Climate, SEL, and Media Literacy for Our Youngest Students

Lesson Plans

GradesK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Science, English Language Arts

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Project Look Sharp

Open Resource

What it is

In this lesson, students will view the children's book, "To Change a Planet," discuss how the book makes them feel, and analyze the creators' purpose in producing this book.
This resource includes a detailed lesson plan, printable and digital presentation materials, and plenty of ideas for differentiation.
Students will learn about how books portray climate change and how messaging around our changing climate impacts individuals.

Teaching tips

Positives

This resource has everything needed for in-class implementation.
Students in a wide variety of literacy lessons will find success in this lesson, as the emoji Mad Libs activity requires little reading or writing to reflect and share.

Additional Prerequisites

To download print and media materials, teachers must make an easy-to-create, free account.
Students should have an emerging understanding of our changing climate.

Differentiation

This lesson would work equally well in a language arts or science classroom. Teachers can make cross-curricular connections in social health or SEL classes learning about climate change impacts or emotional literacy.
If you own a copy (or have library access) of the text used in the lesson, consider using it for a reading piece in the days leading up to this lesson.
After completing the Mad Libs activity, have students share their reflections and feelings.
As an extension, have students bring home their reflections along with a discussion guide that helps families discuss the emotions associated with climate change.
The "How to Use These Materials" PDF includes many ideas for additional differentiation.

From the scientist review

Climate change impacts us physically and mentally, and it is important to address both realms. This resource uses a children's book that is easy for young learners to understand and accurately depicts the reality of climate change.

How we review resources

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At a glance

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Subjects: Science, English Language Arts
Other types: Activity - Classroom, Worksheets, Presentation Slides, Ebooks
Format: PDF, Microsoft Powerpoint
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Project Look Sharp
Authors: Project Look Sharp
Published: October 26, 2023
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · K-ESS3-3. + 78 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

K-ESS3-3.K-ESS3-3. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.4CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.4 Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.2 Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.5CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.5 Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.7CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.7 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

K-ESS3-3.K-ESS3-3. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of climate change and humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
RL.CR.1.1RL.CR.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a literary text (e.g., who, what, where, when, why, how).
RL.CI.2.2RL.CI.2.2 Recount a text in oral and written form and determine central message (in literary texts, e.g. fables and folktales from diverse cultures).
RL.MF.2.6RL.MF.2.6 With prompting and support, use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
RL.IT.3.3RL.IT.3.3 Describe the development of individual character’s traits, motivations, or feelings and explain how their actions contribute to the plot within a text.
RL.TS.3.4RL.TS.3.4 Utilize and reference features of a text when writing or speaking about a text, referring to parts of stories, dramas, and poems, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
RL.MF.5.6RL.MF.5.6 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).
SL.II.1.2SL.II.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

K.RF.4K.RF.4 Read emergent-reader texts to develop fluency and comprehension skills.
1.RL.11.RL.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
1.RL.21.RL.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
1.RL.31.RL.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
1.SL.21.SL.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
2.RL.22.RL.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
2.RL.72.RL.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
3.RL.33.RL.3 Describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
3.RL.53.RL.5 Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
5.RL.75.RL.7 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text.
K.ESS3.3K.ESS3.3 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

SL.1.2SL.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
K-ESS3-3.K-ESS3-3. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, or other living things in the local environment.
RF.K.4RF.K.4 Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
R.1.1R.1.1 Develop and answer questions about key ideas and details in a text. (RI&RL)
R.1.2R.1.2 Identify a main topic or central idea in a text with guidance and support; retell important details. (RI&RL)
R.1.3R.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and important events in a story or pieces of information in a text. (RI&RL)
R.2.7R.2.7 Demonstrate understanding of story elements and/or topics by applying information gained from illustrations or text features. (RI&RL)
R.3.3R.3.3 Describe a character (traits, motivations, and/or feelings) drawing on specific details from the text. (RL) Describe the relationship among a series of events, ideas, concepts, or steps in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect. (RI)
R.3.5R.3.5 Identify parts of stories, dramas, and poems using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza. (RL) Identify and use text features to build comprehension. (RI)
R.5.7R.5.7 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning of literary and informational texts. (RI&RL)

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

K-ESS3-3K-ESS3-3 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
R.K.4R.K.4 Read various texts closely to determine what each text explicitly says and to make logical inferences; cite specific textual evidence to support conclusions drawn from the texts.
R.1.6R.1.6 Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
R.3.6R.3.6 Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

K-ESS3-3.K-ESS3-3. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on living organisms and non-living things in the local environment.
1R1:1R1: Develop and answer questions about key ideas and details in a text. (RI&RL)
2R7:2R7: Demonstrate understanding of story elements and/or topics by applying information gained from illustrations or text features. (RI&RL)
3R3:3R3: In literary texts, describe character traits, motivations, or feelings, drawing on specific details from the text. (RL) In informational texts, describe the relationship among a series of events, ideas, concepts, or steps in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect. (RI)
3R5:3R5: In literary texts, identify parts of stories, dramas, and poems using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza. (RL) In informational texts, identify and use text features to build comprehension. (RI)
5R7:5R7: Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to meaning of literary and informational texts. (RI&RL)

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.4CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.4 Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.5CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.5 Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.7CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.7 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).
K-ESS3-3.K-ESS3-3. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

K-ESS3-3.K-ESS3-3. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

K-ESS3-3K-ESS3-3 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
RL.1.1.RL.1.1. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RL.2.2.RL.2.2. Recount stories including fables and folktales from diverse cultures and determine their central message lesson or moral.
RL.2.7.RL.2.7. Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters setting or plot.
RL.3.3.RL.3.3. Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
RL.3.5.RL.3.5. Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
RL.5.7.RL.5.7. Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).
RSFK.K.4.RSFK.K.4. Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
SL.1.2.SL.1.2. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

RL.1.1.RL.1.1. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RL.2.2.RL.2.2. Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
RL.2.7.RL.2.7. Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
RL.3.3.RL.3.3. Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
RL.3.5.RL.3.5. Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
RL.5.7.RL.5.7. Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).
RF.K.4.RF.K.4. Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
SL.1.2.SL.1.2. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
K-ESS3-3.K-ESS3-3. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

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What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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