Lesson summary
Students will investigate the link between climate change and extreme weather events. They will begin by watching and responding to a clip on how climate change is expected to affect extreme weather events. They will then select an extreme weather event and create a series of focus questions to investigate this event. Students will trade questions and investigate the questions of another group, then present their research to the class. Finally, students are asked to find an example of a good news story associated with an extreme weather event.
These activities “… are an invaluable tool for teachers to address climate change in an educationally relevant, scientifically sound, and action-based way.” – Tim Flannery
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- understand the connection between climate change and extreme weather events
- recognise some of the predicted extreme weather events for Australia and will understand some of their impacts.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian curriculum content descriptions:
Year 7 Geography:
- The causes, impacts and responses to an atmospheric or hydrological hazard (ACHGK042)
Year 8 Geography:
- The causes, impacts and responses to a geomorphological hazard (ACHGK053)
General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Ethical understanding.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.1.
Syllabus Outcomes: GE4-2,GE4-3, GE4-5, GE4-5.
Time required: 60 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee activity and facilitate discussion.
Resources required
- Internet access
- student worksheet
- Prezi presentation, online brainstorming (mindmeister or bubbl.us)
- digital sharing capabilities
- Key reading from We Are the Weather Makers: Chapter 14 – Extreme Weather
- Further reading from the book: Chapter 9 – Magic Gates, El Nino and La Nina, Chapter 13 – Rainfall, Chapter 5 – Rising Waters
Additional info
Digital technology opportunities: Prezi presentation, online brainstorming (mindmeister or bubbl.us), digital sharing capabilities.
Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for homework or extension.
Cool Australia would like to acknowledge:
- Tim Flannery
- David Harding, Rose Iser, Sally Stevens
- Text Publishing and Purves Environmental Fund
- Climate Council
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