individuals & societies

LESSON 1: Causes of Climate Change

General Information

  • Subject: Climate Change

  • Date: Monday, 23rd March

UNIT DURATION

  • Duration: 6 Weeks

KEY CONCEPT

  • Global Context: Global Interactions

  • Statement of Inquiry: Investigate human activities and natural processes that influence climate systems, ecosystems, and societies; responses to climate change and plastic pollution.

THE BIG PICTURE: YEAR 7 INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES - UNIT 3

  • Focus: Climate Change

  • Investigative Focus:

    • Geological timescales

    • Human and natural causes of climate change

    • Evidence of change

    • Global problem of plastic pollution

UNIT OVERVIEW - WHAT WILL WE LEARN?

  • Explore the interaction between human activities, societal responses, and global policies affecting climate outcomes, ecosystems, and sustainable solutions.

HOW AM I ASSESSED?

  • Climate Change Quiz: Short-answer and multiple-choice quiz covering definitions, evidence, causes, and effects.

  • Data Analysis: Analyzing temperature graphs, ice cores, and pollution statistics to identify trends.

  • Plastic Pollution Infographic: Visual representation of sources, impacts, and responses to plastic use.

  • Debate: Group discussion on strategies for mitigating climate change impacts.

WEEKLY HOMEWORK

  • Format: Homework booklet with reminders set weekly on ManageBac.

  • Focus: Key vocabulary, practice of new skills, development of Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills in preparation for final projects.

ATL SKILLS

  • Research

  • Communication

  • Thinking

  • Social Skills

Do Now Retrieval

  • Task: Answer 3-4 selected questions in a word document or notebook:

    1. What is climate change?

    2. Is climate change a short-term or long-term change? (Write full sentence)

    3. Name one greenhouse gas.

    4. What do greenhouse gases do? (trap heat/cool the Earth) (Write full sentence)

    5. What has happened to Earth’s temperature? (increase/decrease) (Write full sentence)

    6. Name one piece of evidence showing climate change.

    7. What do scientists use to study past climate?

Learning Outcome

  • Goal: Know the Causes of Climate Change

  • Outcome: By the end of this lesson, students will investigate human and natural causes of climate change.

  • MYP Inquiry Questions:

    • What evidence shows that climate change is happening?

    • How do scientists know the Earth’s climate is changing?

  • Key Points:

    • Climate change has both human and natural causes.

    • Human causes increase greenhouse gases.

    • Natural causes also affect Earth’s temperature.

    • Scientists compare both to understand climate change.

ATL Skills Focused

  • Research

  • Critical thinking

  • Communication

Learner Profile Emphasis

  • Thinkers

  • Inquirers

I Do: Causes of Climate Change – Human Causes

Human Causes

  1. Fossil Fuels

    • Impact: Burning coal, oil, and gas releases CO₂ into the atmosphere.

  2. Deforestation

    • Impact: Fewer trees result in lower CO₂ absorption from the atmosphere.

  3. Agriculture

    • Impact:

      • Cows produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

      • Farming practices release methane into the atmosphere.

Activity:

  • Students watch a video and note 2-3 human causes of climate change learned.

I Do: What about Natural Causes of Climate Change?

Natural Causes

  1. Volcanic Activity

    • Impact: Releases gases and ash; can temporarily cool or warm the Earth.

  2. Solar Cycles

    • Impact: Changes in energy output from the Sun can slightly affect Earth's temperature.

You Do: Independent Inquiry Task

Task Instructions

  • Choose ONE cause to investigate from:

    1. Fossil Fuels

    2. Deforestation

    3. Agriculture

    4. Volcanic Activity

    5. Solar Cycles

Research Questions (to answer all 5):

  1. What is this cause? (simple definition)

  2. Is it human or natural?

  3. How does it affect the climate?

  4. What evidence shows it is happening?

  5. Why is it important?

Final Output Options (student choice):

  • Short reflective paragraph (5–6 sentences)

  • Rap/poem

  • Mind map displaying research findings

  • Simple table graphic organizer

  • 3–4 sentences (for lower ability)

You Do: Links to Websites

Only Use These Websites

  • NASA Climate Guide:

    • Simple explanations about climate change, greenhouse effect, and evidence (temperature rise, CO₂).

  • Oak National Academy:

    • KS3 lesson resources with structure for Year 7 students including videos and quizzes.

Recommended Student Links:

  1. NASA Climate Kids:

    • Designed specifically for school students, focuses on simple explanatory content regarding climate, very accessible for all abilities.

Affirmative Checking

AFL Checking Questions

  • Check understanding via verbal responses or polls:

    • Which type of cause increases CO₂ the most?

    • Is volcanic activity human or natural?

    • Why is deforestation a major problem?

    • Stretch Question: Why are human causes more concerning?

Exit Ticket

  • Students answer:

    1. Name one natural cause.

    2. Name one human cause of climate change.

    3. Which do you think has the biggest impact and why?

LESSON 2: Effects and Impacts of Climate Change

Do Now Retrieval: Human and Natural causes of Climate Change

Questions: (Choose 3–4 to answer in full sentences)

  1. Name one human cause of climate change.

  2. Name one natural cause of climate change.

  3. Burning fossil fuels releases which gas?

  4. What happens when trees are cut down?

  5. Are volcanic eruptions a human or natural cause?

  6. What gas do cows produce?

Learning Outcome

  • Goal: Know Effects of Climate Change

  • Outcome: By the end of this lesson, students will analyze the effects of climate change on the environment and people.

  • MYP Inquiry Question: How does climate change impact ecosystems and people?

ATL Skills Focused

  • Analysis

  • Research

  • Communication

Learner Profile Emphasis

  • Caring

  • Reflective

Key Points:

  • Climate change affects ecosystems, weather, and people.

  • Specific Impacts:

    • Rising sea levels

    • Increasing extreme weather events

    • Displacement of populations (climate refugees)

I Do: Effects and Impacts of Climate Change

Activity:

  • Watch a video and note 2-3 effects and impacts learned.

Effects on Ecosystems:

  • Loss of animal habitats

  • Dying coral reefs

Effects on Weather:

  • Increased heatwaves

  • Stronger storms

  • Droughts

Effects on Sea Levels:

  • Melting ice contributes to rising sea levels.

  • Results in coastal flooding.

Effects on People:

  • Loss of homes due to flooding.

  • Food shortages leading to insecurity.

  • Creation of climate refugees.

You Do: Climate Impact Case Study Project

Task Instructions:

  • Investigate Effects of Climate Change based on chosen area:

    • Ecosystems

    • Weather

    • Sea levels

    • Human societies

Research Questions:

  1. What is happening?

  2. Why is it happening?

  3. Where in the world is this happening?

  4. Who is affected?

  5. What might happen in the future?

Must Include:

  • Real-world example (e.g., flooding in Maldives, polar bear habitat loss, drought in Africa).

  • Climate Refugee Task:

    • Define climate refugee and reasons for forced migration.

Final Output Options (student choice):

  • Short report (5–6 sentences)

  • Mind map

  • Case study summary

  • Rap/poem

  • Short news report/Social Media Blog

  • Extension Task: Choose the most serious effect and justify.

ATL Skills Focused

  • Research

  • Thinking

  • Communication

You Do: Links to Websites

Only Use These Websites

  • NASA Climate Guide:

    • Clear explanations on climate change, greenhouse effect, and evidence (temperature rise, CO₂).

  • Oak National Academy:

    • KS3 lesson resources; explains how greenhouse gases cause warming from human activity.

  • Recommended for Students:

    • NASA Climate Kids: Provides simple explanations, videos, and visuals on climate change.

Affirmative Checking

For Understanding:

  • Students respond to questions from Box A or Box B:

    • A: Fill in the sentence stem:

    1. One effect of climate change is __________.

    2. This happens because __________.

    3. It affects __________.

    • B: Answer structured questions:

    1. One effect on ecosystems is __________.

    2. Why are sea levels rising? __________.

    3. What is a climate refugee? __________.

    • Stretch Question: Which effect is the most serious? Why?

Exit Ticket

  • Students answer:

  1. Name one effect of climate change.

  2. How does it impact people?

  3. What is one future risk?