Translating Climate Change into Music
Provided by: PolarTREC|Published on: November 20, 2025
Grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: PolarTREC
Region: Alaska
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this lesson, students will hike in nature, identify species that resonate with them, and write a song inspired by the nature in their region.
- Students will work with sound and sight maps, rhythm, and expression.
- This lesson is created for students in Alaska and references species native to Alaska.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Students will love being able to channel their feelings about nature into a piece of art.
- This lesson does an excellent job of fostering in students a love of nature in their region.
Prerequisites
- Teachers will need to set up the hike ahead of time, securing the permission and chaperones that are necessary for their school. Additionally, teachers will need to gather images of native species.
- Students should be familiar with rhythm and meter, and should understand the basics of songwriting.
- Many of the links for resources are broken, including the links for the climate change songs. Instead, teachers can use the songs "Earth is Home," "Fight for You," and "No Straws Please."
- The link to the book The Trouble With Dragons is missing, but teachers should be able to find this book online or in their library.
Differentiation & Implementation
- While this lesson is meant for Southern Alaskan students, teachers can adapt the lesson by selecting plants and animals that are native to their region.
- Students can explore how climate change is impacting their native species and add a call for climate action in their songs.
- Teachers can use this video to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 14, Life Below Water, and SDG 15, Life on Land.
This resource tasks students with creating music that captures climate change as they see it in their local environment. The science content of this project is grounded in an excellent collection from NASA featuring videos explaining key climate concepts. The resource does seem dated, as several links are broken, but the resource is strong and is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
