Lesson Plan: Global Meltdown

Lesson Plan

Introduction

Climate change is creating great concern around the world. Scientists, researchers, activists, and citizens are providing evidence and arguments to call the world's attention to this issue. The change in climate raises grave worries for the future of the North. Scientists predict that parts of the Arctic will be ice-free in summer by the year 2050 and much earlier in the Northwest Passage.

The Task

Students create a series of newspaper headlines to represent the reality of climate change left unchecked and the reality of global intervention to curb it. Groups will create two headlines for each of the following years: 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050. As well, each group will create a call-to-action poster that raises awareness of the impact of a northern meltdown caused by climate change.

The Process

Have students work in small groups. They will first research and analyze the threat of climate change on the North and the impact the threat will have globally. They should begin their research on the topic Breaking the Ice: Canada and the Northwest Passage on the CBC Digital Archives website, specifically the clip 'Global meltdown may clear the Passage.'  In order to complete their research, students will explore the internet and other traditional resources including the archives of newspapers, magazines, and television broadcasts. Groups should note all resources consulted and cited.

Using the information they have gathered, students prepare their headlines and posters.

Conclusion

Gather students and discuss the results of their research. Share and discuss the headlines created. Students should be able to explain the rationale behind the headlines. Display the posters and have students examine each one and discuss its validity and effectiveness. Have students select the poster that they feel would be the most effective. Consider having it displayed or included in a school newspaper.

Material

• poster board
• drawing materials