The Industrial Revolution and Climate Change Lesson Plan
OER PROJECT / LESSON PLANTEACHING GUIDE1The Industrial Revolutionand 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 industrialization 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.Day 1: Industry and Our PlanetFind key idea questions and sample answers for these materials here.•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?Day 2: Urbanization Game•Do: Students complete the Urbanization Gameactivityto explore the concept of urbanization both as a shift in demographics and as a shift in the physical environment.•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.