History and Climate Change Lesson Plan
OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDE1Historyand Climate Change Lesson PlanLength: Approx. two 50-min.class periodsDescription: For billions of years, Earth’s climate has shaped the evolution of life. But over the past 250, humans have become the biggest force driving climate change. What can the story of our planet’s past teach us about the choices we face today—and the future we want to build?Note: Linked sample answers require a free teacher log-in. Click hereto sign up or log in.Learning Objectives:1.Explore how climate change shaped the past, influences the present, and could impact the future.2.Explain the connection between the Industrial Revolution and today’s climate challenges.3.Analyze how environmental movements worked to protect natural resources and promote conservation.Day 1: Industry and Our Planet•Opener:Students use thequickNatural Disastersactivity to practice identifying causes and breaking down complex events.•Read: Students read the article “The Industrial Revolution and Climate Change” to explore how the industrialeraushered in changes both positive and negative.Find key idea questions and sample answers for this articlehere.•Do:Independently or with a partner, ask students to write a claim in response to thisquestion: Which changes to consumer behavior do you think would have the biggest impact on reducing emissions?
OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDE2Day 2: The History of Environmentalism•Read:Students read the article “Environmentalism” to dig into the history of environmentalism, and how it’s gotten us to where we are today.Find key idea questions and sample answers for this article here.•Do: Students complete the Climate Timelineactivityto think about why climate awareness hasn’t always led to significant change.•Closer: Students complete the short activity Visions of the Future: Climateto make predictions for what they think is coming based on what they’ve learned.Explore FurtherWant more? Check out these resources:•Video: Climate History and Our Future•Graphic Biography: Eunice Foote•Graphic Biography: George Washington Carver