Green Spaces Lesson: Civic Action and Data Analysis
Lesson Plan
45 minutesGrades3, 4, 5Geography
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 Lindsey Pockl, Amber Medina
About this lesson
In this lesson, students apply what they have learned about environmental justice to compare data about median income, race, tree cover, and air pollution in Compton and Pasadena. Students write inequality statements to reflect the data that they extract from maps.
Inquire: Students review information from previous lessons on green spaces and environmental justice.
Investigate: Students compare maps of the two cities of Compton and Pasadena, California, looking at data on median income, race, tree cover, and air pollution to write inequality statements.
Inspire: Students watch a video on youth climate activists and complete their drawings of their ideal green space.
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Suggestions
- This lesson directly shows the relationships among race, income, tree cover, and air pollution.
- It is very powerful when students compare the maps of Compton and Pasadena and begin to connect the dots.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 5 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Green Spaces Unit.
- You will use two maps of Los Angeles during the Investigate phase of the lesson. The best move would probably be to print the maps beforehand. The lesson also calls for plastic sheet protectors and dry-erase markers so students can compare the maps. If you do not have these materials or access to a printer, students can compare the two maps on a device.
- Learning about climate change can bring up strong emotions for students. This resource can help educators have these conversations with students.
- This topic should be treated with sensitivity, as some students may be personally affected by the issues discussed in this lesson.
Differentiation
- Depending on the needs of your students, it may be best to compare the two maps of Los Angeles as an entire class.
- This interactive tree equity game can be used to extend the lesson.
- For more lessons on environmental justice, check out these resources.
- To learn more about youth climate activists, students can research groups like Zero Hour, Fridays for Future, or the Sunrise Movement.
- Higher-level students can compare maps in another lesson designed for 6th-8th graders called Redlining & Environmental Racism.
For more math lessons on the benefits of trees, check out this unit on big trees and erosion.
From the scientist review
This lesson provides basic knowledge on how trees sink CO2 and give off O2. Trees are one of the key solutions to draw down CO2, and students learn how to interpret and analyze tree maps in relation to environmental justice and the right action to green their environment. This lesson, including additional links, is properly cited. In this light, we recommend this lesson for classroom use.
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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.
