Biodiversity and Climate Change - Understanding the Connection between Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss - Middle School Lesson

This life science lesson looks at what climate change is and how it affects biodiversity in terms of habitat loss and species vulnerabilities. It utilizes multiple case studies to examine the impacts of climate change including coral reef bleaching and biodiversity loss in the rainforest. It looks at the degree of species loss and concludes by looking at the global consequences of climate change as well as what we can do about it.

This lesson is intended for students in grades 6-8.

Specifically, it covers the Ontario Biodiversity Unit B2.7
'Explain how climate change contributes to a loss of biodiversity, and describe the impact of this loss.'

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Explain what climate change is.
2. Describe how climate change affects biodiversity.
3. Identify specific impacts of biodiversity loss due to climate change.
4. Understand the broader consequences of this loss.

This package includes the lesson (student and teacher versions of the presentation), TWO embedded videos, a 4-Question Exit Ticket on Google Forms, and a student lesson handout as a document. The presentation is fun and applicable with many opportunities for inquiry-based learning and discussion.

In order, the lesson covers:

• What is Climate Change?
• How Climate Change Affects Biodiversity
• Habitat Loss Due to Climate Change
• Case Study: Coral Reef Bleaching
• Changing Species Habitats
• Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss – Vulnerable, Threatened, Endangered, Extinct
• Impacts of Biodiversity Loss – Food webs, Reduced ecosystem services, Economic impacts, Cultural impacts
• Case Study: Biodiversity Loss in the Amazon Rainforest
• Global Consequences
• What We Can Do

Included in the lesson package is:

• The teacher version of the presentation
• The student version of the presentation
• TWO embedded videos
• 4-Question Exit Ticket
• Student lesson handout

Google and Distance Learning Ready

• This lesson includes both Office and Google formats for ALL resources. The presentation is in PowerPoint and Google Slides while all documents contain Word and Google Doc versions.
• Your resource is perfect for distance learning and integrates seamlessly with Google Classroom as I've included a link that will automatically create a copy of the resources and put them directly into your Google Drive with one click.
• Purchase --> Open --> Click --> Assign to your students

Having both options allows you to use either without worrying about formatting issues as all the work has already been done for you. It safeguards you in case your department or school decides to go Google 100% and allows you as well as your students to access everything no matter where you are or what kind of equipment is being used.

The student version of the presentation contains multiple blanks that need to be filled in throughout the lesson. These blanks are conveniently underlined and bolded on the teacher copy. I have found this to be the most effective means of keeping my students engaged and active without having them write everything out. This also leaves more time for discussion and activities.

I also have a range of assignments and lessons/units from other grade levels at my store. Please CLICK HERE to have a look around and don’t forget to follow if you like what you see.

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