Mr. Ahearn
Unit Overview
Climate Change Unit Description
The focus of this unit is to give the students a scientific understanding of the mechanisms, effects, current policies, and what can be done about climate change. Each section includes terms, readings, videos and discussion questions that will provide students an opportunity to discover what is happening with Earth's climate.
Unit Objectives
Given this unit:
1. Students will be able to explain the mechanisms that are causing climate change.
2. Students will be able to understand the Earth's history of climate change.
3. Students will be able to describe the effects that climate change will have on this planet.
4. Students will be able to analyze current policies that the U.S. government has to lessen human's contribution to climate change.
5. Students will be able to formulate ideas on ways in which they can lessen their contribution to climate change.
1. Students will be able to explain the mechanisms that are causing climate change.
2. Students will be able to understand the Earth's history of climate change.
3. Students will be able to describe the effects that climate change will have on this planet.
4. Students will be able to analyze current policies that the U.S. government has to lessen human's contribution to climate change.
5. Students will be able to formulate ideas on ways in which they can lessen their contribution to climate change.
New York State Intermediate Level Science Core Curriculum
Grades 5-8
STANDARD 1—Analysis, Inquiry, and Design
Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.
STANDARD 2—Information Systems
Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information, using appropriate technologies.
STANDARD 6—Interconnectedness: Common Themes Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.
STANDARD 7—Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.
STANDARD 4:
The Living Environment
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
Key Idea 6:
Plants and animals depend on each other and their physical environment.
Key Idea 7:
Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment.
STANDARD 4:
The Physical Setting
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
Key Idea 2:
Many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components of air, water, and land.
Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.
STANDARD 2—Information Systems
Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information, using appropriate technologies.
STANDARD 6—Interconnectedness: Common Themes Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.
STANDARD 7—Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.
STANDARD 4:
The Living Environment
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
Key Idea 6:
Plants and animals depend on each other and their physical environment.
Key Idea 7:
Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment.
STANDARD 4:
The Physical Setting
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
Key Idea 2:
Many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components of air, water, and land.
Summative Assessment
At the end of the unit the students will create a brochure or Power Point that will be graded using this rubric. The project will show the students knowledge of the science, history, effects, current policy and what can be done about climate change. The students will use their project to lead a discussion with their family about climate change.
