• Views 174
  • Favorites

Database Provider

Author

ClimateScience

Grades

6th, 7th, 8th

Subjects

Social Studies, Civics

Resource Types

  • Lesson Plans, 45 minutes
  • Worksheets
  • Activity - Classroom

Regional Focus

Global

Format

PDF

Creating Climate Policies

|
Ask a Question

Synopsis
  • This activity provides an introduction to climate change policy by challenging students to write their own policies. 
  • Students analyze their policies by identifying potential drawbacks and considering solutions to those drawbacks.

Teaching Tips

Positives

  • The students' worksheets include prompts and questions that guide them towards creating their policies.
  • This lesson helps develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Additional Prerequisites

  • The handouts can be printed and used offline.
  • Remind students that their policies must be related to climate change mitigation or adaptation. The lesson Mitigation vs. Adaptation can be used to review these terms.
  • The ScienceDirect link in "Sources" does not work.

Differentiation

  • This activity can be extended by having students research their policies to determine if they have been implemented anywhere before and how successful it was or could potentially be.
  • Students can present their policies to the class and discuss the pros and cons of each policy. In the end, students could vote on the policies they think would be most successful.
  • If students are unsure where to start, have them think about what matters most to them in their community. Students can also use this Table of Solutions for ideas.
  • If students need a refresher on climate change consider using this article by NASA, this video by Crash Course, and this video by ClimateScience.
Scientist Notes

This resource aims to develop students' critical thinking skills by developing a climate change related policy. The IPCC source provided is excellent and provides all of the information needed to finish this activity. However, please note, the ScienceDirect link does not work. This resource is recommended for teaching.

Standards

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.

  • Social Studies
    • Active Citizenship in the 21st Century - Civics, Government, and Human Rights
      • 6.3.8.CivicsPD.2: Propose and defend a position regarding a public policy issue at the appropriate local, state, or national level.
      • 6.3.8.CivicsPD.3: Construct a claim as to why it is important for democracy that individuals are informed by facts, aware of diverse viewpoints, and willing to take action on public issues.
  • English Language Arts
    • Writing (K-12)
      • W.AW.7.1 Write arguments on discipline-specific content (e.g., social studies, science, technical subjects, English/Language Arts) to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
  • Related Resources

    Reviews

    Login to leave a review