SYNOPSIS: This lesson introduces the connections between air quality and environmental justice.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson illustrates how air quality is related to cardiorespiratory health and how environmental injustice exacerbates these issues in marginalized communities. A well-sourced list of resources is provided where students can learn about human respiration, environmental justice, air quality in New Jersey, and what is being done to address environmental injustice by both the state and the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance. Students are tasked with reviewing these sources and then sharing what they learned in a fishbowl discussion. This lesson is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson utilizes student choice, active listening, and active participation.
-Students are guided through a Fishbowl discussion which facilitates respectful listening and exchanging of opinions.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Teachers should feel comfortable offering choice, allowing students independence and autonomy in their learning. This lesson encourages open conversation and monitoring regarding student held discussions.
-This resource is helpful for facilitating a Fishbowl discussion.
-Students will need access to the Teacher Slideshow in order to conduct their independent work.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students are able to work at their own pace and order for the playlist activity, but teachers can scaffold certain steps for students who need additional support.
-Teachers can create a sample guide for the independent playlist activity.
-Teachers can embed the necessary adjustments into the playlist and check boxes for students with special needs or considerations.
-Teachers can add a sixth check box that includes a chat with the teacher so that questions and checks for understanding can be incorporated.

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.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students connect air quality with environmental justice.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces the relationship between environment and justice. Students understand if their community is healthy and what to do to create a fair, just, equitable, and sustainable planet for all to thrive. Additional materials are suitable to broaden their understanding on a wide range of topics such as segregation, the connection between climate and justice, racial justice, and social justice. All materials in this lesson are properly cited and are void of scientific contradictions. In this light, this lesson has passed our science credibility process.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson allows students to create their own meaning of environmental justice before viewing the explanatory video.
-The EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool is amazing. Students will love it.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-The video explaining environmental justice might be tough for 3rd-5th graders to understand. Students should understand the core message in the video, even if they might not understand all the details.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Some students may want more time to explore the EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool.
-The reflection journal at the end of the lesson has options for student creativity and imagination.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students analyze the concept of greenwashing of products.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces students to greenwashing and then presents Trader Joe’s as a case study. Students are tasked with designing their own green product and an accompanying marketing plan. The lesson informs students how companies can mislead them with products that only seem environmentally friendly and gives tips on how to spot greenwashing. This lesson is recommended for teaching. (The only small issue with this lesson is that an advertisement for a VPN is included in the Trader Joe’s case study video, but that's just part of using resources from YouTube.)

POSITIVES:
-Students create a product and then see what effect their product has on consumers. This will show students how greenwashing occurs within marketing campaigns.
-This lesson includes media literacy components.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Teachers should be familiar with the term greenwashing and be able to explain what is regulated by the FDA and what is not regulated by the FDA.
-Teachers should understand the term green is not regulated by the FDA, but the term organic is regulated by the FDA.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-The term greenwashing is an abstract concept, so it may be hard for students to grasp. Showing other examples of greenwashing may help students better understand the concept.
-Teachers can show students different labels or advertisements and have students analyze whether they consider each example greenwashing or not.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn some of the impacts climate change is having on the Arctic, hear youth perspectives about the impacts of climate change, and write their own personal climate stories.

SCIENTIST NOTES: Students are instructed in this lesson on the effects of climate change on the Arctic region. Temperature increases are hastening the melting of permafrost, glaciers, and sea level rise. This has an effect on the polar ecosystems and human populations. The contrast between how climate change affects the northern and southern regions of the Arctic is also covered in the lesson, along with suggestions for how students may learn and share their experiences to promote climate action. This lesson passed our science review process after all the materials were fact-checked.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson can be used in any middle school writing class and tailored to the specific skills the class is working on.
-This lesson helps students connect climate change to people.
-This lesson highlights a local community in the Arctic and demonstrates the impact storytelling can have.
-This lesson encourages students to participate in the writing process, including the planning and publishing stages.
-This lesson allows teachers to integrate skills specific to their students.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-The Inquire section gallery walk is about the student-made infographics from the previous lesson. Alternatively, teachers can use the infographics from the Teacher Slideshow.
-Students should understand the basics of writing a story. This includes, but is not limited to, characters, setting, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
-When teaching this lesson teachers should have a baseline understanding of how climate change works and understand some of the impacts in the Arctic.
-In this lesson the term, “story” is consistently used, despite one of the primary standards referring to the term, “narrative.” If students ask to clarify the difference, one way a middle school ELA teacher can differentiate personal narratives from stories is that a personal narrative is a true story whereas a story can be fictionalized.
-For their writing, students will need a basic understanding of the ways climate change is affecting their own communities.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-The final draft of the writing can be used as a summative assessment for this lesson.
-It may be helpful to share a map and show where the Arctic is located if students are unfamiliar.
-Students may need more specific and individual guidance when planning out their writing. Rubrics can be customized for individual students and their learning goals.
-Teachers can give students more time for writing the personal climate story.

SYNOPSIS: This lesson introduces students to the impacts of climate change on the Arctic.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson demonstrates the impacts of climate change on the Arctic region and thus provides a background for students to reflect on the causal relationship between temperature changes and ice melting, glaciers, permafrost, and sea level rise. Accordingly, this lesson is interactive, properly cited, and has passed our science credibility.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson situates the Arctic globally and introduces students to people who call the Arctic home, including youth.
-Alongside climate change, students learn about infographics as a way to understand and share information.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-For the game “Is It an Infographic?” game, teachers should present the Teacher Slideshow in slideshow mode to conceal the answer at first glance.
-When teaching this lesson, teachers should have a baseline understanding of how climate change works. This short interactive course offers easy-to-understand information on the basics of climate change.
-Teachers will need to plan ahead for the gallery walk.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-If teachers would like to spend more time on the infographic, both in teaching about infographics as a way to share information and on how to create an infographic, this website is an excellent resource.
-Infographic creation could be digital, adding technology skills to the outcomes, if students have access to technology and the appropriate software.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students discover how climate change could be making extreme winter weather worse.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This is a great lesson that explains key drivers of winter storms. Students will learn about the polar vortex and lake effect snow and how they influence the jet stream, air circulation, and polar and mid-latitude climates. The cascading effect is worrisome, especially in vulnerable communities. The class activity will inspire students to communicate ways communities could respond to these weather events. The videos, materials, charts, and datasets embedded in the lesson were fact-checked, and this lesson has passed our science review process.

POSITIVES:
-Connecting climate change and extreme winter weather can feel counterintuitive, which will challenge students' critical thinking skills.
-The lesson provides many opportunities for students to share ideas with their peers.
-This lesson can be taught in an environmental science class.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Advertisements may play before some of the videos.
-Students should be familiar with climate change, the difference between weather and climate, and the various types of extreme weather.
-Teachers should make it clear that on average, global temperatures are rising even if there is sometimes more extreme cold and snowy weather.
-Teachers should make sure students understand that this lesson is not about if anthropogenic climate change is real. Instead, this lesson is looking at the specific connections between climate change and the polar vortex and lake effect snow.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-For students who may need more support in the Investigate section, classes can create their explanations of the polar vortex and lake effect snow together.
-This lesson could be split over two class periods. In the first class, students would complete the Inquire section and the first half of the Investigate section about the polar vortex. In the second class, students would complete the second half of the Investigate section about lake effect snow and the Inspire section.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students investigate how artists use their platforms to spread awareness about climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson encourages students to think about how artists and their art can be used to teach and inspire others about climate change. Many videos are included in the slideshow. Videos include one of Sarah Lewis, an art historian discussing how one person’s artwork can shift things, and a second one featuring “Earthrise,” a poem by Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. There are an additional six videos covering artists and their artwork about climate change. This lesson finishes with great reflection questions and an opportunity for class discussion. This would be a great lesson for teaching the effects of art on the public perception of climate change.

POSITIVES:
-Students consider the role of art as a form of climate activism.
-Students are exposed to a variety of artists and types of art addressing climate change.
-This lesson has significant cross-curricular possibilities, even though it focuses on art and artists.
-Students begin to think about ways they might use artwork as a means of taking climate action.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 1 of 3 in our 9th-12th grade Climate Heroes unit.
-This lesson should follow a basic introduction to climate change science, exploration of global and local impacts, and climate change solutions.
-Some prior knowledge of contemporary art practices is useful, but not required.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can provide instruction multimodally.
-Teachers can modify the assignment and assessment as needed.
-Teachers can follow up with questions to ensure comprehension.
-Teachers can pair students with helpful peers.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students evaluate three slogans on climate awareness and advocacy and create their own artistic slogans with four specific types of parallel structure.

SCIENTIST NOTES: The lesson enables students to understand the intrinsic value of slogans in climate and social justice advocacy. Students would also practice how to use artistic slogans to communicate climate change impact to diverse audiences and policymakers in order to inform better decision-making and drive climate action. All materials have been carefully reviewed, and this lesson is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson can be used in all levels of English and art classes.
-Art teachers can use this lesson in any unit and incorporate other art components.
-Students are given voice and choice in this lesson as they learn to manipulate language to achieve different outcomes.
-This lesson can be used as an introduction to climate change and overall climate awareness.
-This lesson can be added to a science lesson evaluating evidence for climate change or a communications or business lesson on marketing.
-This lesson can be used to discuss climate justice in social studies.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students should have some understanding of basic grammar and parallel structure.
-Students should have an understanding of slogans and their purpose.
-Students should have access to computers or art materials in order to create the final version of their parallel structure slogan.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students’ use of language and vocabulary can be simple or complex in order to fit the needs of the class.
-Teachers can simplify the lesson by focusing on only one or two forms of parallel structure.
-Art teachers can have students design two different visual pieces to go with the same slogan, then compare and contrast the effects of the different artistic elements on the overall message.
-Additional scaffolding for AP English classes can include a discussion on the purposes and effects of each specific form of parallel structure as well as an analysis of parallel structures in literature.
-Teachers can connect the parallel structure skills in this lesson to their current reading material or curriculum. For example, students can identify forms of parallel structure in previously assigned class literature or nonfiction readings.
-Teachers can extend this lesson into various writing activities for students to practice expository, analytical, descriptive, or narrative writing with different forms of parallel structure.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students investigate the effectiveness of visual art in addressing climate change.

SCIENTIST NOTES: Simply put, not everyone is swayed by a scientific expert. Often it takes other means to convey a message to someone. That is why is an integral part of climate change communication. Art, scientifically, has a different impact on our thoughts and decision-making than hearing a lecture from an expert. This lesson explores different climate change art projects and shows their potential to reach audiences. This lesson has passed the scientific review process.

POSITIVES:
-Students learn that art can be used to address issues that are usually just discussed in scientific terms.
-Students learn about a variety of artists whose work deals with climate change.
-Students can begin to visualize ways that they might make art about climate change, which can serve as a subsequent lesson.
-This lesson is interactive and simulates a real-world situation in the art world, requiring a variety of skills.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This lesson can be paired with or follow a more in-depth discussion of climate change science.
-Students should know how to use Google Slides or a similar type of presentation format.
-Students should have a basic familiarity with rubrics.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can provide instruction multimodally.
-Teachers can preview vocabulary with ESL students.
-Teachers can follow up with questions to ensure comprehension.
-Teachers can pair students with helpful peers.
-It can be beneficial for developing students’ interpersonal skills if groups were randomized.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn the impacts of climate change on birds, explore the effectiveness of public art on climate change awareness, and synthesize informational texts into a persuasive or argumentative essay.

SCIENTIST NOTES: Bird species are suffering and facing extinction as a result of rising temperatures. Several species are slowly losing their range and changing shape and size. This lesson also establishes the possibility that a gradual rise in temperature could affect human survival, but it also gives students the opportunity to brainstorm and use their artistic talents to convey conservation strategies that would safeguard local wildlife and ecologically delicate species. This lesson is suggested for use in the classroom since the video, pictures, and materials are from reliable sources.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson can be used to teach students close reading or note-taking strategies.
-This lesson can be used to focus on elements of persuasive or argumentative writing techniques.
-This lesson can be easily adapted for writing workshops and the peer editing process in a multi-day or mini-unit.
-This lesson can be done in the Spring or Fall when students can also observe local birds outside, or during state testing days as an independent or partner project.
-This lesson can be used as a stand-alone lesson or as a lesson in a unit on non-fiction, birds, geography, art, or research.
-Students are given voice and choice and can work independently or in pairs.
-Students explore various media and guide their own learning with options for breadth and depth.
-Students learn about local bird species in their neighborhood and region.
-Students have two different options to create their own artistic responses.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Teachers should be aware that the Audubon organization is named after John James Audubon and references his “complicated history” as an unrepentant slave owner and strong advocate for slavery. Students will explore this in the lesson, but teachers may want to preview the articles prior to the lesson.
-Students should have some basic understanding of citing sources and referencing multiple resources in writing.
-Students should have a basic understanding of the elements of persuasive or argumentative writing.
-Students should have access to devices with a strong internet connection.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can extend the research and writing portions of the lesson, using them to teach specific elements in persuasive or argumentative writing.
-Teachers can provide paragraph or essay structures, graphic organizers, brainstorming, or outline templates for students to use.
-Teachers can read one article in the Inspire section with the class as an anchor text or to model reading and note-taking strategies.
-English teachers can choose to make the artistic element a separate class period, an extension, or extra credit activity.
-Teachers can assign other articles from the Audubon website for extension activities.
-Social studies, civics, and economics classes can extend this topic to discuss social justice, socioeconomic status, and cultural impacts. Students can research and discuss how other activists’ “complicated” backgrounds have impacted their messaging.
-Music classes can listen to bird songs of birds from the Audubon website and compare the musicality and tonality of different bird songs in the same region.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students calculate their own carbon footprint using Peter Kalmus's methodology in his book Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson shows basic techniques to calculate individual carbon footprint. There are no contradictions in the data source or methods for calculating carbon footprint as indicated in this lesson. All the examples shown are valid estimations. This lesson has passed our science review and is suitable for classroom.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson features many math skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by rational numbers; estimation; conversion between metric and imperial units; and logic and reasoning skills.
-Students manipulate data in a spreadsheet and create a pie chart using many different data points.
-Students engage with many different units, including CO2e, CCF, kWh, and therms.
-This lesson provides students with the opportunity to measure their own impact on the Earth. Students can reflect on their own impact and brainstorm ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-You must be sensitive to your students if you choose to run this lesson. Be mindful of socioeconomic status in your classroom.
-Students will most likely ask their families for certain data points, like electricity or fossil gas usage. Be sensitive to your students' families. Some families may not want to share this information with their child's teacher.
-In most situations, it would be useful for students to have the option to share final numbers with the class. You do not have to make it mandatory.
-This lesson was adapted from "Leaving Fossil Fuel" Chapter 9 from Peter Kalmus's book Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-This lesson can be used as an extension, extra credit opportunity, or one option in a menu of choices.
-If everyone feels comfortable, students can collaborate as they figure out their respective carbon footprints.
-Students should use the glossary at the end of the Teacher Slideshow to help them understand new terms and concepts.
-Students can use the 2nd and 3rd tabs in their spreadsheets to see finished examples. This is author Dan Castrigano's carbon footprint data from 2019-2020.

SYNOPSIS: This lesson introduces solar energy and tasks students with solving an algebraic equation to determine the amount of daily sunlight needed to make a solar panel effective.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson lets students analyze peak sun hours needed to generate electricity from a solar panel. The equation used in the calculation is appropriate, and students would be able to calculate their electricity footprint in real-time. All accompanying materials, case studies, and activities contained in this lesson are well-sourced. Accordingly, this lesson has passed our science credibility and is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-The lesson is personalized to the students' community, which will make it more engaging and relevant.
-This lesson ties closely with the following lesson in the unit, but it can also be used as a standalone lesson if desired.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 1 of 5 in our 6-8th grade Renewable Energy Algebra unit.
-Students should be familiar with renewable energy. If not, more time may be needed in the Inquire section to introduce renewable energy. This video can be used.
-Students should know kWh refers to Kilowatt-hour. This interactive map about the carbon intensity of electricity by country measured in kWh can support students with better visualizing the unit.
-Students should understand that kilo means 1,000, so a kilowatt is 1,000 watts. This reading can help students build background knowledge on electric power and its units of measure.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can have students work with a partner on the calculations in the Investigate section and purposefully group students based on skill level.
-Teachers can work with small groups of students who may need additional assistance with the calculations.
-Teachers can limit the number of questions students complete. The questions get progressively more difficult.
-Some questions have the same setup but use different numbers. If necessary, some could be taken out to save time (questions 1-4 and questions 5-7).

In this lesson, students complete real-world calculations related to residential solar energy use, including the number of solar panels needed to power the average house and how many solar panels could fit on their own home or a local building.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students complete calculations to determine if the average American home could be powered using solar panels.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students explore the Google Project Sunroof site and use data on their home address to solve problems.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students discuss the benefits and drawbacks to using solar energy and explore equity issues related to the affordability of solar panels.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students complete real-world calculations related to residential solar energy use, including the number of solar panels needed to power the average house and how many solar panels could fit on their own home or a local building.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson lets students evaluate the impact of solar energy in addressing the energy crisis and energy inequities, especially in low-income communities. It would build their analytic skills in calculating the amount of energy a solar panel can produce per hour, which is important information for houseowners to choose the size of solar panels to build. All materials embedded in the lesson are illustrative and were fact-checked thoroughly. On that account, this lesson has passed our science credibility process and is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-Students are able to use algebra skills in real-world applications.
-The lesson is engaging for students because it is personalized to each student's actual home or local building.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This lesson is 2 of 5 in our 6-8th Grade Renewable Energy Algebra unit.
-If teachers did not complete lesson 1, omit questions 1, 3, and 5 on the Student Document and use this video to introduce solar energy and its connections to climate change.
-Slides 14-16 are vocabulary words from the first lesson that teachers may wish to review with students again or introduce if teachers skipped lesson 1.
-Students need access to computers and calculators for this lesson.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students can work individually or in groups.
-If students do not feel comfortable using their actual address, they can select a random nearby address to use.
-Teachers can walk students through certain calculations as a class. Teachers can also pull small groups to work through any areas with the most needs.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students use algebra to calculate the number of wind turbines needed to power a local community.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson has students determine the energy generated from a wind turbine. They would be able to analyze the number of units needed for a household, a community, or a small town and share with their community the pros and cons of investing in wind power. All materials were thoroughly reviewed, and this lesson has passed the credibility review process.

POSITIVES:
-Students use their algebra skills in a real-world application.
-The calculations are relevant to students because they estimate the number of wind turbines needed for their own city.
-Students practice supporting their ideas with evidence, which is a skill that is applicable across all disciplines.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-This is lesson 3 of 5 in the 6th-8th grade Renewable Energy Algebra unit.
-Students will need calculators.
-Teachers may need to provide the population of their city to students for question 5 on the Student Document.
-One-to-one technology is ideal. If this is not possible, omit questions 9 and 10 on the Student Document or complete these questions as a class.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Teachers can have students work in pairs or small groups to complete the calculations instead of individually.
-The discussion at the end of the lesson could be done as a whole group instead of first in pairs.
-Teachers can complete the first few questions with students to get them started before letting them work individually.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about climate change, calculate their carbon footprint, and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

SCIENTIST NOTES: After introducing students to climate change, this lesson immediately makes the climate crisis personal, challenging them to analyze how their behavior affects the climate. Excellent video resources from National Geographic and Rutgers are presented that explain the climate crisis and how it impacts New Jersey and provide actionable steps to conserve energy and mitigate climate change. Individuals are tasked with calculating their climate footprint and then creating a weeklong journal that aids them in discovering ways to reduce carbon emissions. These journals provide students with practice constructing and then solving their own word problems before comparing their results with other students. Finally, groups create posters that demonstrate how they can affect change in their community. This lesson plan is well-sourced, offers multiple opportunities for collaborative learning, and is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-This lesson includes hands-on activities that relate to students’ daily lives and the real world.
-Materials are easily accessible for teachers without much planning.
-The lesson is intended for students to be reflective, creative, cooperative, and innovative.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Teachers should have a basic understanding of climate change.
-Students should understand cooperative learning essentials, including how to be a good teammate and how to work in groups.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Two carbon footprint calculator options are provided. Students can use one or both.
-Children’s literature can be used to support English Language Learners or provide supplements for enrichment. Possible books include:
-The Tantrum that Saved the World by Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann
-Winston of Churchill: One Bear’s Battle Against Global Warming by Jean Davies Okimoto
-The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole
-What Is Climate Change? by Gail Herman
-It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired, & Get Going by Chelsea Clinton
-The Last Wild by Piers Torday
-Our House Is on Fire by Jeanette Winter
-Saving Earth Climate Change and the Fight for Our Future by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
-Additional resources for enrichment can be found at NOAA.gov and EnergyStar.gov.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students learn about the impact of household energy use on climate change and compare and contrast strategies to reduce emissions in Chile and the United States.

SCIENTIST NOTES: Energy-efficient homes are an important part of solving the climate crisis, as this lesson explains. This lesson shows how Chile is planning to make homes more energy efficient. This lesson passed the scientific review process.

Los hogares energéticamente eficientes son una parte importante de la solución de la crisis climática, como se explica en esta lección. Esta lección muestra cómo Chile está planeando hacer que los hogares más eficientes energéticamente. Esta lección pasó el proceso de revisión científica.

POSITIVES:
-Students immerse in authentic Spanish language audiovisual resources and explore cultural perspectives in addition to learning about climate change.
-The lesson includes many hands-on and communicative activities.
-Teachers can customize the lesson by selecting activities from each section that best fit their class.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Students should be familiar with numbers, weather, some geographical features, parts of a house, and household activities prior to this lesson.
-Students should have basic skills in the present tense to describe a place in a house and be able to ask and answer questions about daily activities.
-The card game in the Investigate section requires a set of cards for every 4-5 students to be printed, cut, and pasted onto a sturdy backing.
-The communicative game in the Inspire section requires a die or set of dice for each pair of students.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students can watch the videos as a class, in pairs, or individually.
-Novice students can focus on describing what they see in the videos using familiar vocabulary and can use the English language version of the EPA website.
-Novice-high and Intermediate-low students can engage with the spoken and written messages in the videos and use the Spanish language version of the EPA website.

SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students think critically about carbon emission reduction strategies proposed by companies.

SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson challenges students to analyze "green" claims and provides context to "net zero" greenhouse gas emission goals. Students are tasked with evaluating a company’s sustainability plan and then presenting their findings to classmates. The included video resources are well-sourced and highlight how greenwashing can mislead consumers and how "net zero" emission goals are often just a way for corporations to procrastinate on taking meaningful steps to mitigate climate change. This lesson is recommended for teaching.

POSITIVES:
-Students will be assessing the validity of sustainability plans within companies which helps with critical thinking skills.
-Students become more informed consumers.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES:
-Teachers should try to find their school or Board of Education’s sustainability policy prior to class.
-Teachers should be familiar with what a sustainability plan looks like.

DIFFERENTIATION:
-Students may need help with research techniques. Teacher could give five options for students to choose from, and the students pick a company from those five options.
-Students may need help picking a company to research. Students can focus on companies where they spend money, either online or in their neighborhood.

In this lesson, students calculate their own carbon footprint using Peter Kalmus's methodology in his book Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students watch a short video on the climate crisis. Students engage in a brief discussion on the prompt "Do my individual actions matter?"

Step 2 - Investigate: Students calculate their own carbon footprints.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students engage in a discussion, reflecting on this activity and the importance of individual actions.