Green Transportation Lesson: Green Careers
Lesson Plan
50 minutesGrades3, 4, 5Geography
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Lindsey Pockl, Amber Medina
About this lesson
This lesson explores different transit systems around the world and unpacks the decision-making process behind transportation planning.
Inquire: Students analyze the transit route maps of four different cities.
Investigate: Students explore in greater depth the elements and features of four different transit systems.
Inspire: Students recall transit rider concerns and create a reimagined metro system to appeal to more riders in the community.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- Students have the opportunity to collaborate and reason with each other.
- Students conduct research and present their findings orally.
- Students are exposed to global connections.
- Students activate creativity and imagination.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 3 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Green Transportation unit.
- Students should have prior knowledge of accessing information using the Internet.
Differentiation
- Teacher can modify the Investigate section in the following ways based on students’ needs:
- Low Level: Teacher provides students with mostly visuals and/or audio recordings describing the different transportation systems and allows students to write keywords and share.
- On Level: Teacher provides students with a mix of visuals and brief sentences from articles describing the different transportation systems. Students can write 1-4 sentences to share.
- High Level: Teacher provides students with complete articles describing the different transit systems and allows students to highlight in the text. Students then write 5+ complete sentences prior to sharing with the whole class.
- In the Inspire section, students have the option to work independently or in groups.
- If working in groups, students can choose the specific role that fits their personality the best.
From the scientist review
This lesson has students investigate what transportation planners do and the transportation systems of different countries. All external links are valid, and this lesson has passed our scientific review process.
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About the teacher writers
Lindsey Pockl
Lindsey worked with SubjectToClimate to develop accompanying materials for lesson plans for grades 3-12.
Amber Medina
Elementary School Teacher
Amber is a third grade elementary school teacher who has taught ELA, Environmental Education, and SEL. With a degree in Environmental Policy and Planning, her passion for environmental justice and action integrated curriculum led her to her commitment to climate education.
