Introduction

This activity pack has been designed for teachers, and is intended for use by top juniors (aged 9-13 years) taking Key Stages 2 or 3 of the National Curriculum. The aim of the pack is to raise pupils' awareness of global warming (or global climate change). The pack is flexible in that it can be tailored to meet the individual wishes of the class and the level of ability. It can be used by itself or in addition to other materials the class may have on the issue.

The pack consists of a set of factual information sheets which introduce pupils to the subject and issue of global warming, and various activities to help reinforce knowledge and understanding of the issue.

The information sheets cover the following topics:

• what is the greenhouse effect?
• what causes the greenhouse effect?
• where do the greenhouse gases come from?
• what is global warming?
• the effects of global warming
• what is at risk from global warming?
• what can we do to slow down global warming?

The information sheets introduce in a simple way the concept and science of global warming, its causes, its possible effects and how we can slow down global warming. There are a number of points that can be raised from the information sheets for class discussion, for example how the class thinks the UK will be affected by global warming. The text in the information sheets can be simplified by the teacher to suit the age and ability of the class.

There are seven activities for the class to complete and these can be undertaken over a series of lessons or all together. They include:

• word match
• word puzzle
• word search
• greenhouse riddle
• energy inefficient kitchen
• questions
• energy savers game

The word match, word puzzle and word search are intended to test pupils' memory of the key words which are used in the information sheets, and to once again reiterate them.

The greenhouse riddle contains some words which are often used when talking about the issue of global climate change, and if the riddle is completed correctly it will spell a phrase which is a common word to describe the problem.

The picture of the energy inefficient kitchen is an ideal illustration for pupils to see how wasteful a kitchen can be and for them to suggest ways in which it could be made more efficient and save energy.

The purpose of the questions activity is to see how well the class has grasped the concepts used in the information sheets, and should therefore be used at the end of the series of lessons on this topic.

Finally, the energy savers game is intended to make pupils more aware of how they waste energy and what they can do to save energy, thereby reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. The game is basic and can be modified by the children if they so wish. For example they can design their own game board in the shape of a lightbulb, or they could suggest further ideas for game cards.

It is hoped that you find this activity pack both useful and informative. If you have any criticisms, comments or ideas on how to improve the pack we would be interested to hear them. You can contact us at the address below:

Atmosphere, Climate & Environment Information Programme
Atmospheric Research and Information Centre
Manchester Metropolitan University
Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD

Tel: 0161 247 1593
Fax: 0161 247 6332

E-mail: aric@mmu.ac.uk
Internet: http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/