Data Puzzle: Megafire - Rare Occurrences or the New Normal?
Provided by: Center for Education Engagement and Evaluation|Published on: April 19, 2024
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Center for Education Engagement and Evaluation
Region: North America, United States
Languages: English
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 →
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 →
Synopsis
- 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 Materials
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.
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.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
