Becoming Greenhouse Gases
Lesson Plans
Grades6, 7, 8Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences
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Provided by New York DEP
What it is
- In this lesson, students will learn about the top five greenhouse gases by playing a collaborative game where they take on the role of one gas and share information about that gas with their peers.
- After the game, students discuss how greenhouse gases impact the environment, how human actions contribute to emissions, and actions we can take to reduce emissions.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will build critical connections between specific greenhouse gases, human actions, and climate change.
- The lesson plan is thorough, and it includes background information, a lesson outline, discussion questions, and optional extension activities.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should already be comfortable with the greenhouse effect, as this lesson focuses mainly on specific greenhouse gases and their impacts.
- Students will likely need more background information on the other gases, as the video in the first step of the Method section is primarily about carbon. Consider using the descriptions in the Background Information section to create slides or anchor charts.
- In the extension section, the link to the U.S. Geological Survey's activity on GHGs is broken.
Differentiation
- Even though this lesson was designed for New York City students, other students can still find it beneficial. Students can research efforts their city or local organizations are taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- If you are local to New York City, the extension section provides information about a field trip opportunity to visit the Newton Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in Brooklyn.
- Earth science classes can use this lesson to learn about specific greenhouse gases and their contributions to climate change.
- Chemistry classes can use this lesson to learn about the molecular structure of these gases and how their structure contributes to their specific characteristics and heat-trapping capabilities.
- The transcript for the NASA video may benefit ELL students or students who require printed notes.
From the scientist review
This resource from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection provides teachers with an activity to help their students comprehend the five main greenhouses gases contributing to climate change. This resource is well-researched and well-referenced.
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