When I teach these concepts to my students, I do not focus so much on the consequences of global warming. I sort of quickly summarize the effects of green house gases, then I spend more time teaching and demonstrating the many ways in which the students can do their part to treat our world better. I participate in a special program called Earth Force, where we partner with an environmental agency to teach students about biodiversity and green living.
Question 9 started by asking what would happen if the polar ice caps melt. I discussed the fact that rising sea levels could threaten ecosystems, which can results in the extinction of species. Droughts and floods would increase, which could affect the growth of crops. Lastly, death and diseases may spread throughout the planet. These are all worse case scenarios.
Question 9 also asked what other questions I have about the science inquiry experience. I would love to get some ideas about how to teach global warming to my younger students without scaring them to death. I want to make them aware of the truth, but in the past I have spent more time teaching living a green lifestyle rather than telling the students that we humans are killing our planet and because of that our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences. Suggestions?
Karen,
ReplyDeleteI feel how you talk to your students about global warming is great. Especially how they can help to reduce global warming. I only way I can think to teach younger students is to dull it down from what we teach the older students. I believe children are able to understand what is happening revolving around global warming. For instance they can understand what happens when an animal looses it habitat or what happens when the polar ice caps melt? Maybe half of the problem is we are trying to shelter our students from the truth. Are we helping or hindering?
Yes, I agree. I want to tell them the plain truth about it. But, it scares me as a adult to think about the world my children and grandchildren will be living in in the future. I do not want to give the kids nightmares. LOL I sum it up in my class. I tell them that we are hurting the world and then I get into ways that we can help to make her better. I feel as if I am doing more helping than hindering. It's just like telling you kids to always looks both ways before crossing the street. I could tell them they could get smashed and killed by an oncoming truck or I can say that it is a very important safety precaution.
ReplyDeleteKaren!
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your response to question 9 where you emphasize the consequences of global warming.I do share the same opinion but i will also ask students to read on the other side of the arguments .
Teaching global warming and the catastrophic consequences to your students can be interesting if you let them watch the 'Inconvenient Truth'
by Al Gore the so claimed Global Warming Magnate i believe that they will learn.
Thanks George!!! Can I 'youtube' that video or where can I go to purhcase?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it hurts to scare kids a little, because it does get them to see how serious the situation truly is. But you also have to give them the positive that we can help by making changes in our lifestyles and convince other people to do the same.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing the most important thing; you are teaching your students what they can do to help the situation. As they get older, and they can understand without being afraid, they will learn the serious consequences if the global community does not take action.
Thanks J. I agree with you.
ReplyDelete