News about global warming is everywhere – in the newspaper, on TV and the radio, even at the movies. It’s hard enough for grown-ups to sort out what’s true and to determine what we should do about it. For kids, it can seem even more complicated and scary. Many parents, educators, and other concerned adults have been looking for ways to answer children’s questions about global warming without frightening or overwhelming them, while others are looking for ways to introduce the basics of global warming in a fun, informative, age-appropriate manner.
The most age-appropriate measure you can take as an adult is to help children explore nature in their own neighborhoods and communities. This fosters a strong, positive connection with the natural world and builds a foundation for caring about global environmental problems later in life.
But how do you answer the questions children inevitably raise about global warming? And how do you begin to examine the topic in a manner that doesn’t frighten or overwhelm them? The best strategy is to provide children with brief, accurate information at a level they can understand and relate to – and in ways that are hopeful. The “Polar Card Activity Guide for Educators” is one tool you can use to do just that.
We are excited to present a new series of five classroom lesson plans for fourth through sixth grade educators!
The “Polar Card Activity Guide for Educators” was developed by National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in collaboration with the Global Warming Crusade, LLC to provide fourth through sixth grade students with age-appropriate information, tools and resources to better understand polar bears, the Arctic and global warming. Designed to be used with the five sets of collectible trading Polar Cards, all content reflects the Guidelines for k-12 Global Climate Change Education proposed by NWF and the North American Association for Environmental Education. (For a copy of the guidelines, visit www.climateclassroom.org/guidelines.)
This educator activity guide includes:
Five Lesson Plans (with reproducible student pages that support their content)
Where in the World is the Arctic? – Maps & Geography
Reading about Polar Bears – Reading for Information
Arctic Adaptations – Identifying & Explaining the Adaptations that Help Polar Bears Survive in the Arctic
Writing About Bears – Planning and Writing Persuasively
Global Warming Action – Understanding Global Warming and Its Impact on the Arctic with Actions Students Can Take
Tips for Talking with Students About Global Warming
Correlations with National and California Education Standards
While anyone can download this activity guide, it has been designed to work specifically with our Polar Cards and DVD’s. To order supplies to present the complete series, see our “Adopt a Classroom” program below.
To see samples and learn more about our five series of Polar Cards, CLICK HERE.
As our educational outreach program grows, we will be adding more lesson plans. If you are an elementary school instructor and would like to learn more, please email us at education@globalwarmingcrusade.com
Additional Lesson Plans Coming Soon
As our educational outreach program grows, we will be adding more lesson plans. If you are an elementary school instructor and would like to learn more, please email us at education@globalwarmingcrusade.com
Parents, teachers, administrators, and volunteers can help us with our educational outreach program by participating in our “Adopt a Classroom” program.
For just $50.00, we will ship to you, or your designated classroom, a copy of the complete activity guide, 30 packs of assorted Polar Cards, and the “Polar Bears, the Arctic and Global Warming” slideshow DVD (a $100.00 value).
Comments & Suggestions
We’d love to hear from you and about your experiences in the classroom. If you have something you want to share, have questions about our materials, or have children’s artwork or writing to share, please email us at: education@globalwarmingcrusade.com
But how do you answer the questions children inevitably raise about global warming? And how do you begin to examine the topic in a manner that doesn’t frighten or overwhelm them? The best strategy is to provide children with brief, accurate information at a level they can understand and relate to – and in ways that are hopeful. The “Polar Card Activity Guide for Educators” is one tool you can use to do just that. 
Parents, teachers, administrators, and volunteers can help us with our educational outreach program by participating in our “Adopt a Classroom” program.