Education Standards
Climate Forecasters Presentation
Climate Forecasters
Overview
This lesson covers the definitions of differences between weather and climate. Students will discuss local climates in Washinton state, then they will dicsuss climates around the world and collaborate to determine distinct attributes of different climates. For this lesson, the focus will be on the ice block activity to demonstrate how a changing climate affects the local ecosystem.
In partnership with the Washington State office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the legislature-funded ClimeTime program, the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment has created the Climate Literacy Fellows program.
Climate Forecasters Lesson Overview
Lesson Title: Climate Forecasters
Grade Level: 2nd-3rd
Disciplinary Area: Earth and Human Activity
Duration: 45 minutes
Big Question:
What is the difference between climate and weather and how do changes in climate effect animals and their ability to live in a certain envrionment?
Learning Objectives:
- Students will be provided with definitions of weather and climate and learn to differentiate them through examples.
- Students will learn examples of ways animals have adapted to their specific climate conditions.
- Students will learn through an activity how changes in climate can impact animals within that environment.
Key Terms:
Weather, Climate, Climate Change, Atmosphere, Adaptation
Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards
- 2-LS4-1: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
- 3-ESS2-2: Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
Materials:
| Material: | Link for Purchasing: |
| Ice Block Kit | Arbor Scientific Kit |
| Box of Arctic Animal Figurines | Arctic Figurines |
| White Paint | N/A |
| Ice Sheet Placemat | Included in Lesson PDF |
| Animal Cutouts | Included in Lesson PDF |
Authors: Nina Berry, Gonzaga Class of 2022
Revised by Abby Woodside, Gonzaga Class of 2024