Earth's Fever: Understanding Climate Change

Science Grades 5th Grade 11:35 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the fascinating yet critical topic of climate change! Learn about the greenhouse effect, its causes, and what YOU can do to help our planet.

Video Resource

Climate Change for Kids | A fun engaging introduction to climate change for kids

Learn Bright

Duration: 11:35
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Climate vs. Weather
  • The Greenhouse Effect
  • Causes of Climate Change (Fossil Fuels, Farming, Deforestation)
  • Effects of Climate Change
  • Solutions to Climate Change

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to differentiate between weather and climate.
  • Students will be able to explain the greenhouse effect and its role in climate change.
  • Students will be able to identify key human activities that contribute to climate change.
  • Students will be able to describe the potential impacts of climate change on the environment and society.
  • Students will be able to list several actions individuals can take to help mitigate climate change.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students about their understanding of weather and climate. Show the first few seconds of the video to capture their attention and introduce the topic.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the "Climate Change for Kids" video from Learn Bright. Encourage students to take notes on key terms and concepts.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    Facilitate a class discussion based on the video. Use the discussion questions provided below to guide the conversation.
  • Interactive Activity: Climate Change Cause and Effect (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups. Each group is assigned a cause of climate change (e.g., burning fossil fuels, deforestation, farming). Each group will prepare a short presentation describing the cause, its effects, and potential solutions. Groups share their findings with the class.
  • Wrap-up and Action Planning (5 mins)
    Discuss actions students can take individually and collectively to reduce their environmental impact. Encourage them to create personal action plans.

Interactive Exercises

  • Climate Change Cause and Effect
    Students are assigned causes of climate change to research and present on, fostering collaborative learning and deeper understanding.
  • Personal Action Plan
    Students create personalized plans to reduce their environmental impact, promoting individual responsibility and engagement.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the difference between weather and climate?
  • How does the greenhouse effect work?
  • What are some human activities that contribute to climate change?
  • What are some of the potential consequences of climate change?
  • What are some things we can do to help prevent climate change?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Scientific Literacy
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Problem-Solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of these is the BEST description of climate?

Correct Answer: The average weather over a long time.

Question 2:

What is the 'greenhouse effect'?

Correct Answer: The trapping of heat by gases in Earth's atmosphere.

Question 3:

Which of the following releases gases that add to the 'blanket' around the Earth?

Correct Answer: Burning fossil fuels

Question 4:

Why does cutting down trees (deforestation) contribute to climate change?

Correct Answer: Trees absorb carbon dioxide.

Question 5:

Which of these is a possible effect of climate change?

Correct Answer: Rising sea levels.

Question 6:

What is one way you can help reduce climate change?

Correct Answer: Walk or bike more often.

Question 7:

Which gas do cows release that contributes to the greenhouse effect?

Correct Answer: Methane

Question 8:

What are fossil fuels made from?

Correct Answer: Dead plants and animals

Question 9:

What happens when greenhouse gases increase?

Correct Answer: The earth gets warmer

Question 10:

What is a renewable alternative to electricity production?

Correct Answer: Solar power

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The average temperature and conditions in a place over a long period of time is called ________.

Correct Answer: climate

Question 2:

Gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, creating a ________ effect.

Correct Answer: greenhouse

Question 3:

Oil, coal, and natural gas are examples of ________ fuels.

Correct Answer: fossil

Question 4:

Cutting down trees and forests is called ________.

Correct Answer: deforestation

Question 5:

One greenhouse gas that trees absorb is ________.

Correct Answer: carbon dioxide

Question 6:

Melting polar ice affects the habitats of animals that live in the North and ________ Poles.

Correct Answer: South

Question 7:

Using less _________ will cut back on the gases released into the atmosphere.

Correct Answer: transportation

Question 8:

The second largest source of greenhouse gases comes from the production of _________.

Correct Answer: electricity

Question 9:

Walking and biking is a great ________ and a way to reduce emissions.

Correct Answer: exercise

Question 10:

Recycling, reducing, and _________ products will also help the environment.

Correct Answer: reusing

Educational Standards

5.ESS3.1:Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environments. 5.ESS2.1:Develop a model to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact. 5.LS2.2:Use models to explain factors that upset the stability to local ecosystems.

Teaching Materials

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