The Anthropocene

• This course discusses the reasons why some geologists are now referring to this time in history as a new epoch, the Anthropocene, due to the overwhelming effects humanity has had on the biosphere over the last 250 years.
• It includes a video, a vocabulary worksheet, articles, reading guides, a graph interpretation worksheet, a writing assignment, and an assessment.
  

Positives

• This resource does a great job of summarizing information, activating prior knowledge, helping students think critically, and allowing students to work on their reading and writing skills.
• Students can test their knowledge at the end with the interactive assessment.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers and students will need to set up an account using an email address in order to access the material.
• This is part of a series of courses provided by OER.
  
• The PDF worksheets are available for download to print off for students.
• Students will need access to a computer and Internet connection to use the online features.
  

Differentiation

• Middle school students will benefit from the vocabulary worksheet, summaries, and guided reading sheets.
• High school students could have discussions about the topics covered to gain additional understanding and insights.
  
• Math classes could use the graph and worksheet presented as an example of plotting data over time and calculating slope.
• As an extension, have students use this interactive data resource to investigate the drivers of climate change for the world or for specific countries.
• Biology classes can connect this lesson to biodiversity loss, the sixth mass extinction event,and habitat loss.
  
• Social studies classes could expand on the connections between climate change and access to education and equality.
  

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