Climate Change: Fact or Fiction Unit

Student Packet

cli·mate change [noun] –

a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the
mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of
atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. (Oxford)

The term, “Climate Change” or “Global Warming” has been in the news in the last couple of
years. What is it? And Why is our earth experiencing it? With all the information out there on
social media and on the news reports. It can be overwhelming.

How do you separate the Climate Change Facts from opinions?

In this unit, you will have the opportunity to learn about the many ways climate change is
occurring on our earth. We will look at a micro view in our earth systems to the bigger picture in
our everyday human impacts.

You will complete a final project by creating a media document that be in the form of your
choosing holding credible climate change information and the message is portrayed in an
effective way.
The BIG Ideas!
How do you separate Climate Change Facts from Opinions?
Signs of Change
Proxy Indicators
Earth Systems and how it all works together
Reading and Interpreting Data
What is driving Climate Change?
Natural Resources and Fossil Fuels
Human Impacts and consequences
Our Natural World
Renewable and non-renewable energy
Solutions and Mitigation efforts
Climate Change and the media
Social media platforms
Decode the information

Unit at a Glance

Environmental Issue Report [EIR]

-Every Friday you will be asked to complete an analysis of a media article surrounding
an environmental issue that is occurring in the world today

Media Challenge
It’s a surprise!

Media Week
We will be looking at many various documents and decoding the information whether it is fact
or an opinion

Final Presentation Project

You will have the opportunity to create your own media document of your choosing for your
final project. We will have class time and resources dedicated to this project.

Unit Assessment
Final day after presentations will include a summative test based on our lessons
Challenge Board
 Final Project Explanation

Goal: Create a media project of your choosing that highlights

-credible climate change facts
-Visual data representation
-A specific target audience

Examples;
-News article
-News reporter video clip
-Social media video
-Be creative!

Guidelines to follow!
Climate Change Facts
o Credible information with citations
Visual Data
o Appropriate data display with source
Effort and Creativity
o Takes advantage of project work time during class
o Shows creativity and effort in making the project
Media Document
o Created with Climate Change information
o Videos: 1 min long and max 5mins
o Article: 1 page single spaced, references on second page
Presentation- no more than 6mins
o Eye contact
o Introduction
▪ Show your work!
▪ Explain your process and challenges
▪ Why did you choose this media format
 Rubric for FINAL PROJECT
Name______________
Outstanding Excellent Very Good In Progress

Climate Change (4) Credible data (3) (2) (1)

with citations
Facts

Visual Data (4) Appropriate (3) (2) (1)

graphical data
display with source
included

Effort/creativity (4) maximize effort (3) (2) (1)

in class and showed
a lot of creativity

Media Document (4) Credible (3) (2) (1)

information with
sources, clear visual
display, well done
and put together

Presentation (4) Great eye (3) (2) (1)

contact and a clear
introduction. Final
project was created

Comments: ___/20
 Environmental Issue Report
Why- To help you become aware of environmental issues in your community and around the world and to generate a
list of current environmental concerns

When- A news article is due every Friday unless stated on the calendar.

What- Find an article for each week’s discussion from the newspaper, magazine or the internet

You should….

a. Read and summarize the article (7 points)

b. Explain how it relates to either loss of biodiversity, resource depletion, pollution or other
environmental concern (be specific)
c. Your thoughts and why. Three sentence minimum. This is critically important as what you think will
help shape the direction of our planet!

**Minimum length one page typed (double spaced/12 font) or a minimum of one full-page hand written.**

Environmental Issue Review Rubric- Please complete Name/Title/Date before turning in your paper
Name___________ Title____________________ Date____________

Summary of Article Excellent -5 Good with Concerns- 3 In Progress- 0

-Plenty of Information
-Neatly hand-written/typed
-Full sentences
-0-2 spelling/grammar
errors
Your Comments Excellent -5 Good with Concerns- 3 In Progress- 0
-Well articulated
-Strictly related to the topic
-full sentences
Relation to Excellent -5 Good with Concerns- 3 In Progress- 0
Environmental Issue -Explanation of how this
issue relates to a specific
environmental concern

Comments: __/15
 Unit-Based Assessment rubric
NAME______________
Outstanding Excellent Good Satisfactory
Environmental Issue -Well Written (10) (7) (4)
Reports/15 -Completed all due Comments: Comments: Comments:
dates
-Participated in
discussion
(15)
Work -During free time, (10) (7) (4)
Ethic/Participation/15 worked on project Comments: Comments: Comments
-Participated in
discussions
-Focused on class
work
(15)
Final Project/50 -Project completed (40) (30) (20)
-Followed the rubric Comments: Comments Comments:
and requirements
(50)
Unit Test/20 (20-15) (15-10) (10-5) (5-0)

Final Grade______/100
Comments:

To Qualify for a Changed Grade, you must include below…

a. Reasons/explanations for missed work, test score etc.
b. What grade do you think you deserve and why?
c. Complete one of the challenge Board questions one week from today.
Name______________ Climate Change Fact or Fiction Unit Assessment

Is this statement a fact or an opinion? Circle the right answer and defend your reasoning.

1. “Climate change is mainly caused by a natural variation in sunbeams and volcanic activity.”
Fact Opinion

2. “The global change in temperature in the past 100 years is the largest during the past 1,000 years.”
Fact Opinion

3. “The 1990s was the warmest decade of the past 100 years.”
Fact Opinion

4. “The increase of greenhouse gases is mainly caused by human activities.”

Fact Opinion

1. Describe on proxy indicator and how can it be use for climate change truth?
2. Looking at the cartoon above, do you think it shows the facts about Greenhouse gases? Why or why not?

3. This tweet has a pretty powerful quote. Do you agree with it or not? What are 2 pros and 2 cons about future
climate change data?
Part Two: Please find a computer with headphones and follow the directions below.

1. Photos are powerful tools that showcase many events happening around the world. This photo showcases the
aftermath of Hurricane Katarina. Please send your photos to the email listed on the board with labels.

a. What are two photos that visually demonstrates how climate change impact humans. Explain how each
photo represents how below. Does it show effective climate change communication?

b. What are two photos that visually demonstrates how climate change impacts our natural world. Explain
how each photo represents how below. Does it show effective climate change communication?
 2. Open the link and answer the questions below.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/06/climate/biodiversity-extinction-united-nations.html

1. Who wrote this article and are they credible?

2. Looking at the title, does it show bias and why?

3. What is your overall impression of this article? Does it hold climate change truth to your standards?

Write two factual statements.

1.

2.

Write two opinionated statements.

1.

2.

Video Portion: Please find a computer with headphones and watch the video link on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2aShVTMMNc

1. What is one statement from the video that you disagree with and why?

2. This video explains a lot of information. Should we use this video as a credible source? Why or why not?

3. Do you think it is possible for us to stop using fossil fuels and adapt to a new way of life? What are some
solutions we can start doing now to sustain our energy.

EXTRA CREDIT:

Do you think you can start a dialogue with your friends and family about climate change? Why or Why not?

I DO NOT authorize Antioch University New England to put this document I authored on reserve.
Connor Goncz Walter 4/8/2020