Lesson Overview
Students analyze real climate datasets (NASA GISS surface temperature records), construct graphs, identify trends, and evaluate claims about climate change using evidence from data — developing scientific argumentation skills aligned to NGSS MS-ESS3-5 and CCSS Mathematical Practices.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Analyze line graphs of global average temperature anomalies from 1880 to present
- Identify and describe a trend in climate data using quantitative evidence
- Construct a scientific argument using a claim-evidence-reasoning (CER) framework
- Evaluate the credibility of different sources of climate information
Lesson Phases (5E Model)
- 1Display two headlines: (1) 'NASA: 2023 Was the Hottest Year on Record' (2) 'Cold Winter Proves Climate Change Is a Hoax'
- 2Turn and talk: 'Which headline do you trust more? Why? What would you need to know before deciding?'
- 3Introduce scientific claims vs. opinions — scientists use DATA, not single events
- 4Preview the lesson: 'Today you'll look at the same data NASA uses and make your own evidence-based conclusion'
Assessment Strategies
Constructed Graph
Evaluated on accuracy, trend line, labels, and title — demonstrates data literacy
CER Organizer
Scored on specificity of claim, quantity and quality of evidence cited, and quality of reasoning
Counter-claim Response
Holistic rubric — look for use of data vs. emotion and correct application of weather/climate distinction
Extension Activities
- →Explore NASA's Eyes on the Earth visualization tool for live climate data
- →Research the IPCC — what do climate scientists actually do?
- →Compare temperature trends in different regions — is warming uniform around the globe?
- →Use the Science Academy Climate Data simulation to model future scenarios
At a Glance
Grade BandGrades 6-8
Duration60 min
Group SizePartners or groups of 3
DifficultyIntermediate
SubjectScience
Lesson Model5E Instructional Model
Materials
- NASA GISS temperature anomaly printouts (1880–2023)1 per pair
- Graph paper or pre-made blank graph template1 per student
- Colored pencils (at least 2 colors)1 set per student
- CER graphic organizer1 per student
- Source evaluation cards (4 different types of sources)1 set per group
- Laptops/tablets (optional — to access live NASA data) (optional)1 per pair
Key Vocabulary
- Temperature anomaly
- The difference between a recorded temperature and the historical average for that period
- Trend
- A general pattern or direction seen in data over time
- Climate vs. weather
- Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions; climate is the long-term average pattern over decades
- CER
- Claim-Evidence-Reasoning — a framework for making scientific arguments
- Feedback loop
- A process where the output of a system influences its own future behavior, amplifying or dampening the change
Standards Alignment
Digital Tools
- →Science Academy — Climate Data Simulation
- →Science Academy Environmental Labs
