Elementary GLOBE Climate Module
Activity - Classroom
GradesK, 1, 2, 3, 4Science, English Language Arts, Spanish, French
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 →
Provided by Elementary GLOBE
What it is
- This module introduces young students to weather, climate, and sea level rise through an illustrated book, hands-on experiments and activities, and coloring pages.
- There are a number of great teaching tips provided for the activities to help students apply their knowledge, predict outcomes, and learn about the impacts of climate change in a dynamic and fun way.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This module includes many fun, hands-on activities and an engaging picture book that introduces many weather and climate topics.
- The book is available in several formats and languages, and there are plenty of usage tips on the introductory page.
Additional Prerequisites
- Some of the classroom activities require materials such as interlocking cubes (like those used in elementary math classes), wooden blocks, a thermometer, glue sticks, a camera, photos of coastal areas, clear plastic or glass containers, play dough, sand, pebbles, food coloring, measuring cups, and pennies.
- Younger students may only be able to complete portions of the module, so review all of the materials to select the sections or activities that will suit your students.
Differentiation
- This module would work best in the order it is presented on the module homepage, with the coloring pages used as needed anywhere in the unit.
- One thought-provoking quote from the book that could be posted in the classroom is "Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get." Encourage students to post their reflections and ideas surrounding this concept.
- For older elementary students, consider using the classroom activities as stations in the classroom for students to rotate through.
- As an extension, create a weather tracking station in your classroom for students to track weather conditions for the remainder of the school year and then have them compare their recorded conditions to the averages.
From the scientist review
This resource from the GLOBE Program is a full module designed for teaching students in grades K-4 about climate change. An excellent story book follows young student scientists as they travel from their home in Boston to Greenland and then to the Maldives, learning about the difference between weather and climate and making their own observations at each stop, before returning to school where they participate in a virtual science fair. The website and end of the book feature great teacher resources and notes to help educators guide students through this module. Three activities empower students to better understand weather and the climate, focusing on year-long observations and cause and effect in the global system. This module introduces students to important terms, describes how everyone can take action to mitigate climate change, and even includes some fun coloring pages. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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