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Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!
Teaching About Climate Change: Why Does the Source Matter?
Provided by: Project Look Sharp |Published on: April 27, 2021
Lesson Plans Grades 6-8, 9-12, ap-college
Synopsis
- In this media literacy activity, students will analyze two letters, one from the National Science Teachers Association and one from the Heartland Institute, which offer conflicting perspectives on teaching climate change.
- Students will decode the messages from the two organizations and investigate the organizations' motivations.
- This resource includes a lesson plan and a student handout.
Subjects: Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts
Authors: Project Look Sharp, Cindy Kramer & Sox Sperry
Region: North America, United States
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The lesson plan includes discussion questions for several academic subjects.
- This unique activity allows students to see how the education system can be vulnerable to propaganda and disinformation about climate change.
Additional Prerequisites
- Teachers must create a free account to access the materials.
- Teachers may want to go over this handout on analyzing media messages before students start this activity.
Differentiation
- Students could respond to questions individually or in small groups before discussing their answers as a class.
- English language arts classes could examine the tactics used in both letters to persuade the reader. Students could also identify the tone and the syntax in each letter.
- Civics and government classes could use this activity in a lesson about propaganda.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on strategies to make people doubt the realities of climate change and this lesson on how to have productive conversations about climate change.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Project Look Sharp
Project Look Sharp is a nonprofit, mission-driven outreach program of Ithaca College. Their mission is to help K-16 educators enhance students' critical thinking, metacognition, and civic engagement through media literacy materials and professional development.
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
