Global Atmospheric Change
The Global Atmospheric Change unit enables students to explore Earth's atmosphere, fossil fuels, energy and the carbon cycle, the greenhouse effect, and how climate affects how we live in different parts of the world. The unit’s integrated components help students understand important science, health, and environmental concepts related to changes in Earth’s environment.
The Science of Global Atmospheric Change Teacher’s Guide provides inquiry-based lessons that entice students to discover concepts in science, mathematics, and health through hands-on activities.
In the student storybook Mr. Slaptail’s Curious Contraption, Riff and Rosie can't wait to see what contraption Mr. Slaptail is building now—on his rooftop! While they investigate, an explosion occurs at the local coal mine. After mine owner Beulah Diggerpaw is rescued, she announces the mine will close. The coal mine fuels most of the energy needs in Bright Water Corners. What will they use for energy?
Explorations is a colorful magazine full of articles and fun things for children and adults to try in class or at home, including hands-on activities such as making a sundial and creating a model of how Earth's environment is affected by natural and man-made disasters.
The Math Link extends each unit by connecting the story and hands-on science activities to mathematics skill-building and critical-thinking exercises, and The Reading Link provides language arts activities related to the story.
Complete Teacher's Guide
Teacher Guide
The Science of Global Atmospheric Change
Students investigate different sources of energy and how they can affect the atmosphere and global ecology.
Slide Set
Classroom Slides
Slide set containing information and images from The Science of Global Atmospheric Change Teacher's Guide, for use in classrooms as needed.
Individual Lessons
Earth's Energy Sources (pre-assessment)
Students take a pre-assessment to gauge their knowledge of climate change, the atmosphere and carbon cycle, skin cancer and human health.
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Rainbow in the Room
Students learn about colors, prisms and light, and draw their own rainbows in the proper color sequence.
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Modeling Earth's Atmosphere
Students create a 3-m scale model of the atmosphere to learn about its composition and structure.
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Fossil Fuels and the Carbon Cycle
Students learn how geologists locate fossil fuels by using a straw to extract "core samples" from a model that has different layers.
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Finding the Carbon in Sugar
Students learn about combustion and energy by observing (1) a candle burn within a sealed jar and (2) the burning of white sugar.
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Fuel for Living Things
Students observe and discuss what happens when yeast cells are provided with a source of food (sugar).
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Measuring and Protecting Skin
Students compare and contrast their own skin (including its surface area) with that of an orange.
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Using Heat from the Sun
Students conduct a discovery activity that allows them to observe how energy from sunlight can heat water.
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Greenhouse S'Mores
Students learn about the greenhouse effect by observing the reflective or heat-trapping qualities of different materials.
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People and Climate
Students learn about Earth’s major climate types, how climate affects people's lifestyles, and impacts of climate change.
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Everyone Counts (post-assessment)
Students review ideas covered in the Global Atmospheric Change unit, write persuasive letters, and revise their pre-assessments, as needed.
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Free, downloadable components from the Global Atmospheric Change unit for teaching your students about how climate change affects everyone.
Reading
Mr. Slaptail's Curious Contraption
Riff and Rosie, Mr. Slaptail and their neighbor, Beulah Diggerpaw, have an adventure while learning about energy use.
K-2
Reading
Explorations Magazine
Students learn about Earth's atmosphere and the greenhouse effect, identify where children live based on their clothing, make a sundial, and model Earth's atmosphere.
K-2
Worksheets
The Math Link
Math worksheets designed to meet common mathematics objectives. Activities are integrated with the storybook, Mr. Slaptail's Curious Contraption.
K-2
Worksheets
The Reading Link
Reading and language arts worksheets with activities that are directly related to the book, Mr. Slaptail's Curious Contraption.
K-2
Worksheets
Make a Paper Pinwheel
Students create a paper pinwheel using a template provided in the Global Atmospheric Change unit storybook, Mr. Slaptail's Curious Contraption.
K-2
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Nature News Stories
BioEd Online is pleased to provide current biology and life sciences news stories from Nature News, the science syndication arm of the premier international science publisher, the Nature Publishing Group.
For articles on a variety of topics, visit BioEd Online's Nature News library.
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Resources
The Air Unit
The Air unit lets students creatively explore air and the atmosphere, air quality and related issues such as allergens in the places we live, study and work.
Resources
The Food Unit
The Food unit allows students to have fun learning about food sources, healthy eating, food safety, food groups and overall nutrition.
Resources
The Water Unit
The Water unit provides students with a fresh look at water and lets them discover why it is necessary to the well-being of all living creatures.
Funding
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH
My Health My World: National Dissemination
Grant Number: 5R25ES009259
The Environment as a Context for Opportunities in Schools
Grant Number: 5R25ES010698, R25ES06932