Pupils discover the differences between weather and climate in this long-term lesson introduction. They create rain gauges and practice reading rainfall measurements, view a website showing the cloud cover in their location and draw bar...
National Wildlife Federation
Get Your Techno On
Desert regions are hotter for multiple reasons; the lack of vegetation causes the sun's heat to go straight into the surface and the lack of moisture means none of the heat is being transferred into evaporation. This concept, and other...
Curated OER
Extreme Research Report
Investigate weather facts and figures to determine what has caused particular climate conditions. Research air pressure, temperature, wind, and humidity. Conduct online research to determine what air pressure, wind, temperature, and...
National Wildlife Federation
What is DBH?
When measuring the circumference of a tree, does it matter how high you place the measuring tape? Most scholars have never considered this question, but scientists know that measurement techniques must be standardized. The 13th lesson in...
Curated OER
Changing Weather: Comparing Climate from Voyageur Times to Today
Fifth graders compare climates. In this weather lesson, 5th graders observe and record weather observations and discuss the impact of weather on people. Students also discuss the concept of global warming and determine how weather...
NOAA
Climographs
In the second lesson of a five-part series, young climatologists use provided temperature and precipitation data to create climographs of three different cities. They then analyze these climographs to develop a general understanding...
Curated OER
Ecosystems and Climate
Students examine climatic effects on ecosystems. They plant tomatoes and observe the differences in plant growth with differences in light. They create picture collages of plants, animals, and insects found in each climate of the U.S.