Exploring the interconnectedness of climate change and the water cycle
Summary
In this lesson and accompanying activity, students will make connections between climate change and the water cycle, realizing that water is an essential element of the Earth's climate. After considering this relationship they will analyze the significant effects climate change is having on the water cycle and the problems it is causing now as well as in the future. Then, students will be presented with a variety of solutions to this issue that focus on encouraging sustainable practices.
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Context
Audience
Climate change and the water cycle affect humans, land, and animals therefore making this a multidisciplinary lesson that can be taught to any 9th - 12th grade students in the appropriate Advanced Placement science classes.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Students should have prior knowledge of these topics:
- A general understanding of what has caused climate change to become such a prevalent issue and the effects it is having on the planet
- Familiarity with the water cycle from taking science classes prior to high school
- A general sense of the water scarcity issues that were occurring before the severe impacts of climate change
How the activity is situated in the course
This lesson and accompanying activity can serve as a stand alone exercise as a part of a related unit within a course.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Describe the different types of freshwater sources
- Describe the water cycle and its relationship to climate change
- List the effects climate change has on the water cycle
- Describe how humanity and the Earth's ecosystem are negatively impacted by this relationship
- List solutions that help to develop climate resilience and mitigate climate change
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Students will improve upon skills including but not limited to critical analysis, synthesizing information and formulating an argument.
Skills goals for this activity
This lesson will also allow for the development of students writing and organizational skills.
Description and Teaching Materials
Materials needed:
-Internet Access
-Companion Google Slides (link in lesson plan)
-Half sheets of lined paper, one per student (World Water Day Activity)
-Organizer for students to take notes on the material discussed in the lecture (blank worksheet and answer key in lesson plan)
-Worksheet for students to participate in the culminating activity (blank worksheet and answer key in lesson plan)
-(Optional) Before class provide access to the New York Times Article "These Maps Tell the Story of Two Americas: One Parched, One Soaked." (link in lesson plan)
Lesson Plan for Water Cycle and Climate Change (Acrobat (PDF) 5.2MB May15 22)
Assessment
To determine whether students met the goals of the lesson and activity instructors will collect and review and the graphics organizer and culminating activity to the provided answer keys in the lesson plan.