Overview and Background: Unit: Oceans and Climates

 Name:  Amy Schroeder

 

Cheney Middle School

 

Title:

Oceans and Climates

Topics:

 Oceans, climates, global warming, greenhouse effect

Time Frame:

9 weeks

Start Date:

 

 

Other Designers:

 

Summary: This unit introduces students to oceans and climates and examines the relationship between them.  Student will explore the evidence for and against global warming and the greenhouse effect. 

 

Print Materials Needed:

Science Plus, Level Blue

Internet question worksheet

Graphic organizer

Rubric

Resources: Videotapes, video cameras, TV, VCR

 

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:

 

Notes:

 

 

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

 

State:

KS

Title:

Science

Standard(s):

 Kansas State Science Standards

 

Understandings: Everything changes over time

 

 

Essential Questions:

What is the greenhouse effect?

Does global warming exist?

What have humans done to increase the problem?

What are possible consequences due to global warming?

How are weather and climate different?

 

 

Knowledge and Skills:

K: Students will know:

·           Earth’s unique climate allows life, as we know it to flourish.

·           Many factors contribute to the temperature of the Earth.

·           The greenhouse effect is the warming of the planet due to the presence of certain gases in the atmosphere.

·           The greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining the temperature on Earth’s surface.

 

 

 

 

S: Students will be able to:

·           Compare and contrast Earth with nearby planets.

·           Describe how specific factors affect the Earth’s temperature.

·           Describe the greenhouse effect, its causes, and its possible consequences.

·           Identify the greenhouse gases and their sources.

 

 

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

 

Assessment Summary:  Student groups will create a news segment about factors contributing to increasing levels of greenhouse gases. 

Student Directions:

1.         Students will form groups of 3-5.

2.         Review the factors that are linked to increasing levels of greenhouse gases.  Choose one factor that is associated with the impact of human activities on the greenhouse effect.

3.         Each member of the group should choose one of the following roles for the news segment: news reporter, environmental agency rep., business or industry professional, government official, or community resident.

4.         Write a script for your news segment.  Keep in mind that the purpose of a good news segment is to inform the public about current issues, to get perspectives from every side of the issue in order to present an unbiased report, and to offer suggestions and positive solutions to the problems at hand.

 

Rubric:

 

Other assessment evidence to be collected:

Greenhouse effect internet questions.

Greenhouse effect quiz

News report graphic organizer

 

 

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

 

Learning Activities: What sequence of teaching and learning experiences will be used?

1.         Hook: Display newspaper and magazine articles about global warming and the greenhouse effect.  Students will work in small groups to read and summarize the articles.  Each group will present a summary along with a list of the facts and opinions given in the article.  Students will discuss if they agree or disagree with the points of view presented in the articles.

2.         Overview and Expectation: What do the students already know about the greenhouse effect and global warming?  Share essential questions.  Go over news report guidelines and expectations with students.

3.         Teaching Activities, Assessments & Rethinking opportunities in order:

                  Students will examine the factors on the Earth that allow life to flourish.

                  Answer questions about the greenhouse effect and global warming by using the Internet.

                  Take a quiz over the greenhouse effect.

                  What is the greenhouse effect?  Diagram the greenhouse effect and explain possible causes. (due to human activities)

                  Discuss news report info.  Show a completed graphic organizer for news report.

                  Complete a graphic organizer together.

                  Each group will collect info. About a different chosen factor and complete the correct graphic organizer depending on the                          part chosen.

                 Videotape news reports.

                 Write a 2-3-paragraph summary that includes information from all the news reports.  You should answer the following questions:  What is the greenhouse effect?  What are some of the factors that contribute to the G.H.E.?  How are all the factors related?                  What is your opinion?  Do you agree or disagree with the greenhouse effect?