Climate Course Outline
OER PROJECT: CLIMATEUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Big History Course Plan”, OER Project, www.oerproject.com/OER Project: Climate Course OutlineContentsOER Project: Climate Course Outline ............................................................................................................ 1Unit 1: Introduction to Climate Change........................................................................................................ 2Lesson 1.1: Understanding Climate Change .................................................................................................... 2Lesson 1.2: Climate Disagreement .................................................................................................................. 2Lesson 1.3: The Case for Climate Optimism .................................................................................................... 2Lesson 1.4: International Climate Goals .......................................................................................................... 3Lesson 1.5: The History of Climate Change ..................................................................................................... 3Unit 2: The Impacts of Climate Change ........................................................................................................ 4Lesson 2.1: Evaluating Climate Impacts ........................................................................................................... 4Lesson 2.2: Direct Impacts of Climate Change ................................................................................................ 4Lesson 2.3: Indirect Impacts of Climate Change .............................................................................................. 5Lesson 2.4: Climate Vocabulary ....................................................................................................................... 5Unit 3: Adaptation and Innovation .............................................................................................................. 6Lesson 3.1: Evaluating Climate Solutions ......................................................................................................... 6Lesson 3.2: Climate Change Adaptation .......................................................................................................... 6Lesson 3.3: The Need for Climate Innovation .................................................................................................. 7Lesson 3.4: Effective Climate Action ................................................................................................................ 7Lesson 3.5: The Cost of Decarbonizing ............................................................................................................ 7Unit 4: Decarbonization............................................................................................................................... 8Lesson 4.1: The Grand Challenges ................................................................................................................... 8Lesson 4.2: Decarbonization Solutions ............................................................................................................ 8Lesson 4.3: Implementing Decarbonization Strategies ................................................................................... 9Lesson 4.4: A Climate Future ........................................................................................................................... 9Unit 5: Taking Action................................................................................................................................. 10Lesson 5.1: Climate Action: Careers .............................................................................................................. 10Lesson 5.2: Climate Action: Solutions Presentation ...................................................................................... 10Lesson 5.3: Climate Action: Policy ................................................................................................................. 11Lesson 5.4: Climate Action: Civic Action ........................................................................................................ 11
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.2Unit 1: Introduction to Climate ChangeUnit 1 Driving Question: What is climate change and how can we accurately evaluate the information surrounding it?Unit 1 Learning Objectives1.Understand the basics of climate change including its causes and effects2.Use claim-testing skills to evaluate information surrounding climate change.3.Assess reasons for optimism in the face of climate change.4.Analyze the strengths and challenges of international climate targets.Lesson 1.1: Understanding Climate ChangeLesson 1.1 DQ: What is climate change?1.Opener: Understanding Climate Changea.Opener: Climate Change Is...2.What Do We Mean When We Talk About Climate Change?a.Video: What is Climate Change?b.Activity: Defining Climate Change3.Parts Per Million a.Infographic: Small Parts Big Impacts4.Fact or Fiction?a.Activity: Introduction to Claim Testers5.The Climate Pioneera.Graphic Biography: Eunice Foote6.The Evidence of Climate Changea.Article: “How Do We Know Climate Change Is Real?” b.Activity: Claim Testing: Earth’s Climate Record7.Current Eventsa.Article: “Climate Currents Newsletter”8.Closer: Understanding Climate Changea.Closer: Climate Change Will...Lesson 1.2: Climate DisagreementLesson 1.2 DQ: Why can it be so difficult to agree when it comes to climate change?1.Opener: Climate Disagreementa.Opener: Claim-Tester Review2.Why Do We Still Disagree?a.Article: “Understanding Climate Change Disagreement” 3.Who Can You Trust?a.Activity: Claim Testing: Evaluating Authority4.Closer: Climate Disagreementa.Closer: Exploring Climate DisagreementLesson 1.3: The Case for Climate OptimismLesson 1.3 DQ: Why should we be optimistic when it comes to climate change?
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.31.Opener: The Case for Climate Optimisma.Opener: Worst Day Ever?2.Climate Optimisma.Video: A Case for Optimismb.Activity: Optimism Quote Analysis 3.Optimist or Doomer?a.Article: “The Need for Climate Optimists: A Hopeful Generation or a Fearful One?”b.Activity: How Optimistic Are You?4.Perspective Writinga.Activity: Optimism Personal Statement5.Closer: The Case for Climate Optimisma.Closer: A New PerspectiveLesson 1.4: International Climate GoalsLesson 1.4 DQ: How can setting effective goals help us address climate change?1.Opener: International Climate Goalsa.Opener: Data Investigation2.Who Should Act?a.Infographic: Who Caused Climate Change?b.Activity: Investigating Global Perspectives3.Global Policy Recorda.Video: International Climate Agreements: Crash Course Climate & Energy #10b.Graphic Biography: Al Gorec.Activity: Global Policy Exploration4.International Warming Targetsa.Article: “Understanding 1.5° Celsius”5.How Can We Meet Our Goals?a.Activity: From Policy to Action6.Closer: International Climate Goalsa.Closer: Setting Effective Goals7.Extension: Unit 1 Assessment: Introduction to Climate Changea.Assessment: Pre–Writing: Introduction to Climate Changeb.Assessment: DBQ Sources: Introduction to Climate Changec.Assessment: Writing: Introduction to Climate ChangeLesson 1.5: The History of Climate ChangeLesson 1.5 DQ: What can the history of climate change teach us about the present and future?1.Opener: The History of Climate Changea.Opener: Natural Disasters 2.The Long History of Climate Change a.Video: Climate History and Our Futureb.Activity: Climate Change and Human History3.Industry and Our Planet a.Article: “The Industrial Revolution and Climate Change”b.Activity: Urbanization Game4.The History of Environmentalism
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.4a.Article: “Environmentalism”b.Activity: Climate Timelinec.Graphic Biography: Teddy Roosevelt5.Closer: The History of Climate Changea.Closer: Visions of the Future: Climate6.Extension: Early Environmental Activisma.Graphic Biography: Eunice Footeb.Graphic Biography: George Washington CarverUnit 2: The Impacts ofClimate ChangeUnit 2 Driving Question: What are the impacts of climate change?Unit 2 Learning Objectives1.Describe direct and indirect climate impacts. 2.Analyze the impact of climate change on ecosystems and people across various regions. 3.Describe the effects of climate change at the personal and community levels. 4.Define key climate-related terms and understand their usage in context.Lesson 2.1: Evaluating Climate ImpactsLesson 2.1 DQ: How will climate change affect us?1.Opener: Evaluating Climate Impactsa.Opener: Climate Impacts Brainstorm2.Current and Future Climate Effectsa.Video: How Will Climate Change Continue to Affect Us?: Crash Course Climate & Energy #8b.Activity: Impacts Personal Inventory3.Understanding Climate Impactsa.Article: “The Impacts of Climate Change” b.Activity: Climate Ripple Effects 4.Eruption Impactsa.Video: The Year Without a Summerb.Activity: Mt. Tambora Eruption Impacts5.Climate Impacts Case Studya.Activity: Climate Change Impacts Around the Worldb.Visual Aid: Climate Change Impacts Profiles6.Closer: Evaluating Climate Impactsa.Closer: Individual ImpactsLesson 2.2: Direct Impacts of Climate ChangeLesson 2.2 DQ: How is climate change affecting natural systems?1.Opener: Direct Impacts of Climate Changea.Opener: Direct Impacts Review2.Measuring Impactsa.Infographic: Does Half a Degree Really Matter?b.Activity: Writing: Does It Matter?
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.53.Climate Impacts Dataa.Article: “Climate Impacts: Sea–Level Rise” b.Activity: Direct Impacts Research4.The Green Saharaa.Video: The Sahara Desert Used to Be...Green?!b.Activity: Jungle to Desert?5.Climate Mapsa.Activity: Mapping a Climate Future6.Closer: Direct Impacts of Climate Changea.Closer: Direct Impacts and YouLesson 2.3: Indirect Impacts of Climate ChangeLesson 2.3 DQ: How is climate change affecting people?1.Opener: Indirect Impacts of Climate Changea.Opener: Expanding Impacts2.Exploring Risksa.Activity: Climate Vulnerabilityb.Graphic Biography: Sheila Watt-Cloutier3.Assessing Correlation and Causationa.Activity: Correlation vs. Causation4.Climate and Human Health a.Activity: The Health Impacts of Climate Change5.Exploring Climate Justicea.Activity: What Is Climate Justice?b.Video: Are Natural Disasters Actually Natural?: Crash Course Climate & Energy #96.Climate and Diseasea.Infographic: This Bites!b.Activity: Climate and Health: What’s the Evidence?7.Closer: Indirect Impacts of Climate Changea.Closer: The Billion Dollar Problem8.Extension: Unit 2 Assessment: The Impacts of Climate Changea.Assessment: Pre–Writing: The Impacts of Climate Changeb.Assessment: DBQ Sources: The Impacts of Climate Changec.Assessment: Writing: The Impacts of Climate ChangeLesson 2.4: Climate VocabularyLesson 2.4 DQ: What vocabulary do we need to talk about climate change?1.Opener: Climate Vocabulary a.Opener: Word Mismatch2.Vocab Gamesa.Activity: Climate Vocab Word Wheel3.Test Your Knowledgea.Activity: Climate Vocab Trivia4.Climate Vocabularya.Closer: Climate Mad Libs5.Extension: Vocab Organizer
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.6a.Activity: Climate Vocab Tracker Unit 3: Adaptation and InnovationUnit 3 Driving Question: How can we leverage innovation and action to respond to climate change?Unit 3 Learning Objectives1.Describe the difference between adaptation and mitigation solutions and assess the need for each in responding to climate change.2.Evaluate different adaptation strategies and advocate for one that will be most impactful.3.Evaluate the role of innovation in reaching climate goals.4.Describe how individuals, businesses, and governments can effectively address climate change.5.Understand the concept of the green premium as a tool for climate action. Lesson 3.1: Evaluating Climate SolutionsLesson 3.1 DQ: How can we respond to climate change?1.Opener: Evaluating Climate Solutionsa.Opener: Categorizing Climate Solutions2.Addressing Climate Causes and Impactsa.Article: “How Can We Take on Climate Change?” b.Activity: Evaluating Strategies3.Adaptation or Mitigation?a.Activity: Exploring Climate Solutions4.What Is Geoengineering?a.Podcast: “Smog Cloud Silver Linings”b.Activity: Geoengineering Debate5.Closer: Evaluating Climate Solutionsa.Closer: Funding Climate Solutions Lesson 3.2: Climate Change AdaptationLesson 3.2 DQ: How can we adapt to climate change?1.Opener: Climate Change Adaptationa.Opener: Adaptation Brainstorm2.Where Can We Adapt?a.Activity: Adaptation Areasb.Slideshow: Unpacking Adaptation Areas3.How Should We Adapt?a.Article: “Adaptation Solutions” b.Graphic Biography: Wangari Maathaic.Activity: Evaluating Adaptation Solutions4.Weather Intelligencea.Video: Why Fish Farmers Need a Better Weather Forecastb.Activity: Claim Testing: Practicing Authority5.Adapting Urban Spacesa.Infographic: Resilient Cities
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.7b.Activity: Urban Design Challenge6.Investigating Adaptation Solutions a.Activity: Adaptation Solution Research7.Closer: Climate Change Adaptationa.Closer: Community SolutionsLesson 3.3: The Need for Climate InnovationLesson 3.3 DQ: What’s the role of innovationin addressing climate change? 1.Opener: The Need for Climate Innovation a.Opener: A History of Innovation2.Defining Innovation a.Activity: What Is Innovation?3.Progress Report a.Article: “The Solutions We Have and the Innovations We Need” b.Activity: What are the Most Important Solutions?4.Climate Innovationsa.Video: Clean Energy: Hydropowerb.Video: Clean Energy: Geothermalc.Video: Clean Energy: Nucleard.Video: Clean Energy: Winde.Video: Clean Energy: Hydrogen5.Climate Innovation a.Video: The Need for Climate Innovatorsb.Activity: Climate Innovation Research6.Closer: The Need for Climate Innovationa.Closer: Climate Innovation BracketLesson 3.4: Effective Climate ActionLesson 3.4 DQ: What does effective climate action look like?1.Opener: Effective Climate Actiona.Opener: Climate Action Sort2.Where Can Action Happen?a.Article: “Working the Levers of Climate Action”b.Activity: Analyzing Climate Action3.Effective Actiona.Video: How Can We Respond to Climate Change? Crash Course Climate & Energy #124.Climate Action Investigation a.Graphic Biographies: Levers of Powerb.Activity: Exploring the Levers of Power5.Closer: Effective Climate Actiona.Closer: Overcoming ObstaclesLesson 3.5: The Cost of DecarbonizingLesson 3.5 DQ: How can we manage the costs of decarbonization?1.Opener: The Cost of Decarbonizing
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.8a.Opener: What’s It Worth?2.Why Does Money Matter?a.Article: “Understanding the Green Premium” 3.What Does the Green Premium Tell Us? a.Infographic: What’s a Green Premium?4.The Cost of Decarbonizinga.Video: Green Premiums: The Extra Cost to Decarbonizeb.Activity: Exploring the Green Premiums5.Policy Analysisa.Activity: Exploring the IRA6.Closer: The Cost of Decarbonizinga.Closer: Product Pitch7.Unit 3 Assessment: Climate Innovationa.Assessment: Pre–Writing: Climate Innovationb.Assessment: DBQ Sources: Climate Innovationc.Assessment: Writing: Climate InnovationUnit 4: DecarbonizationUnit 4 Driving Question: What are the challenges of and solutions to decarbonization?Unit 4 Learning Objectives1.Understand the primary sources of carbon emissions.2.Identify and assess the solutions most important to reducing emissions. 3.Understand the role of global, national, and local policy in reducing emissions. 4.Evaluate the potential future impact of climate change on areas such as health, food, and transportation.Lesson 4.1: The Grand ChallengesLesson 4.1 DQ: What are the Grand Challenges?1.Opener: The Grand Challengesa.Opener: Emissions Image Sort2.Why Do We Release So Many Greenhouse Gases?a.Video: Exploring the Grand Challengesb.Activity: Grand Challenge Image Sort 3.The Five Categories of Emissionsa.Infographic: The Grand Challengesb.Slideshow: Unpacking the Grand Challengesc.Activity: Categorizing Emissions4.Closer: The Grand Challengesa.Closer: Personal Emissions5.Extension: Understanding Emissionsa.Article: “Grand Challenges Overview”Lesson 4.2: Decarbonization SolutionsLesson 4.2 DQ: How can we reduce emissions?
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.91.Opener: Decarbonization Solutionsa.Opener: Solutions Sort2.Reducing Emissionsa.Article: “Solutions to the Grand Challenges” b.Activity: Evaluating Solutions to the Grand Challenges3.Can We Capture Emissions?a.Infographic: Vacuum the Sky: Direct Air Captureb.Activity: Direct Air Capture Evaluation4.Can We Make Electricity Without Fossil Fuels?a.Video: Can We Make Electricity Without Fossil Fuels: Crash Course Climate & Energy #35.Investigating Decarbonization Solutionsa.Activity: Grand Challenge Solutions Research6.Closer: Decarbonization Solutionsa.Closer: Solutions Claim Writing7.Extension: Assessment: Climate Solutionsa.Assessment: Pre–Writing: Climate Solutionsb.Assessment: DBQ Sources: Climate Solutionsc.Assessment: Climate Solutions DebateLesson 4.3: Implementing Decarbonization StrategiesLesson 4.3 DQ: How should we implement decarbonization strategies? 1.Opener: Implementing Decarbonization Strategiesa.Opener: Action Levels Preview2.What’s the Role of Government?a.Video: Why Does Policy Matter?b.Activity: Strategy Analysis3.The Path to Decarbonizationa.Article: “Decarbonization Goals” b.Activity: Decarbonization Policy Exploration 4.Investigating Decarbonization Policiesa.Activity: Implementation Plan 5.Closer: Implementing Decarbonization Strategiesa.Closer: Climate Policy NewsLesson 4.4: A Climate FutureLesson 4.4 DQ: How will climate change shape our future? 1.Opener: A Climate Futurea.Opener: Data Warm–Up2.Envisioning a Climate Future a.Article: “A Climate Future: Health” b.Article: “A Climate Future: Food Systems” c.Article: “A Climate Future: Transportation” d.Activity: Data Investigation: Healthe.Activity: Data Investigation: Food Systemsf.Activity: Data Investigation: Transportation3.Investigating Climate Careers
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.10a.Activity: Climate Expert Exploration 4.Closer: A Climate Futurea.Closer: Climate Future Journal Entry5.Unit 4 Assessment: Decarbonizationa.Assessment: Pre–Writing: Decarbonization b.Assessment: DBQ Sources: Decarbonizationc.Assessment: Writing: DecarbonizationUnit 5: Taking ActionUnit 5 Driving Question:How can you take action to respond to climate change? Unit 5 Learning Objectives1.Use climate-change knowledge to identify a medium and target audience for a civic action campaign.2.Apply argumentation, writing, and communication skills to evaluate and/or execute opportunities for civic action to address climate change.Lesson 5.1: Climate Action: Career sLesson 5.1 DQ: What careers will help us address climate change?1.Opener: Careersa.Opener: Career Interests Exploration2.Jobs of the Futurea.Article: “A Climate Workforce” b.Activity: Climate Impacts and Careers3.Career Investigationa.Activity: Climate Career Exploration b.Activity: Climate Career Presentation4.Closer: Careersa.Closer: Career ReflectionLesson 5.2: Climate Action: Solutions PresentationLesson 5.2 DQ: Which climate solution matters most, and how can you persuade others to support it?1.Opener: Solutions Presentationa.Opener: What Have I Learned?2.What Matters to Your Community?a.Activity: Climate Impacts Interview3.Solutions Investigationa.Activity: Climate Solutions Researchb.Activity: Climate Solutions Presentation4.Closer: Solutions Presentationa.Closer: Presentation Reflection
OER PROJECT: CLIMATECLIMATECOURSE PLANFor teacher instructions and sample answers, hit the hammer icon at the top of each lesson.11Lesson 5.3: Climate Action: PolicyLesson 5.3 DQ: How can policy help us address climate change?1.Opener: Policy a.Opener: Policy Exploration2.Understanding Government Policya.Video: Why Does Policy Matter?b.Activity: Strategy Analysis3.Policy Investigationa.Activity: Climate Policy Analysisb.Activity: Policy Letter Writing4.Closer: Policy a.Closer: Policy ReflectionLesson 5.4: Climate Action: Civic ActionLesson 5.4 DQ: What actions will make a difference in my community?1.Opener: Civic Actiona.Opener: Climate Action Evaluation 2.Student Action Case Studya.Graphic Biographies: Civic Actionb.Activity: Exploring Action Projects3.Civic Action Investigationa.Activity: Civic Action Plan b.Activity: Community Climate Action Plan 4.Closer: Civic Actiona.Closer: Civic Action Reflection