Youth Climate Story: Drought in California
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Economics
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Provided by ACE
What it is
- In this video, Jonathan talks about how the long-term drought in California has affected his family in Watsonville.
- He and his family work on farms and their livelihoods depend on the ability of those farms to produce crops.
- The lesson plan and student worksheet are focused on the effects of climate change on agriculture in the United States and the reciprocal effects of agriculture on climate change.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This is a very personal and relatable narrative about the effects of drought on farming families.
Additional Prerequisites
- The video is accessible to the public but teachers must create a free account to access the lesson plan and other materials.
Differentiation
- Biology and science classes could use this video as a hook for lessons about the water cycle, photosynthesis, trophic levels, the carbon cycle, or cellular respiration.
- The accompanying lesson plan utilizes an inquiry-based framework to explore the effects of changing weather patterns on various crops grown in the United States.
- Social studies classes could use this video as an example of the unequal effects of climate change on vulnerable communities.
- Other resources related to this topic include this interactive data resource about the environmental impacts of food, the U.S. Drought Monitor, and this interactive Table of Solutions.
From the scientist review
This resource is suitable and recommended for teaching.
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