Most of the continental US is in the grips of a frigid cold wave this week. Yet the news from last week indicates that 2012 was one of the warmest years on record. The year past also included its share of atmospheric tragedies, floods, raging fires, and of course Superstorm Sandy. Many of your students (and teachers as well) may be conflicted about climate change and global warming. There are many opportunities to present material to launch a lively discussion about just what is happening to our weather. There are several web sites that provide a good background for discussion.
The National Weather Service (http://www.weather.gov/) part of NOAA has up to date information about the current Arctic like weather with maps and statistics suitable for classroom use.
The web site “The Teachers Guide (http://www.theteachersguide.com/Weather.html) has free lesson plans and worksheets, etc. to print and use in your classroom. Students can even get instructions to build their own weather station. There are PowerPoint presentations already prepared for use in the classroom.
Student at the high school and college level may want to view former Vice President’s Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” which takes critical look at global warming and its effects on our weather and the environment. Try viewing this web site -(http://www.takepart.com/an-inconvenient-truth).
The Weather Channel’s web page has a number of games and activities for children. You will surely find something you can use in the classroom. View http://theweatherchannelkids.com/weather-games/. Here you will also find film clips of weather events.
Additionally you may also want to view the web site of the National Geographic Society and its link for students about weather around the world.(http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/interactiveadventures/wildest-weather/
http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/site.html is the site for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Education. Here too teachers will find useful classroom tools.
I hope that you will find these suggestions useful in your classroom. Stay warm!
c. 2013 J. Margolis
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