Green Transportation Lesson: Carbon Emissions
Lesson Plan
45 minutesGrades3, 4, 5Earth and Space Sciences
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Written by Lindsey Pockl, Amber Medina
About this lesson
In this lesson, students explore how plants transform carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis, learn about the greenhouse effect by calculating their ecological footprint, and then brainstorm ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Inquire: Students reflect on what they know about photosynthesis and how plants transform carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Investigate: Students learn about the greenhouse effect and calculate their ecological footprint.
Inspire: Students generate ideas on how to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment, and write a paragraph response.
Inspire: Students generate ideas on how to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment, and write a paragraph response.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson is a good introductory or review lesson on greenhouse gases and carbon footprint.
- This simple greenhouse effect experiment can be done alongside the lesson.
- This lesson connects to science standards and the understanding of the relationship between human activities and the Earth.
- This lesson features interaction with technology and digital literacy.
- This lesson and unit includes vocabulary development and a separate vocabulary slide deck.
- The paragraph writing activity can be adapted to specific skills or formats.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 1 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Green Transportation unit.
- If students do not have a prior understanding of photosynthesis, it may be best to do a mini-lesson on photosynthesis.
Differentiation
- Definitions can be broken down for a friendlier understanding.
- Teachers can pause the videos to check for understanding and explain new ideas.
- Questions on the ecological footprint calculator quiz can be read aloud to students and taken as a whole class.
- The paragraph writing in the Inspire section includes four sentence starters on the Teacher Slideshow. Teachers can provide a printed template with the sentence starters.
- Students can use these interactive activity cards to learn more about greenhouse gases.
From the scientist review
Students understand key greenhouse gases that cause global warming, explain the greenhouse effect, identify carbon sources from the various transportation modes, and explore ways to reduce their individual carbon footprint from the transportation sector. All materials are well-sourced. As a result, this lesson has passed the science credibility process and is recommended for teaching.
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About the teacher writers
Lindsey Pockl
Lindsey worked with SubjectToClimate to develop accompanying materials for lesson plans for grades 3-12.
Amber Medina
Elementary School Teacher
Amber is a third grade elementary school teacher who has taught ELA, Environmental Education, and SEL. With a degree in Environmental Policy and Planning, her passion for environmental justice and action integrated curriculum led her to her commitment to climate education.
