How Does Climate Change Work?

Lesson Plans

GradesK, 1, 2Science

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick & Sprout

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What it is

In this lesson from Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick & Sprout, students learn where some greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane) come from, how greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, and some of the effects of climate change.
Students play a game of hot and cold to find the sun, watch a short video about the greenhouse effect and climate change, and color a "happy" Earth versus a "hothouse" Earth.

Teaching tips

Positives

This lesson explains fundamental science concepts in ways that young learners can access.
Students engage in different kinds of learning activities in this well-paced lesson.
This lesson provides SEL opportunities for students to process climate emotions.

Prerequisites

The lesson does not provide a link to the video needed for the main lesson. You can find the video on YouTube here.
The lesson does not provide the printables needed for the lesson. You can find them here.
Materials needed: cardboard cut into circles, markers or colored pencils, glue sticks or glue, paper clips, and string.

Differentiation & Implementation

This is the second lesson in a series to teach young learners about climate change.
Learning about climate change can bring up strong emotions for students. This resource can help teachers have these conversations with students.
This lesson on clean energy can be used as a follow-up to discuss solutions to climate change with students in more depth.

From the scientist review

The resource explores the greenhouse effect, key greenhouse gases that impacts significantly on the climate system, including the energy budget concept and why an overheated atmosphere (Hothouse earth) could cause weather disturbances and extreme conditions. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: K, 1, 2
Subjects: Science
Other types: Videos, Activity - Classroom
Format: PDF, YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick & Sprout
Authors: Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick & Sprout
Published: May 16, 2025
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · K-ESS3-C. + 6 more

Core

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

K-ESS3-C.Things that people do to live comfortably can affect the world around them. But they can make choices that reduce their impacts on the land, water, air, and other living things. (K-ESS3-3)

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

English Language Arts

SL.PE.1.1Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.II.2.2Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Science

K-PS3-1.Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
K-ESS2-1.Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
K-ESS3-2.Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.
K-ESS3-3.Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of climate change and humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

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What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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