PURPOSE: A TEACHER READING SECTION

This is an eighth grade integrated social studies and science lesson plan; the purpose of this Webquest is to introduce the concept and effects of global warming on both a human and environmental level. This lesson is also designed to develop problem-solving skills, research skills, and communication skills. This lesson is designed to foster an understanding of working bodies of government, and to educate students on current events.

In this activity, students will take on the roles of United Nations Representatives. You must assign groups of two to three students to each of the following nations:

Australia

England

Iceland

South Africa

United States

Your choice

These are the nations to which the students will pretend to belong to for the duration of the activity.

Students will be able to discuss the differences of these countries' policies. For example, Iceland has the most proactive policy because it will be covered in water if oceans continue to rise; but what about countries with less natural resources or wealth, or countries that do not feel that the consequences of global warming will be so severe? Are their feelings different? Students may also compare the US to other nations. Is America doing its part?

The links on these pages are only a starting point; if your students are educated in how to find reliable web sources, then they should feel free to venture out into the great internet abyss and find information from other sources.

It is suggested during this activity that students reflect upon global warming using their online KEEP journals. If your class does not use this web feature, you may want to look into it, or you may choose to have students journal in Microsoft Word instead.

Ask students to explore the Webquest missions in numerical order, and have fun learning about the world around us!

FURTHER EVALUATION/FOLLOW-UP

This is an introductory activity, so the follow-up possibilities are endless! Students may want to create a web page displaying their knowledge on this current event. Students may want to write their representatives about his/her stance on the environment. Students may want to design a recycling plan for a community building that does not recycle.

You may learn more about me, the designer of this activity, by clicking on the link to my electronic portfolio on the left hand top side of the screen.