Provided by: Council on Foreign Relations |Published on: November 29, 2021
Lesson Plans Grades 9-12
Synopsis
This comprehensive multi-lesson unit details the basic science of global warming, the greenhouse effect, water scarcity, energy sources, climate legislation and agreements, climate inequality, mitigation efforts, and climate adaptation.
The module also contains an interactive self-assessment that students can take to gauge their comprehension.
The unit provides students with extensive information on climate change topics including the melting ice sheets, sea level rise, the Paris Agreement, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
A reading list is included for extended learning or research.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be able to comprehend higher-level texts or be paired with a peer who can assist with comprehension.
Students should be familiar with basic climate change terms.
The slide presentations can be easily customized and integrated into your existing lesson materials after you make a copy of the Google Slide files.
Differentiation
Teachers can use the individual sections independently or the entire module as a unit.
Consider putting students in groups to discuss the topics in the discussion guides and then have students write a short reflection paragraph.
Many of the lessons can be used as a cross-curricular activity across subjects such as social studies, science, and geography.
As an extension, have students research this Table of Solutions by Project Drawdown, which provides a long list of solutions that can reduce greenhouse gas concentrations globally.
Social studies or government classes could use sections 9-13 to discuss the challenges faced by this global issue, the achievements made by the Paris Climate Agreement, and how to incorporate accountability with climate mitigation targets.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
CFR Education from the Council on Foreign Relations
CFR Education provides accurate, accessible, authoritative resources that build the knowledge, skills, and perspective high school and higher education students need to understand and engage with today’s most pressing global issues.