Extreme Weather: Climate Change Connections & Water

Lesson Plans

Grades6, 7, 8Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Project Look Sharp

Open Resource

What it is

In this activity, students will examine information about the connection between climate change and extreme weather from three sources: Climate Communication, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and The Guardian.
The resource includes a lesson plan, a student handout, a student worksheet, and a PowerPoint presentation.

Teaching tips

Positives

The lesson plan provides discussion questions for several academic subjects.
Students will hone their media literacy skills as they decipher the subtle difference in the messages from each source.

Additional Prerequisites

Teachers must create a free account to access materials.
The lesson plan refers to a "constructivist media decoding process;" these materials will help teachers to understand the goals and design of the lesson.
Teachers may want to go over this handout on analyzing media messages before students complete the worksheet.
Teachers should research the sources ahead of time to understand the viewpoints and biases.

Differentiation

Students can respond to questions individually or in small groups before discussing the answers as a class.
The reading for this activity is a bit dense, so a structured reading process may help some students.
Other resources on this topic include this video on why climate change makes extreme weather worse, this video on how climate change has intensified hurricane season, and this TED-Ed video on the increasing number of extreme weather events.

From the scientist review

This resource scales weather events relative to the magnitude and frequency of occurrence. The activity is suitable and recommended for teaching.

How we review resources

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Other types: Articles/Websites, Activity - Classroom, Worksheets, Presentation Slides
Format: PDF, Microsoft Powerpoint
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Project Look Sharp
Authors: Project Look Sharp, Sox Sperry
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS2-5. + 19 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ESS3-3.MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
D2.Geo.2.6-8D2.Geo.2.6-8 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.
D2.Geo.8.6-8D2.Geo.8.6-8 Analyze how relationships between humans and environments extend or contract spatial patterns of settlement and movement.
D3.2.6-8D3.2.6-8 Evaluate the credibility of a source by determining its relevance and intended use.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7 Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
MS-ESS3-B.MS-ESS3-B. Mapping the history of natural hazards in a region, combined with an understanding of related geologic forces can help forecast the locations and likelihoods of future events. (MS-ESS3-2)
MS-ESS3-D.MS-ESS3-D. Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities. (MS-ESS3-5)

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-5MS-ESS2-5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
RI.6.6.RI.6.6. Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
SL.7.1.SL.7.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
RSLHSS.6-8.2.RSLHSS.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
RSLSTS.6-8.1.RSLSTS.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
RSLSTS.6-8.7.RSLSTS.6-8.7. Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

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