Global Warming: Is it Real? By Dean Berry, Ed. D. This PowerPoint represents the first half of the lesson. Use the video version to view the complete lesson.

Common Core Lesson Read, Discuss, and Write This short lesson is designed to be completed in one or two class periods. In some cases, longer class discussions may lengthen the lesson to three days. By Dean Berry, Ed. D Gregg Berry, B.A. www. Commoncorecurriculum.info

Introduction 3

Common Core Curriculum Standard Reading-Informational Reasoning and Evaluation : Apply reasoning and a range of textual presentation of information(author’s line of reasoning, point of view; relevance of evidence or elaboration to support claims; development or connections among complex concepts/ideas) 4

Speaking and Listening Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly

Common Core Writing Standard Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Text Types and Purposes Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence

Carbon Emissions

Class Discussion What is carbon dioxide? What are some sources of carbon dioxide?

Evidence of global warming has been collected by scientists around the world. However, the cause of global warming is the subject of debate. While most scientists believe that global warming is caused by carbon dioxide released by human activities, some people are still not convinced that carbon dioxide generated by human activity is the actual cause of global warming. Some believe that the natural cycles of the earth cause cooling and warming trends over thousands of years.

Class Discussion 1.Do you think there is such a thing as global warming? 2.What do you think causes global warming?

The scientists who believe there is overwhelming evidence that human activity causes global warming suggest that the causes of dangerous warming include the burning of oil and gasoline by automobiles and factories. They recommend pursuing cleaner alternatives such as solar, wind, and nuclear forms of energy.

Class Discussion What is a greenhouse? What is meant by the “greenhouse effect” on climate conditions?

Scientists use the “greenhouse effect” to explain how carbon dioxide gases become trapped in the earth’s atmosphere and result in warming.

Solar radiation from the sun is absorbed by greenhouse gas molecules and clouds and creates a warming effect.

Class Discussion Why should we be concerned about the potential for global warming? What do you think might happen?

Discussion What kind of problems will occur as polar ice caps melt? What might happen when ice caps on major mountain ranges melt and disappear?

Our polar caps are melting at the fastest rate in history.

The odds of coastal flooding are increasing as the oceans continue to warm and glaciers melt.

Melting glaciers raise sea levels and result in major flooding of coastlands.

As the polar caps melt, large areas of the United states and other countries will gradually shrink. Coastal areas will be under water and unusable.

Class Discussion Which parts of the United States are experiencing droughts? What kind of problems will droughts cause?

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