In this creative activity, students will write a song about climate change solutions.
The resource also links to helpful articles about climate change.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The student handout links to a variety of amateur and professional climate-action songs, as examples.
This activity offers students a chance to work in groups or individually.
Additional Prerequisites
The linked Global Citizen article, "12 Essential Songs for Fighting the Climate Crisis," contains some songs and music videos which may not be appropriate for all students.
Differentiation
Younger students could write lyrics for a familiar tune such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to make the task less daunting.
Older students could make music videos and play them for the class or during a school assembly.
Other resources on this topic include this lesson on hip hop and activism, this activity on writing a climate monologue, and this video on using art for activism.
Scientist Notes
This resource is intended to help students bridge creativity and awareness of climate change by writing a song about it. While some of the example songs provided may exaggerate some aspects, overall the scientific sources are valid. 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.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Writing (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
National Core Arts Standards
Music: Standard 2 - Organize and develop artistic ideas and work
MU:Cr2.1.8b Use standard and/or iconic notation and/or audio/ video recording to document personal rhythmic phrases, melodic phrases, and harmonic sequences.
