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Media Literacy and Climate Change Lesson Plan

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OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDE1Media Literacyand Climate Change Lesson PlanLength: Approx. two 50-min.class periodsDescription: Develop media literacy skills by examining why disagreement about climate change exists and how authority shapes understanding. Through reading, video analysis, and claim-testing activities, students learn to assessthe credibility of sources, analyze climate-related claims, and develop tools for critically evaluating information about complex issues like climate change.Note: Linked sample answers require a free teacher log-in. Click hereto sign up or log in.Learning Objectives:•Analyze why disagreement about climate change exists.•Identify what makes a source of information credible.•Critically evaluate common climate-change claims.Day 1: Climate Disagreement•Opener:Explore the claim testers to help evaluate statementsand supporting evidenceabout climate change in the activity Introduction to Claim Testers.Findkey idea questions and sample answers for this activityhere.•Read: The article “Understanding Climate Change Disagreement” breaks downs the political, economic, and social reasons why it can be so difficult to agree when it comes to climate change. Find key idea questions and sample answers for this article here.•Do: Students complete the activity Claim Testing: Evaluating Authorityto practice different strategies for evaluating authority and testing claims.Find sample answers for this activityhere.•Do: Craft a claim in response to this question: Why is it important to evaluate the authority of a source?
OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDE2Day 2: Practicing Authority•Watch:Students view the video Why Fish Farmers Need a Better Weather Forecastto explore how innovations can help overcome obstacles caused by climate change.Then,they complete the activity Claim Testing: Practicing Authoritytopractice what they’ve learned and evaluate the authority behind the video.Find key idea questions and sample answers for these materialshere.•Discuss: In small groups or as a class, discuss: What is one question you think people should always ask themselves before accepting or sharing information about climate change—or any complex issue?Explore FurtherWant more? Check out these resources:•Article: “How Do We Know Climate Change Is Real?”•Activity: Claim Testing: Earth’s Climate Record