Climate Migrants' Voices

Positives

• This lesson aligns with Hawai’i’s Nā Hopena A'o HĀ-BREATH Framework.

• Students gain skills that are applicable in multiple disciplines, such as identifying types of sources, finding the main idea of an article, and determining the best sources for their informational needs.

• Students draw connections between creative poetry and nonfiction texts.

• Students gain experience in researching and creating texts to inform others.

Additional Prerequisites

• There is a discrepancy between the text of the poem "Two Degrees" (Jetn̄il-Kijiner's website, Student Document) and the version performed by Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner in the video linked in the Inspire section. The official text from Jetn̄il-Kijiner's website is on the Student Document.

• Students should be familiar with primary and secondary sources. If the class needs more detailed discussion, this video provides further explanation.
• Teacher should preview resources and be familiar with the poem before the class discussion.
• Students will need to be adept at researching, opening links, and looking at resources on their own.
• Students need access to laptops or tablets and must have a connection to the Internet.

Differentiation

• Many parts of the lesson can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups, such as reading the articles or creating the posters.

• Students could also write a poem or add some creative elements to their posters.

• The two videos in the Investigate section can be cut. Students can still read the two articles in the Investigate section.

• In order to cut down on research time, the teacher can provide a list of resources, such as the ones below.

  • The World's First Climate Change Refugees
  • Alaska Native Community Relocates as Climate Crisis Ravages Homes

This lesson introduces students to the concept of climate migration and the effects it has on the Pacific Small Island Developing States. The videos and instructional materials on climate migration will also help them determine the sort of data source (primary or secondary) and how these data sources spread the message to a larger audience. Most significantly, students will learn presentation skills for delivering facts regarding climate migration and its effects and ways to amplify the voices, climate stories, and perspectives of the Indigenous peoples to a variety of audiences on posters. We fact-checked the instructional materials, and this lesson passed our science review.

Primary Standards

• Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
  • Reading: History/Social Studies (6-12)
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.5 Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.6 Compare the point of view of two or more authors for how they treat the same or similar topics, including which details they include and emphasize in their respective accounts.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.9 Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.

Supporting Standards

• College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
  • Dimension 1: Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries
    • D1.5.9-12 Determine the kinds of sources that will be helpful in answering compelling and supporting questions, taking into consideration multiple points of view represented in the sources, the types of sources available, and the potential uses of the sources.
• Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
  • Writing: History, Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.