First Graders Explore Climate Change Solutions
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First Graders Explore Climate Change Solutions

Grade 1Environmental Science5 days
In the "First Graders Explore Climate Change Solutions" project, first-grade students embark on a journey to understand climate change and develop practical solutions through imaginative play. Utilizing a superhero roleplay format, students learn about environmental issues and create narratives to present their superhero's mission in combating these challenges. The project emphasizes foundational understanding of climate change, effective communication, collaboration, creativity, and the importance of taking action for the planet's future. Through engaging entry events like VR experiences and superhero challenges, students gain insight into the impacts of climate change and the role they can play in fostering environmental stewardship.
Climate ChangeSuperhero RoleplayEnvironmental ScienceCollaborationInnovationFirst GradeCommunication Skills
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as young students, explore and implement climate change solutions that have a real impact on our world and environment?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is climate change?
  • How does climate change affect our environment and daily lives?
  • What are some practical solutions to address climate change?
  • How can we implement these solutions in our community?
  • Why is taking action against climate change important for the future of our planet?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand the basic concept of climate change and its effects on Earth.
  • Students will learn how to communicate climate change adaptations to others.
  • Students will develop skills in presenting information clearly to an audience.
  • Students will explore different methods humans can adopt to mitigate climate impact.

Next Generation Science Standards

K-ESS3-3
Primary
Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.Reason: Project involves exploration and presentation about reducing climate change impacts.
1-ESS1-1
Supporting
Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.Reason: Although the focus is on climate, understanding natural patterns helps in grasping climate changes.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.4
Primary
Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.Reason: Project presentations require clear communication of climate change adaptations to an audience.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.2
Primary
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.Reason: Supports the creation of written presentations about climate change adaptations.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Climate Change Heroes Challenge

Introduce students to superhero roles dedicated to saving the Earth from climate impacts. Present a live-action scenario where each child picks a ‘hero’ role with special skills to combat different environmental issues locally and globally, culminating in sharing their findings in a dynamic presentation.

Virtual Reality Journey to 2100

Utilize virtual reality to take students on a vivid journey to the year 2100, showcasing both dystopian and utopian scenarios of Earth’s future depending on climate actions taken. This immersive experience serves as a catalyst for them to brainstorm innovative adaptation measures and present these to their families.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Climate Action Superhero Roleplay

Students will take on superhero personas focused on combating climate change. They will learn about different environmental challenges and brainstorm solutions that their superhero would implement to aid the Earth, working collaboratively to create narratives around their hero's powers and actions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce the concept of climate superheroes and discuss different environmental issues like air pollution, deforestation, etc.
2. Assign or let students choose a superhero role based on specific environmental challenges.
3. Guide students to brainstorm solutions their superhero can implement, focusing on imaginative yet feasible ideas.
4. Assist students in developing a short story or skit about their superhero's mission and solution.
5. Have students share their superhero stories with the class or a small audience.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short story or skit of a superhero solving a climate issue.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with K-ESS3-3, focusing on communicating solutions to reduce human impact on the environment and CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.4 for describing people and events.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Climate Action Superhero Roleplay Evaluation Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Climate Change

This category evaluates the student's grasp of climate change concepts and impacts.
Criterion 1

Concept Comprehension

Assesses the student's understanding of what climate change is and its effects on the environment.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of climate change and articulates its diverse impacts on the environment with clarity.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows a clear understanding of climate change, mentioning key impacts on the environment.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates partial understanding of climate change, identifying at least one impact on the environment.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited understanding of climate change without clearly identifying its impacts.

Criterion 2

Solution Proposals

Evaluates the student's ability to propose innovative solutions to address climate change issues.

Exemplary
4 Points

Proposes highly imaginative and feasible solutions that reflect deep consideration of environmental challenges.

Proficient
3 Points

Proposes imaginative and feasible solutions that address environmental challenges.

Developing
2 Points

Proposes basic solutions with some feasibility to address environmental challenges.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to propose feasible solutions, showing little imagination.

Category 2

Communication Skills

This category focuses on the student's ability to effectively communicate their superhero narrative and solutions.
Criterion 1

Narrative Clarity

Assesses how clearly the student presents their superhero's story and solutions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents a clear and engaging narrative with well-structured ideas and details.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a clear narrative with structured ideas and some details.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a narrative that needs more structure and detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to present a coherent narrative.

Criterion 2

Presentation Delivery

Evaluates the effectiveness of the student's oral presentation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Delivers the presentation confidently with excellent voice modulation and audience engagement.

Proficient
3 Points

Delivers the presentation clearly with some voice modulation.

Developing
2 Points

Delivers the presentation with limited clarity or engagement.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to deliver the presentation clearly.

Category 3

Collaboration and Creativity

This category evaluates the student's ability to work collaboratively and their creativity in developing superhero personas.
Criterion 1

Collaborative Effort

Assesses how effectively the student works with peers to create and develop their superhero story.

Exemplary
4 Points

Leads collaboration by sharing ideas and actively listening, contributing significantly to group dynamics.

Proficient
3 Points

Collaborates well, contributing ideas and engaging with group members.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in collaboration with occasional engagement.

Beginning
1 Points

Participates minimally, often relying on others for direction.

Criterion 2

Creativity in Role Development

Evaluates the originality and creativity in developing the superhero persona and scenarios.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional creativity in developing unique superhero personas and scenarios that are both imaginative and coherent.

Proficient
3 Points

Displays creativity in developing superhero personas and scenarios that are imaginative.

Developing
2 Points

Shows some creativity in developing superhero personas and scenarios.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to develop unique or imaginative superhero personas.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your experience as a climate change superhero. What did you enjoy most about this role and why?

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Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how much do you feel you understand about climate change and its solutions after completing this project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What are two new things you learned about climate change that you didn’t know before?

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Question 4

Why do you think it’s important to take action against climate change?

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Question 5

Which superhero ability do you think is most important for fighting climate change and why?

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Optional