Crossword on Climate Action
Take action to save our planet now. Do the crossword puzzle on climate action with your students.
CBP Updates May 2022
We hope you enjoy getting ready for summer! Be sure to confirm your summer programs are up-to-date on the CAELI Community-Based Partner (CBP) Hub.
Crossword on Endangered Animals
What do you know about endangered animals? Complete a crossword puzzle to find out!
Endangered Species Day, Biodiversity, and New Lesson Series!
There are over two million known species of animals on Earth. But, as of 2022, a total of 41,415 species are endangered and 16,306 are threatened with extinction. This week we focus on the importance of biodiversity and feature a few high-quality resources that you can use in your classroom.
Tough Choices
After Coco had her first asthma attack at a school’s 100-meter relay event, she investigates the sources of air pollution in the area, determined to improve the air quality.
Unit Overview
Through readings, activities and discussions, students learn about air pollution and its main causes and effects on people. After Coco had her first asthma attack at a school’s 100-meter relay event, she investigates the sources of air pollution in the area, determined to improve the air quality. Students also role play different community members in a town meeting to voice their opinions and vote on the future of on a local coal-fired power plant.
Grades
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Lesson Type
In-class or online lesson
Environmental Topics
Environmental Justice, Green Guardianship, Health, Pollution, Sustainable Human Development
Environmental Literacy Core Principles
For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.
Standards
ELA: RL.3.1 RL.3.3 RL.3.4 RL.3.7 W.3.1 W.3.3 W.3.4 W.3.5 W.3.7 W.3.8 SL.3.1 SL.3.2 SL.3.3 SL.3.4 SL.3.6 RL.4.1 RL.4.3 RL.4.4 RL.4.7 W.4.1 W.4.3 W.4.4 W.4.5 W.4.7 W.4.8 W.4.9 SL.4.1 SL.4.2 SL.4.3 SL.4.4 SL.4.6 RL.5.1 RL.5.4 RL.5.7 W.5.1 W.5.3 W.5.4 W.5.5 W.5.7 W.5.8 W.5.9 SL.5.1 SL.5.2 SL.5.3 SL.5.4 SL.5.6
History Social-Science: HSS-3.4 HSS-4.5 HSS-5.7
Science: 3-LS3-2 4-ESS3-1
Guides
This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around pollution and the effects of pollution on health. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.
Lessons
Three lessons of 40 minutes each.
Lesson 1: Asthma Attack
Through a story and related activities, students join Coco and her friends at their school’s annual 100-meter relay race. While running, Coco has trouble breathing and then collapses on the track. It turns out that she just had her first asthma attack. At the hospital, Coco learns about the condition and its relationship to air quality. This discovery sends Coco and her friends on a mission to investigate the sources of air pollution in their area.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 2: Preparing for a Meeting
Students are invited to role play members in Coco’s community and attend a special town meeting that may decide the future of a local coal-fired power plant. Students are given individual role cards from four groups—health experts, community members, environmental activists, and power plant representatives. In these groups, students conduct research and prepare for their speeches at the meeting.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 3: A Special Meeting
In the third lesson, students use their research to role play a special town meeting. Representatives from each group state their concerns, make recommendations, and answer questions from other groups. At the conclusion of the presentations, students vote in character for or against the continuation of the coal-fired power plant. Then they vote again from their own points of view.
Lesson Materials
Air Pollution and Environmental justice
Hi, welcome to The Poppy Podcast. I’m your host, Poppy. In this episode, I talk to Michael Newman, an environmental scientist who studies the impact of air pollution on people of different races, ethnicities and income levels.
Air Pollution and Environmental justice
Transcript
Poppy:
Hi, welcome to The Poppy Podcast. I’m your host, Poppy. In this episode, I talk to Michael Newman, an environmental scientist who studies the impact of air pollution on people of different races, ethnicities and income levels. We will explore how air pollution disproportionally affects low-income families and people of color.
(dial tone)
Poppy:
Hi, Michael. Thank you for speaking with me on this very important matter. We all know that air pollution can cause severe health issues like asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. Does air pollution affect some people more than others? Who exactly are these people? What does your research tell you?
Michael:
Hi, Poppy. Thanks for having me. Well… air pollution, intensified by climate change, does affect people differently. Many studies show that children, the elderly and people from low-income families are the most affected. Those living close to sources of pollution like fossil fuel power plants are also more vulnerable to air pollution related health problems. And when we look at people’s exposure to air pollution based on who they are — like their race, ethnicity and income level — we find that people of color have a much higher exposure rate than white people.
Poppy:
Why do you think people of color face disproportionate exposure to air pollution?
Michael:
Well, this is a result of systemic racism in this country. Racism, discriminatory housing practices and real estate costs have pushed people of color into areas that are more polluted. Fossil fuel power plants that contribute to fine particle air pollution tend to be located near disadvantaged communities because of low land costs and regulatory loopholes.
Poppy:
This is so unfair! These communities are the least prepared to cope with long-term health problems like asthma and cancer! How can they afford the extra medical bills?
Michael:
You hit the nail on the head. Low-income communities are even more susceptible because they don’t have access to proper medical care, healthy grocery options, and safe working conditions. Many people have to work outdoors in heat or on smog days, which increases their exposure to ozone and particulate matter pollution.
Poppy:
And I guess it is not easy to take sick days, either. You painted a very grim picture. Is there any hope at all for disadvantaged communities? What can we do to address these problems?
Michael:
The short answer is yes. There certainly is hope; 28% of the coal-fired power plants operating right now are scheduled to be retired by 2035. But this isn’t enough. More power plants that run on fossil fuels need to be closed. The conversion to clean energy needs to be accelerated, too. To protect public health, higher standards need to be set for pollutants like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides.
Poppy:
A lot needs to be done. I think we should all take an active role in shaping air pollution-related regulations that affect the well-being of our communities.
Michael:
Absolutely.
Poppy:
That’s all we have time for today. Thank you for listening to The Poppy Podcast. I’ll see you next time.
My Carbon Neutral School
Students explore how schools can become carbon neutral. They learn about non-renewable and renewable energy and go on a school energy audit with Dean and his friends.
Unit Overview
Through readings, activities and discussions, students explore how schools can become carbon neutral. They learn about non-renewable and renewable energy and go on a school energy audit with Dean and his friends. They also perform calculations based on the data and recommend practical and creative ways for their school to neutralize its carbon emission.
Grades
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Lesson Type
In-class or online lesson
Environmental Topics
Green Guardianship, Resource Conservation, Sustainable Human Development
Environmental Literacy Core Principles
For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.
Standards
ELA: RL.3.1 RL.3.3 RL.3.4 .W.3.1 W.3.2 W.3.4 W.3.5 W.3.6 W.3.7 W.3.8 SL.3.1 SL.3.3 SL.3.4 .SL.3.6 RL.4.1 RL.4.4 RL.4.7 W.4.1 W.4.2 W.4.4 W.4.5 W.4.6 W.4.7 W.4.8 SL.4.1 SL.4.3 SL.4.4 SL.4.5 RL.5.1 RL.5.4 RL.5.7 W.5.1 W.5.2 W.5.4 W.5.5 W.5.6 W.5.7 W.5.8 W.5.9 SL.5.1 SL.5.2 SL.5.3 SL.5.4 SL.5.5 SL.5.6
History Social-Science: HSS-3.4.2 HSS-3.5 HSS-3.5.3 HSS-3.5.4
Math: 3.MD.B.3 3.NBT.A.2 4.OA.A.2 4.OA.A.3 4.NBT.A.1 4.NBT.A.2 4.NBT.B.5 4.MD.A.2 5.NBT.B.5 5.MD.A.1
Science: 4-ESS3-1 5-PS1-3 5-ESS3-1 3-5-ETS1-1 3-5-ETS1-2 3-5-ETS1-3
Guides
This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around energy consumption and what it means to go carbon neutral. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.
Lessons
Four lessons of 40-60 minutes each.
Lesson 1: Blackout!
Through a story and related activities, students follow Dean and his friends as they learn about non-renewable and renewable energy. When a blackout interrupts their science class, they begin researching the challenges facing aging power grids designed to run on fossil fuels. The class decides to reduce their school’s energy consumption and in turn, their carbon emission.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 2: An Energy Audit
The story continues as our characters conduct an energy audit. They collect and analyze their school’s daily energy consumption and compare the data before and after energy-saving practices are introduced. At the end of the experiment, they find that by changing how they use energy, the school cut 568 kg of carbon emissions in 10 days.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 3: Carbon Neutral Schools
In the third lesson, Teddy and Poppy give presentations on their ideas for a carbon neutral school. Teddy presents on planting trees on campus as a way to offset the school’s carbon footprint. Poppy presents on ways to conserve energy and recommends switching to energy efficient appliances. After each presentation, students work math problems to calculate the carbon savings of their recommended methods. They discuss the pluses and minuses of each proposed solution.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 4: Dean’s Clean Energy Solution
In the fourth lesson, Dean presents his idea. He suggests that the school should switch to onsite renewable energy with a combination of solar panels on the roof and spinning wind turbines on the outer walls. Until the school can make this transition, Dean proposes that the school should make green power purchases from companies that specialize in producing and supplying clean energy. The lesson culminates in a carbon neutral school design challenge that invites students to identify energy consumption issues in their schools and propose a plan to address them.
Lesson Materials
Exploring Ecosystems
Students study ecosystems and keystone species by focusing on one of the most famous denizens of the Mojave Desert, the giant yucca or Joshua tree.
Unit Overview
Through readings, activities and discussions, students study ecosystems and keystone species by focusing on one of the most famous denizens of the Mojave Desert, the giant yucca or Joshua tree. Teddy and his friends take a field trip to Joshua Tree National Park where their guide, Katherine, explains the threats facing Joshua trees– climate change, wildfires and human encroachment. Students also learn about their cultural significance, why it is important to care about preserving them and steps they can take to safeguard biodiversity.
Grades
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Lesson Type
In-class or online lesson
Environmental Topics
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Disasters and Conflicts, Ecosystems, Environmental Justice, Resource Conservation, Sustainable Human Development
Environmental Literacy Core Principles
For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.
Standards
ELA: RL.3.1 RL.3.2 RL.3.4 RL.3.7 W.3.1 W.3.4 W.3.5 W.3.7 SL.3.1 SL.3.2 SL.3.3 SL.3.6 RL.4.1 RL.4.2 RL.4.4 RL.4.7 W.4.1 W.4.2 W.4.4 W.4.5 W.4.7 SL.4.1 SL.4.2 SL.4.3 SL.4.5 RL.5.1 RL.5.2 RL.5.4 RL.5.6 RL.5.7 W.5.1 W.5.2 W.5.4 W.5.5 W.5.7 SL.5.1 SL.5.2 SL.5.3 SL.5.4 SL.5.5
History Social-Science: HSS-3.1.1, HSS-3.2.2, HSS-3.4.2, HSS-3.5.1, HSS-4.1.3
Science: 3-LS2-1, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-ESS3-1, 5-LS2-1, 5-ESS3-1
Guides
This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around ecosystems, keystone species, endangered species, invasive species and natural vs human-made climate change. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.
Lessons
Three lessons of 30-40 minutes each and a project.
Lesson 1: What is a Joshua Tree?
Through a story and related activities, students follow Teddy and his friends as they explore ecosystems. Sparked by a news report about illegal destruction of 36 Joshua trees, they get busy searching for more information about the Joshua tree ecosystem in the Mojave Desert.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 2: A Keystone Species
The story continues as students tour the Joshua Tree National Park with Teddy and his friends. Katherine, the park guide, explains that far from being a wasteland, the desert is full of life. The children learn that Joshua trees are a keystone species but that they also depend on a number of environmental factors for survival. Katherine also shares the diverse ecosystem services provided by Joshua trees.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 3: Preserving Ecosystems
In the third lesson, students explore threats to the Joshua tree ecosystem: natural disasters, invasive species, reproduction issues, climate change and global warming. They discuss the fire at Cima Dome that destroyed 25% of the Joshua trees in the Mojave Preserve as a case in point. While the situation appears bleak, Katherine ends the tour on a high note with a video that details restoration efforts in the Cima Dome area.
Lesson Materials
Project: My Ecosystem Stewardship Project
Students are invited to become ecosystem stewards. They will research a fragile ecosystem in their local area, make an ecosystem stewardship pledge, and take action to help conserve and restore the ecosystem.
Lesson Materials
My Journey to Circular Fashion
Students follow Coco, Dean and Poppy as they shop for new clothes. Poppy offers her friends a sustainable alternative to their “fast fashion” choices. They also learn how marketing, worker exploitation, overproduction and overconsumption lead to massive amounts of clothing waste.
Unit Overview
Through readings, activities and discussions, students follow Coco, Dean and Poppy as they shop for new clothes. Poppy offers her friends a sustainable alternative to their “fast fashion” choices. She introduces them to Rosie, who runs a second-hand clothing store. Rosie explains how marketing, worker exploitation, overproduction and overconsumption lead to massive amounts of clothing waste. Students explore solutions offered by “circular fashion”—the opposite of “throw-away” fashion.
Grades
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Lesson Type
In-class or online lesson
Environmental Topics
Ecosystems, Green Guardianship, Environmental Justice, Pollution, Resource Conservation, Sustainable Human Development, Waste Management
Environmental Literacy Core Principles
For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.
Standards
ELA: RL.3.1, RL.3.2, RL.3.3, RL.3.4, W.3.7, W.3.8, SL.3.1, SL.3.2, SL.3.3, SL.3.4, SL.3.6, RL.4.1, RL.4.4, RL.4.7, W.4.7, W.4.8, W.4.9, SL.4.1, SL.4.2, SL.4.3, SL.4.4, RL.5.1, RL.5.3, RL.5.4, W.5.7, W.5.8, W.5.9, SL.5.1, SL.5.2, SL.5.3, SL.5.4
History-Social Science: HSS-3.5.3
Science: 3-5-ETS1-, 3-5-ETS1-2
Guides
This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around clothing, sustainable and unsustainable fashion trends, reuse of clothing and upcycling and recycling fabric waste. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.
Lessons
Three lessons of 30-40 minutes each.
Lesson 1: A Shopping Trip
Through a story and related activities, students are introduced to the advantages of wearing reused clothing. Coco, Dean and Poppy are shopping for new clothes to wear on the first day of school. At the mall, Coco and Dean are captivated by cheap “fast fashions”. But Poppy will have none of it. She invites her friends to Rosie’s Second-hand Shop where she volunteers. Coco and Dean begin to reconsider their shopping habits.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 2: What a Waste!
Through a story and related activities, students learn about the environmental impact of clothing. Rosie explains that the fashion industry makes a huge carbon footprint. It feeds consumers’ demand for cheap, stylish clothes by producing items quickly and in large quantities. Students consider how textile waste is managed and where it ends up. Donating used clothing to thrift stores like Rosie’s is only a partial solution.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 3: 6Rs for Reducing Clothing Waste
In the third lesson, Poppy and friends research more on clothing waste and discuss the social impact of the “throwaway” culture. They are determined to make fashion circular by applying the 6Rs: refuse, re-wear, reuse, repair, repurpose and recycle. They also learn about the pros and cons of organic cotton and alternative fibers like bamboo. The lesson invites students to start their own circular fashion initiative by identifying a clothing-waste related problem at home or in their community, researching existing practices and proposing a solution.
Lesson Materials
Bananas About Chocolate
Students follow the story of Bruno and his friends during their visit to a chocolate festival. As they learn more about chocolate, they begin to question the production practices that keep chocolate at low prices.
Unit Overview
Through readings, activities and discussions, students follow the story of Bruno and his friends during their visit to a chocolate festival. As they learn more about chocolate, they begin to question the production practices that keep chocolate at low prices. After meeting a fair trade chocolate entrepreneur, they decide to start their own sustainable chocolate company. But before that can happen, they have a lot of research to do.
Grades
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Lesson Type
In-class or online lesson
Environmental Topics
Climate Change, Environmental Justice, Ecosystems, Resource Conservation, Sustainable Human Development
Environmental Literacy Core Principles
For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.
Standards
ELA: RF.3.4, RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.5, RI.3.6, RI.3.7, RI.3.9, W.3.2, W.3.4, W.3.5, W.3.6, W.3.7, W.3.8, SL.3.1., SL.3.2, SL.3.3, SL.3.5, SL.3.6, RF.4.4, RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, RI.4.4, RI.4.5, RI.4.7, RI.4.9, W.4.2, W.4.4, W.4.5, W.4.6, W.4.7, W.4.8, SL.4.1., SL.4.3, SL.4.4, SL.4.5, RF.5.4, RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.4, RI.5.5, RI.5.6, RI.5.7, RI.5.8, RI.5.9, W.5.2, W.5.4, W.5.5, W.5.6, W.5.7, W.5.8, SL.5.1, SL.5.3, SL.5.4, SL.5.5, SL.5.6
HSS: HSS-3.5.1, HSS-3.5.2, HSS-3.5.3
Science: 3-5-ETS1-2, 5-ESS3-1
Guides
This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around chocolate, supply chains and fair trade. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.
Lessons
Two lessons of 30-40 minutes each and a 3-day project.
Lesson 1: All About Chocolate
Through a story and related activities, students explore a chocolate festival with Bruno and his friends and learn about the history of chocolate and the chocolate industry today. As Bruno and his friends learn more, they begin to question the practices in chocolate production. They then meet Fabio Huerta, a sustainable chocolatier, who introduces them to the concept of “bean to bar”, a sustainable practice to making chocolate.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 2: The Chocolate Supply Chain
Through a brochure and related activities, students are introduced to the concept of supply chains that link the developed and developing worlds. They also learn about the hidden human and environmental costs of the chocolate industry. To make better and fairer chocolate, Bruno and his friends decide to start a chocolate company based on ethical principles.
Lesson Materials
WebQuest: Bruno’s Chocolate
In this 3-day WebQuest, Bruno and his friends research the problems facing the chocolate industry today and their solutions. Students join the characters in reading articles, watching videos and answering questions about different stakeholders in the chocolate supply chain. The final project is to help Bruno and his friends design an advertising campaign for a fair and sustainable chocolate product.