Heat: Planetary Balance

• This digital text details the climate characteristics of three different periods in Earth's history: the Late Cretaceous (Dinosaur Earth), Pleistocene (Icehouse Earth), and Holocene (Holocene Earth).
  
• After reading, students will understand that current climate on Earth is a delicate balance and how drastically different the climate has been in the past. 

Positives

• Students have the option to listen rather than read, which is an excellent differentiation tool.
• This resource is broken down is a very reader-friendly and easy to understand way.
• The images of ice-cover can help students imagine what the Earth may have looked like in the past.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should have a basic understanding of climate change and the difference between weather and climate.
  

Differentiation

• This resource lends itself well to a whole-class discussion comparing and contrasting the three climates explained. A guiding question could be, "What are some observable differences between Dinosaur, Icehouse, and Holocene Earth?"
  
• As an extension activity, have students research one of the distinct balances that contributes to Holocene Earth. 
• The read-aloud feature could be a great way to introduce this resource to ESL learners or students with learning differences.
  
• Other related resources include Workings of Heat, A Tour of Temperature, and Maps of Temperature.