Coastal Flooding and Sea Level Rise (MS unit)

Lesson Plans

Grades6, 7, 8Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Gulf of Maine Research Institute

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What it is

This five-lesson unit plan is the first in a series of three made for students in coastal Maine to find value in their community, understand the impact of sea-level rise on their community, and brainstorm strategies to protect their community from storm surges and flooding.
This first part of the unit series introduces students to the basics of sea level rise and coastal flooding.
Most of the information is for Portland, Maine.

Teaching tips

Positives

The many hands-on activities will keep students engaged throughout the unit.
Students will practice many skills for an authentic purpose.

Prerequisites

Many lessons and activities require teachers to prepare and gather various materials ahead of time.
Students should know that the lunar cycle influences the tides and how to read graphs.
In lesson 2, some of the tools linked from NASA will not work.
Teachers may need to contact a representative from GMRI to get the Planning Forward resources.

Differentiation & Implementation

The many opportunities for group work allow for flexible and strategic grouping based on student needs.
During group work, students can define their group roles based on their skill set.
To make math connections, students can graph the data they collect.
Teachers can make connections to the sustainable development goals by connecting this resource to Goal 13, Climate Action, and explaining how timely climate action will keep sea levels from rising so dramatically.

From the scientist review

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute's three-part learning module on sea level rise offers clear, well-sourced lecture slides that guide students through understanding the science, engaging in community science, and taking action for community resilience. With extensive peer-reviewed sources cited in both slide notes and the teacher guide, along with well-sourced figures, this resource ensures credibility. Its emphasis on empowering students to collect primary data in their communities and providing guidance on effective communication makes it invaluable for educators seeking to teach about sea level rise and community resilience. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Other types: Videos, Assessments, Activity - Classroom, Worksheets, Interactive Media, Presentation Slides, Games, Activity - Outdoors
Format: Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, PDF, YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: North America > United States > Maine
Provider: Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Authors: Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Published: May 24, 2024
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.7.6-8 + 9 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Civ.7.6-8Apply civic virtues and democratic principles in school and community settings.
D2.Civ.11.6-8Differentiate among procedures for making decisions in the classroom, school, civil society, and local, state, and national government in terms of how civic purposes are intended.
D2.Civ.13.6-8Analyze the purposes, implementation, and consequences of public policies in multiple settings.
D2.Geo.2.6-8Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.

Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.RP.A.2Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.SP.A.1Understand that statistics can be used to gain information about a population by examining a sample of the population; generalizations about a population from a sample are valid only if the sample is representative of that population. Understand that random sampling tends to produce representative samples and support valid inferences.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

MS-ESS1-1.Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.
MS-ESS3-2.Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ESS3-3.Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-CCC-Systemsand System Models.2. Models can be used to represent systems and their interactions—such as inputs, processes and outputs—and energy, matter, and information flows within systems.

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