SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about particle pollution.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces students to gain elementary knowledge about air pollution, its sources, and implications on air quality. It provides critical insights on the impacts it has on low-income communities of Los Angeles. The lesson materials are well-written and cited. Thus, this lesson has passed our science review.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson dives deeper into the concept of air pollution and how to monitor air quality.
-This lesson involves movement and allows kids to have fun while learning about something serious.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-You will need to prepare the appropriate materials for The Cilia Game before class begins.
-The Cilia Game is quite silly. Be prepared for some laughs as the "cilia" try to defend the "lungs"!
-Cilia are tiny hair-like structures in our respiratory system that protect our lungs from foreign matter like particle pollution.
-In this lesson we use the term "particle pollution." This is usually referred to as "particulate pollution" or "particulate matter." For the purposes of this lesson, we have decided to use the simpler "particle pollution."
-"Air pollution" is kind of a catchall term, referring to things like ozone, particulate matter, and even greenhouse gases. This can be tricky for elementary students to sort out. The purpose of this lesson is for students to better understand particulate matter.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Curious students may want more time to explore the interactive map of air quality.
-Students who complete their journal entry early can make their own air quality monitor.
-Be sensitive to your students' health situation. Some students with asthma or who know someone with asthma may find it difficult to learn more about this topic.

This interactive PDF explains the four types of writing and their applications, and provides some free examples.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn how climate change and deforestation are linked to the water cycle.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson provides students with a background on the relationship between deforestation, water cycle, erosion, and climate change. It establishes the fact that deforestation poses stress on the forest ecosystem and services, including impacting the water cycle and speeding up erosion and climate change. These issues could be addressed with well-informed adaptive strategies and action to restore the forest and biodiversity. All materials have been verified thoroughly, and this lesson has passed the science credibility process.

POSITIVES:
-Students participate in multiple interactive and hands-on learning activities to engage in kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning.
-Students continue to better their understanding of how Earth’s natural systems are interconnected and dependent on each other.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 3 of 4 in our 6th-8th grade Water Cycle, Deforestation, and Climate Change unit.
-Materials required for the erosion model activity include the following:
-Scissors or sharp knife
-Clean, empty one-gallon container with a lid (such as a plastic milk jug)
-Water
-Two aluminum bread pans
-Dirt
-Two aluminum, 9-by-13-inch cake pans
-12 to 14 plastic forks
-Two blocks, shallow plastic containers, or other items of the same height to prop up the aluminum bread pans
-Outdoor test area with a flat, level surface where it is easy to clean spilled water and soil

DIFFERENTIATION:
-The erosion activity may be completed as a hands-on activity in lab groups or as a demonstration by the teacher.
-Lab groups may be in mixed abilities to aid in understanding.
-Teachers can prepare examples of diagrams for students to reference during the Inspire section.

In this lesson, students learn how climate change and deforestation are linked to the water cycle.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students view an Indigenous perspective on deforestation and learn how climate change can lead to deforested areas.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students complete a hands-on activity to investigate the effects of deforestation on erosion and watch a video on deforestation and climate change.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students create a cause and effect diagram about erosion and the water cycle.

Students will understand that everybody is a writer, that writing is a tool for communication, and that it is an ongoing process. Students will create a beginning writing piece that could be made into a class book.

This open educational resource (OER) was compiled for use in ENGL 1010 – Expository Writing, the first of Middle Tennessee State University’s two first-year writing courses. This OER is divided into five main sections, all of which are designed with ENGL 1010’s course objectives in mind. Each of those sections contains a number of readings related to the section’s topic, with many of those readings curated from other open-access texts.

The first-year writing sequence at Middle Tennessee State University takes a rhetorical approach to writing. This means that students are asked to consider how “good” writing is situational. There are no hard and fast “rules” for writing. Instead, there are conventions or norms and expectations specific to particular contexts. In ENGL 1010: Expository Writing, students practice identifying writing conventions across modes and contexts.

SYNOPSIS: This lesson introduces students to the effects of climate change on animals and their habitats.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson allows students to understand what habitat means and how organisms interact within their range. Students would also be able to classify animals into different habitats, explore the impact of climate change on biodiversity in different ecosystems, and proffer ways to reduce these impacts. All the accompanying materials in the lesson are well-sourced, and this lesson has passed our science credibility review.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson opens up a conversation to discuss climate change through the topics of animals, which younger students can understand.
-This lesson allows students to practice using their agency and voice to make a change in their world.
-This lesson could be extended into a larger research project on specific animals and their habitats.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students may need to review the vocabulary term habitat.
-Students may benefit from a cause and effect lesson prior to this lesson.
-A lesson on observational drawings and analyzing photography could be beneficial for some learners.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-The observation and chart assignments are naturally differentiated due to the inclusion of drawings and/or words. Students can draw or write depending on their level.
-Vocabulary word cards could be used for students who need assistance with vocabulary comprehension.
-Student groups/partners could be picked based on ability level or mixed ability level depending on the purpose of instruction.
-Students could complete the drawings or letters in a digital format as well.
-These articles could be utilized to expand the non-fiction article reading component for students who are able:
-How Does Climate Change Affect the Ocean?
-Learning about Climate from Oceans

SYNOPSIS: This lesson introduces students to the benefits of an aquaponics system, especially in areas where clean soil and water are scarce.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson demonstrates the importance of sustainable agriculture and how gardening without soil can provide positive results. This is a hands-on activity for students to engage in gardening. Aquaculture and hydroponics are discussed in good detail. All the materials featured in the lesson have been verified, and this lesson is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson creates a collaborative learning environment as students engage with a variety of science and engineering practices.
-Connections are made between the school garden in NJ and other locations where gardening may be difficult for a variety of environmental reasons.
-Project-based learning and hands-on activities promote engagement and participation from all learners.
-This lesson features vocabulary development which broadens student understanding of the concept of aquaponics.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-The lesson takes ~60 minutes, but students will continue 10-15 minutes one day a week for recording observations in their digital or paper journals.
-Students will need a basic understanding of what seeds and plants need to grow and produce food.
-Additionally, students would benefit from an opportunity to plant seeds in soil and observe the life cycle from seed germination to food production prior to this lesson.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-If teaching remotely, students can have access to teacher slides and digital resources, including journals to participate from home.
-This lesson provides opportunities for students to learn about the topic using different modalities including visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile.
-Groups of students with mixed abilities can collaborate on their journal definitions, predictions, and observations.
-Teachers can structure the learning around explaining or solving a social or community-based issue.
-An extension activity can be a salad party. After lettuce grows, students will have the opportunity to pick, wash, and taste their own lettuce.

STUDENT ACTIVITY -- 4th -- GAThis is a distance-learning lesson students can complete at home.The student will understand that everybody is a writer, that writing is a tool for communication, and that it is an ongoing process. Students will create a beginning writing piece about the procedure for maintaining an outdoor space.This activity was created by Out Teach (out-teach.org), a nonprofit providing outdoor experiential learning to transform Science education for students in under-served communities.

In this lesson, students learn about extreme weather, create an infographic, and educate others on the knowledge gained from this unit.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students watch videos to understand why weather is becoming more extreme.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students create an infographic about extreme weather impacts in their area.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students educate others on the knowledge gained from this unit.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about extreme weather, create an infographic, and educate others on the knowledge gained from this unit.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson allows students to understand the difference between weather and climate, the important variables that cause changes in weather, how weather and climate are predicted, the impact of weather extremes on the climate, and how human activities have accelerated wildfires, disrupted the water cycle, and caused other erratic weather disturbances in their communities. They would be able to explore which weather events are frequent and the overall combined impacts. All materials were rigorously reviewed, and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.

POSITIVES:
-Students participate in multiple interactive and hands-on learning activities to engage in kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning.
-Students have an opportunity to share their growth and knowledge throughout the unit with other students and community members.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 4 of 4 in our 6th-8th grade Water Cycle, Deforestation, and Climate Change unit.
-Teachers need to determine how to choose the best course of action for sharing student learning. Options include the following:
-Class vote
-Teacher predetermines based on their best judgment
-Student panel is created
-Different groups choose different courses of action

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students may use the Emotions Board for vocabulary support as they watch the videos in the Inquire section
-At the end of the unit, a classroom gallery walk is recommended.
-Some ideas for extensions at the end of the unit include:
-Inviting other classes in for a gallery walk
-Hosting a community night where community members can be educated on what students have learned in the unit
-Mailing student materials to different leaders in the community, particularly leaders that are in charge of the local water sources

This course has been designed to enable you to focus your learning on specific areas of improvement. Unlike a typical college course where you would complete lessons in chronological order, this course allows you to focus on just specific skills. Modules include: Grammer, Pre Writing, and Writing

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about the role the sun plays in our daily lives and how solar energy can be used.

SCIENTIST NOTES: In this lesson, students learn about the role the sun plays in our daily lives and how solar energy can be used.

POSITIVES:
-Students participate in whole and small group discussions and exploration.
-Students explore topics through hands-on inquiry-based activities.
-Students share information and encourage positive climate action.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Most required materials are typical classroom items. However, the teacher will need to source some additional materials to complete the mini-lessons and stations, such as pizza boxes, aluminum foil, thermometers, etc.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-This lesson was designed to be used in a kindergarten classroom but can easily be modified for first and second grade. See Station and Mini-Lesson Guide for more information about scaffolding the lesson up or down for students.
-Students work at their own pace in stations.
-Students choose a method of sharing knowledge according to their personal learning.
-Additional or alternative texts:
-Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty
-This text focuses on the sun and space, with the sun serving as the narrator.
-The Sun Is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch
-Narrative with beautiful imagery.
-Simple text. It may be appropriate for some students to read independently.
-Running on Sunshine: How Does Solar Energy Work? by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
-nonfiction text
-This book can be quite dense, so it may be best to read it in chunks for younger students.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about transpiration and how transpiration plays a role in cooling cities that experience extreme heat due to climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson succinctly explains the effect of climate change on the transpiration process. Transpiration helps to improve microclimate in urban cities and addresses the urban heat island effect. The lesson also draws attention for students to experiment the transpiration process, identify spatial distribution of redlining, evaluate tree equity in their community, and draft concept notes and proposals to seek supports to implement tree planting and restoration of green spaces. All materials have been well-sourced, and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.

POSITIVES:
-Students share diverse perspectives and ideas in journal prompts encouraging action.
-Students participate in multiple interactive and hands-on learning activities to engage in kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 2 of 4 in our 6th-8th grade Water Cycle, Deforestation, and Climate Change unit.
-Materials required for the lab include the following:
-Three small, thin-leafed plants
-Three small, broad-leafed plants
-Small watering can
-Scale
-Six plastic bags large enough to fit completely around each plant pot
-Masking tape
-Previous student knowledge of the water cycle and climate change will be beneficial for this unit.
-Prior to the lesson, the teacher should post different emotions around the room for the SEL activity during the video on heat islands.
-Teachers should familiarize themselves with the Tree Equity Score resource prior to teaching the lesson. Students might also benefit from definitions of certain terms used in the resource including temperature, canopy cover, and demographics.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students can complete the demonstration in lab groups.
-Lab groups may be in mixed abilities to aid in understanding.
-Students may use the Emotions Board for vocabulary support as they complete the SEL activity in the Investigate section.
-Journal prompts can be used for a whole group discussion if desired.
-The class discussion in the Inquire section can be a writing assignment first to give students time to process and think about their responses.
-The Inspire section may be completed in groups or individually at the discretion of the teacher.

In this lesson, students learn about transpiration and how transpiration plays a role in cooling cities that experience extreme heat due to climate change.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students explore the idea of transpiration through a hands-on experiment.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students learn about trees' connection to urban heat island.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students create a proposal to improve tree equity in their neighborhoods.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about the water cycle and how climate change impacts its patterns.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces students to water cycle, water scarcity, and issues related to water conservation and climate change, including the global water crisis. Water scarcity and pollution are also discussed, and students are required to test hypotheses to determine if there is a relationship between climate change and the water cycle. All the data sources are properly cited, and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.

POSITIVES:
-Students share diverse perspectives and ideas using the journal prompts which encourage action.
-Students build on their unit journal with each additional lesson in the unit.
-Students participate in multiple interactive and hands-on learning activities to engage in kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 1 of 4 in our 6th-8th grade Water Cycle, Deforestation, and Climate Change unit.
-Prior set-up is necessary for the Inquire section.
-Materials required for the demonstration include the following:
-4 heat lamps (on a hot sunny day you can use the sun along with a way to amplify the sun's rays)
-3 bowls
-3 mugs or cups
-Plastic wrap
-A recommended heat lamp can be purchased here.
-Previous student knowledge of the water cycle and climate change will be beneficial in this unit. This interactive game can help students learn about the water cycle.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students may use the Emotions Board for vocabulary support as they watch the video in the Inquire section.
-The demonstration may be completed in lab groups with each group experimenting with a different system (control, drought, global warming).
-Students may be placed in mixed-ability lab groups to aid in understanding.
-Interactive diagrams can be differentiated based on ability.
-Journal prompts can be used for whole group discussions.

In this lesson, students learn about the water cycle and how climate change impacts its patterns.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students contemplate their relationship with water and observe a demonstration to determine if shifting climates may affect the water cycle.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students explore an interactive diagram about the water cycle.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students watch a video and complete a series of questions in their student journals.

SYNOPSIS: This lesson introduces the importance of bees to humans, our food supply, and how children can create a healthy habitat for bees.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson plan discusses pollination, bees' role in pollination, and how climate change may affect both bees and pollination. The climate change fact sheet provided is accurate, up to date, and includes references for more information. This lesson helps students think about how nature and the climate are connected. This resource is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson creates a collaborative learning environment as students engage with a variety of ELA applications to develop an action plan.
-The story highlights the value of friendship and the need for beekeeping.
-The story also suggests solutions for readers to help bee populations, such as growing flowering plants.
-The video on pollination provides a foundation for students to understand the importance of pollinators.
-Students are prompted to take action and develop a plan to make a difference, even at a young age, right in their own New Jersey schoolyards or backyards.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students will need a basic understanding of what pollination is and examples of pollinators (bees, hummingbirds, moths, etc.).
-Additionally, students should observe pollinators, such as bees, in their natural habitat, if possible.
-Teachers should be prepared with crafting materials and paper for letter writing.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-For remote learning classes, students can have access to teacher slides and digital resources to participate from home, as needed.
-This lesson provides opportunities for students to learn about the topic using various modalities including visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile.
-Groups of students with mixed abilities can collaborate on their storybook scripts and action plans.
-Learning is structured around explaining or solving a social or community-based issue.
-Extension activities include:
-Sharing action plans with peers, other school community members
-Creating an outdoor pollinator garden on school grounds. Most home and garden supply stores will offer free seeds to schools.
-Join the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge. It’s free!

Students use the vegetables growing in the garden as inspiration to think about the steps that are needed when someone wants to grow crops.