Climate Anxiety: SEL Resource for Teachers
Bundle
30 minutesGradesK-12English Language Arts, Health
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 →
Written by Emily Townsend
About this activity
In this resource, teachers can learn how to handle students' anxiety with understanding while providing a safe space to discuss and explore their feelings.
Everything you need to teach it
- Climate Anxiety ToolkitView Activity
Teaching tips
Consider which Before, During, and After actions are right for your class and grade level.
- Move at a pace that is right for your class. Read the students’ body language and pause to address questions and concerns, as needed. Provide the sentence frames for students to describe their feelings and inquiries.
- Use resources from SubjectToClimate or other partner sites that offer lessons and activities about climate change and the natural world that are developmentally appropriate.
- Having a love and appreciation for nature is an important step in understanding climate change.
- Review An Educator's Guide to Climate Emotions from the Climate Psychology Alliance North America for more information.
From the scientist review
Students can learn about eco-anxiety and it's implications. Even when they have experienced any form of anxiety or not, the activity contains reliable resources to help them become more capable, at ease, and motivated to address climate change. After a rigorous assessment, this activity was deemed credible in science.
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About the teacher writer
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Emily Townsend
K-8 ELL Teacher
Emily Townsend is an educator with 15 years of teaching experience as both a general education teacher and an English Language Learner (ELL) specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Drake University and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency from the University of Iowa.
