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The research question that I would use is ” How is climate change impacting on coastal erosion?” As our school is on the coast of Dublin where there has been lots of coastal erosion over the past several years this is an area which is effecting the children and their families. I would introduce the topic by using a KWL chart to assess the children’s prior knowledge.We would then explore maps and satellite images over the span of the last 10-15 years to make comparisons. Following this we could take a class trip down to the cliffs and observe the changes that have been occurring and the steps that the locals have taken to protect their gardens and local areas. I would invite some residents in to speak to the class about how this has effected them.
Brilliant idea which I think engage the children. I love the use of satellite photos to make comparisons.
After studying the EO Browser “Step by Step Guide” and the EO Browser Tutorial I can see that this would be an accessible tool that the children would love to use. The EO Browser is a resource where you can choose the area of interest to you eg : cloud coverage and inspect the different data. There are many different ways that this could be introduced into the classroom such as observing different environmental changes and examine real time satellite images. Class discussions can take place around land changes, urban growth and natural disasters. It is free and very user friendly that I know that children will really enjoy using as it is so visual. I would use this resource in my classroom starting with small groups until they become familiar with using the site.
I enjoyed the video “Home” and can use many of these facts to support my teaching of climate change. The images shown are very powerful and would be a great visual to start a class discussion. I would use this video in small parts in order to be able to discuss the new terminology as some of the images may cause anxiety for some of the children. I think the use of Greta Thunerg’s TED talk is a fantastic way to show such a powerful subject. This video could also be linked to other areas of the curriculum such as literacy through persuasive writing or report writing and through different drama activities. We could then have a class discussion and explore questions such as What’s the difference between weather and climate? When you look out the window, you’re seeing what the weather is like today.
Activity 3 which involves predicting future temperatures based on greenhouse gas emissions sounds engaging and hands on for the children. In order to introduce the topic I would use the Paxi Video which would also introduce the concept of greenhouse gas. The video highlights the positive changes which we can implement to reduce the effect. I think group work would be a good way to help the children come up with some ideas on how we can make practical changes. These ideas could then be presented to the class or the school during school assembly. The tool that I would choose in the temperature predictor which can be used to show the children how temperatures can increase in our local area and the factors that we need to keep in mind when predicting future temperatures.
The videos and resources that were provided to explain weather and climate and been very easy to use and will be useful when teaching this topic to my third class this year. I agree these hands on learning activities are essential when teaching these topics. The children will get an opportunity to measure rain, wind and temperature using different materials. Building a weather station in the classroom is a fantastic approach to engage all students and foster the development of STEM skills at all grade levels. I think it’s crucial to clarify that the student council and/or green schools committee are in charge of seeing to it that the manufactured or purchased equipment is maintained. My school is extremely fortunate to have a beautiful school garden, which would be the perfect place to set up a weather station that the entire school could use.