Global warming
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe evidence for global warming and how it is related to human activities.
Key learning points
- Temperature data show an unusual, rapid increase in the Earth's average surface temperature over the last century or so.
- This recent increase in average surface temperature is called global warming.
- There is a correlation between data showing increasing temperature and data showing increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Most scientists agree that emissions from human activities are increasing the greenhouse effect, causing global warming.
Keywords
Greenhouse effect - the effect of some gases in the atmosphere that keep Earth’s surface warmer than it would be without them
Data - observations and measurements
Global warming - an increase in Earth’s average surface temperature
Correlation - a pattern in data that shows one factor changes as another factor changes
Common misconception
Mixing up correlation and cause.
This lesson explores the correlation between data showing global warming and data showing increases in greenhouse gas emission, and that 99% of scientists believe the increased greenhouse effect is the causal link.
Teacher tip
The animation at the end of Part 1 loops indefinitely, so it can be watched several times so that the change in colours - and therefore the change in Earth's surface temperature over time - can be seen.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which gas is released when fuels like coal and wood are burnt?
Q2.Which of these are a greenhouse gas?
Q3.What does the term 'average' of a number mean?
Q4.Which of these are fossil fuels?
Q5.Starting with the first, order these processes to describe the greenhouse effect.
Q6.Which one of these activities releases the greatest number of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Starting with the first, order these statements to show how global warming is caused.
Q2.Using the graph, which time period has seen the warmest average temperatures?
Q3.What does the word 'correlation' mean?
Q4.Alex is explaining global warming to his parents. He says "Global warming is the sudden rise and fall in average global temperature."
What should he have said instead?
Q5.Which of these human activities do not burn fossil fuels but do release greenhouse gases?
Q6.If we continue to increase the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, what will happen to global warming?
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Global warming, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Global warming, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Climate change and living sustainably unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.