Art and Animations Lesson: Climate Change
Lesson Plan
50 minutesGrades3, 4, 5Visual and Performing Arts
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 →
Written by Monica Lilley
About this lesson
This lesson engages students with various animations about climate change topics.
Inquire: Students view a climate change animation video, discuss the content, and describe what defines something as an animation.
Investigate: Students watch multiple animations in varying forms, recording their reactions, emotions, and thoughts towards the animations.
Inspire: Students reflect on their new knowledge by writing a paragraph or creating a comic strip.
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Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught as an introduction to climate change.
- The writing portion of the Inspire section can be completed in a writing class and used to practice or review specific writing skills.
- This lesson is aligned with New Jersey Performing Arts standards, but can be adapted to meet National Core Arts Standards.
- Vocabulary words are broken down by parts for decoding practice and skills.
- Students are exposed to a variety of engaging videos about climate change.
- Students are given opportunities to think critically, work collaboratively, and work independently.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 1 of 4 in our 3rd-5th grade Animate for Animals unit.
- Teachers will need to have worksheets printed or digitally shared before the lesson.
Differentiation
- Students could be grouped in mixed-ability groups to support students of all ability levels.
- Students could extend and practice public speaking skills by sharing their findings with the class.
- Students can watch the two other animations in the Inspire section and compare or contrast similarities and differences. Students can include more than one video in their reflection.
From the scientist review
This lesson allows students to learn about animations that discuss climate change and the effects on people, other organisms, and the planet. Through the use of reflection questions, students can gain an understanding of how animations can relay information and elicit emotions. Students are then encouraged to create their own comic strip about how they feel about climate change. This is a great lesson that encourages creativity, imagination, and visualization of issues surrounding climate change.
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