Data Puzzle: Megafire - Rare Occurrences or the New Normal?
Lesson Plans
Grades6, 7, 8Biology, 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 Center for Education Engagement and Evaluation
What it is
- In this lesson, students explore how changing climate conditions and land management practices have impacted the number of megafires in the United States.
- Students will read text, watch videos, analyze and interpret maps and graphs, draw diagrams, and construct a model to consolidate their learning.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will gain an understanding of how humans interact with and impact the environment.
- The lesson highlights Indigenous perspectives and knowledge about wildfire prevention.
- The resource includes everything teachers need to use this lesson in the classroom.
Additional Prerequisites
- This lesson requires about 120 minutes but this can be split over multiple class periods.
- Teachers should print the student worksheet to make it easier for students to draw their diagrams. If this is not possible, the worksheet can be provided digitally and students can use digital drawing tools.
- Students should have a basic understanding of climate change and the water cycle.
- If you are in an area that has wildfires, be conscious of the experiences and trauma students may have around this topic.
- Ads may play before the videos.
Differentiation
- Students can share their models with a small group and discuss similarities and differences between them. Alternatively, students can share the models in a gallery walk and discuss them as a class.
- The Teacher Guide ends with links to a video, article, and podcast that can be used to extend learning.
- Cross-curricular connections can be made with social studies classes when learning about the Indigenous methods of wildfire prevention and with geography classes through reading and interpreting the maps.
From the scientist review
The resource highlights the impacts of megafires in the US and will allow students to learn about sustainable land management practices under a changing climate. This resource has passed our science review.
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