Agriculture and Climate Change Learning Lab Lessons
Lesson Plans
Grades9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by The Climate Initiative
What it is
- In this 6-lesson unit, students will learn about the impacts of agriculture on climate change, the effects of climate change on agriculture, and some innovative agricultural solutions.
- Students will explore a virtual classroom, watch the "Kiss the Ground" documentary about regenerative agriculture, explore and write case studies on agricultural solutions, analyze data and learn about its use in agricultural production, explore agriculture in their community, interview stakeholders about local farming practices, and design a community action project.
- This is a companion resource for the student lab.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The sample interview in this unit's fifth lesson shows a stakeholder who is very passionate about their role in regenerative agriculture.
- Students will also find the video of the fishbowl conversation with the older generation fascinating, especially those in Minnesota or the Midwest who can compare the interviewees' memories of the climate with the current reality.
Prerequisites
- Students should have a basic understanding of the causes of climate change and know how to read graphs.
- The links for some of the case study examples are broken and the link for slowtheriseme in Lesson 6 does not exist.
- The videos for the coffee talks in the lesson 5 presentation slides are not playable, but teachers can use the videos in the teacher guide.
- There is one brief reference to "wacky tobacky" in the first coffee chat video in Lesson 5.
Differentiation & Implementation
- In Lesson 2, teachers can differentiate based on reading level and assign the example case studies accordingly, as they vary in length and complexity.
- If teachers know of local agricultural locations using regenerative practices, they can make community connections by taking students on a field trip or inviting the farmers to come and speak to their class.
- Teachers can extend the discussion of agricultural impacts on climate by also discussing the impacts on people who live near or work in factory farms.
- Students can explore plant-based diets and their impact on the climate.
From the scientist review
This resource focuses on how climate change is affecting agriculture and uses many case studies in support. All sources are properly cited and many are peer-reviewed. Sound science is used to empower students to serve as climate advocates in their communities, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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