K-2 Inquiry Guide
Chapter 3. How Does Addressing Climate Change Make Us Healthier
This chapter consists of four guided inquiries that start with a provocation and culminate with ideas to take action.
Contributors: Janice Haines and Nathalie Lauriault
Video guide for Chapter 3. How Does Addressing Climate Change Make Us Healthier? Watch here or in our Youtube Playlist.
This collection of inquiries explores sensitive material. It explores the connection between climate change and many facets of human health. We have included resources, activities, and information to inform educators of the serious and widespread effects that climate impacts have on physical and mental health across Canada. This inquiry also invites students to reflect and consider their own health in the face of these serious climate changes. We explore how many of the actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions also have the co-benefit of improving our health.
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Background Information for educators focusing on the mental and physical health risks and impacts of climate change.
Through open-ended discussion probes, thoughtful provocations, and several hands-on activities, this inquiry provides multiple directions for educators to take as human health and climate change are explored side by side.
Through yoga exercises, observing nature and understanding the importance of keeping our planet earth healthy, students will explore the concepts of health and its benefits.
Resources:
- Possible Pictures for Concept Maps
- Frames: These can be made out of cardboard or cereal boxes
- Happy vs. Sad Earth Sorting Activity
Students will explore idling and its impact on our health. Through games, observations and collection of data, students will educate other students or the community about anti-idling.
Resources:
Students will further explore how climate change impacts water pollution. This will be investigated through observing and analyzing environmental impact.
Resources:
Students will further explore how climate change impacts food security. This will be investigated through experiments,observing images of environmental impact and videos.
Resources:
Chapter 3 Curricular Connections
Curricular connections | Concepts |
Science | Living things Ecosystem Protection Habitats Sustainability Survival Change Environment |
Language | Communication Retelling |
Physical Education and Health | Motor skills Locomotor Cooperation Relationships Choice Self-awareness |
The Arts | Creativity innovation Interpretation Colour Space |