This resource is an up-to-the-second assessment of human-induced global warming, which also includes several graphs to explain the reasons behind the increase in temperatures.
Students will learn about the historical data that has led to the temperature increase and what other factors contribute to global warming.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource is an eye-opening look at just how quickly human activity is impacting the Earth's temperature; students can see the increase in just a few seconds.
While complex mathematical data is provided, the explanations are clear and easy to understand.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be able to read graphs and there is an algebraic equation included in the text to explain the calculation.
There are links to additional information provided for more context.
Differentiation
In math classes, consider using the graphs, equation, or ticker at the top to predict future warming and graph those predictions.
In science classes, consider using the data sets as a discussion starter. What do students feel looking at the ticker at the top of the screen? What data is surprising to them? What is not surprising?
This resource lends itself well to a "turn and talk," where students partner up to share their thoughts after each section of the resource.
Other related resources include this video about global warming, this interactive resource about global temperatures, and this video about the difference between weather and climate change.
Scientist Notes
This continuously updated resource presents the latest estimate of the cumulative human-induced global warming averaged across our planet. This resource presents trackers and graphs that compare human and natural influences on our global temperature, and descriptions and resources are provided for further study. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-5 Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
HS-ESS3-5 Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.2 Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; summarize complex concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler but still accurate terms.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.10 By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)
Expressions & Equations (6-8)
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.EE.A.2 Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters stand for numbers.
