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National Cayman Trust

CC1. What do we mean when we say "The climate is changing?"

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About Lesson

Duration: 55 minutes

This lesson will introduce what ‘climate change’ actually means and the distinctions between weather and climate. This will be a chance for students to look at climate data and visualise how things have changed over the years. 

Educational Goals: 

  • Students will understand what us meant by ‘climate change’
  • They will be able to distinguish between what is weather and what is climate

Materials needed: 

  • Graph handout
  • Post-it notes
  • Presentation and notes

Preparation: 

  • Teachers should be familiar with the lesson, presentation and notes
  • Handouts should be printed ahead of time

Lesson Plan

  • Begin with the question: “Who can tell me the difference between weather and climate”?
  • Continue to clarify the differences using examples provided in the presentation.
  • Before moving on, make sure students know the difference between climate and weather.

  • Divide the class into four groups and assign each group to one of the four graphs: 
    • Global temperature rise over the last century 
    • Shrinking ice sheets over time 
    • Changes in global precipitation patterns 
    • Rise in sea levels 
  • Provide a brief overview of each graph to the class. 
  • Instruct each group to spend about 5 minutes with their assigned graph and then rotate them to the next. 
  • They should add new observations and questions and read and/or respond to the notes from the previous group.

  • Start with the questions: 
    •  What have we been looking at, weather or climate? 
    • How do you know? 
  • Gather the class together and discuss the observations and questions from each graph. Start with a description, then move into explanations, and comparisons.
  • Address any pattersn in the questions students have and clarify any misconceptions 

  • Reiterate the difference between weather and climate. 
  • Emphasize that the data shows our climate is changing, and in the upcoming lessons, they'll explore why these changes are happening and what they mean for our planet and country. 
  • Possibly end with some statements that refer to imagined weather (so, in the present tense about rain, temperature, wind etc.), but could also indicate that they signify changing climate. 
  • Leaving the students with understanding that the two are connected and that because climate refers to long-term patterns, changing short-term events might indicate changing patterns

Documents

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Lessons
Introduction to Climate Change in Cayman Teacher Starter Pack CC1. What do we mean when we say "The climate is changing?" CC2. What is causing the climate to change? CC3. What is the History of the Earth's climate and how do we know? CC4. How is climate change putting Cayman at risk now? CC5. How is climate change putting Cayman's future at risk?
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