Discovering Climate Vulnerability

Lesson Plans

Grades9, 10, 11, 12Science, Social Studies

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Grand Valley State University

Open Resource

What it is

In this multi-day lesson, students compare the effects of different global warming scenarios on communities around the world and in Michigan, consider differences in vulnerability, and write fictional narratives to make predictions for the future.
The lesson includes curriculum connections, interactive maps, videos, student worksheets, a writing rubric, and links to all data and maps.

Teaching tips

Positives

Since the maps are included in the packet, students do not need an internet connection to complete it.
The reading guide and book lists are resources teachers can use outside of this lesson.

Prerequisites

For the IPCC Interactive Atlas page, teachers will need to click the second link in the instructions to view the duplicate map. Teachers may also want to open the other two links for precipitation and consecutive dry days and flip between tabs rather than manipulating the map themselves.
Students should know about the causes and effects of climate change.

Differentiation & Implementation

Some students may become overwhelmed if teachers give them the full packet to complete all at once and may benefit from getting the questions for one graph or map at a time.
Science and language arts teachers can collaborate by having students read one of the books from the book list in language arts before they write their fictional story in science. Additionally, language arts teachers can provide guidance for writing the stories.
When doing research for their stories, students may benefit from guided notes or a series of questions to answer as they explore the links.

From the scientist review

This resource is a detailed lesson on climate vulnerability. Initially, students will learn about climate change and how it impacts the weather and environment. Afterward, the focus shifts to climate change’s impacts on humans. These topics will give students a great overview and introduction to climate change and its impacts. The lesson links to many great resources to be used for the activities and as a supplement source of information. These resources have been reviewed. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.

How we review resources

Ready to use it?

Hosted on gvsu.edu

Open Resource

Want this to fit your class?

Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.

At a glance

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Science, Social Studies
Other types: Articles/Websites, Videos, Projects, Assessments, Activity - Classroom, Worksheets, Interactive Media
Format: Google Docs, PDF
Language: English
Location: North America > United States > Michigan
Provider: Grand Valley State University
Authors: Grand Valley State University, Climate Change Education Solutions Network
Published: November 14, 2024
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.5.9-12 + 10 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Civ.5.9-12Evaluate citizens' and institutions' effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level.
D2.Geo.2.9-12Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their political, cultural, and economic dynamics.
D2.Geo.4.9-12Analyze relationships and interactions within and between human and physical systems to explain reciprocal influences that occur among them.

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.7Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

HS-LS2-1.Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.
HS-ESS3-6.Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
HS-LS2-A.Ecosystems have carrying capacities, which are limits to the numbers of organisms and populations they can support. These limits result from such factors as the availability of living and nonliving resources and from such challenges such as predation, competition, and disease. Organisms would have the capacity to produce populations of great size were it not for the fact that environments and resources are finite. This fundamental tension affects the abundance (number of individuals) of species in any given ecosystem. (HS-LS2-1), (HS-LS2-2)
HS-ESS3-D.2.Through computer simulations and other studies, important discoveries are still being made about how the ocean, the atmosphere, and the biosphere interact and are modified in response to human activities. (HS-ESS3-6)

Cookie Preferences

What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

Ready to use it?

Want this to fit your class?

Related Teaching Resources