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Activity One: Weather Data
Activity Two: Weather and Climate Patterns
Activity Three: Weather and Climate Extremes
Activity Four: Weather Forecasts
Activity Five: Greenhouse Impacts and Climate
Activity Six: Understanding Recent Climates Through Tree Rings
Activity Seven: Oceans, Ice and Modeling Climate
Activity Nine: Weather and Climate Together, Now and in the Future
Other Resources

Large white rain cloud.Activity One: Weather Data

Activity One: Weather Station Chart (Download printable version.)

Weather Station Chart

 

Activity One: Weather Report Examples (Download printable version of all 16 examples.)

Weather report example from weathr.com.    Weather report example from accuweathr.com.    Weather report example from weather.gov.    Weather report example from accuweather app.    
Weather report example from weather.com.    Weather report example from accuweather.com.    Weather report example from Accuweather App.    Weather report example from weather.gov.    
Weather report example from weather.com.    Weather report example from accuweather.com.    Weather report example from weather.gov.    Weather report example from weather.com.    Weather report example from accuweather.com.    Weather report example from Accuweatehr App.    Weather report example from Accuweather App.    Weather report example from weather.gov.

 

 large hanging icicles.Activity Two: Weather and Climate Patterns

Activity Two: Historical Weather Data (Download printable version of all four examples.)

Hourly Weather History and Observations from wunderground.com for July 4, 2010 in Bozeman, MT    Hourly Weather History and Observations from wunderground.com for April 1, 2018 in Casper, WY

Hourly Weather History and Observations from wunderground.com for January 1, 2015 in Denver, CO    Hourly Weather History and Observations from wunderground.com for October 31, 2017 in Rapid City, SD

 

Activity Two: Factors That Can Influence Climate Presentation (Download printable version.)Factors that can influence climate_cover   Factors that can influence climate_latitude    Factors that can influence climate_proximity to water

Factors that can influence climate_topography    Factors that can influence climate_elevation    Factors that can influence climate_ocean currents and temperatures

Factors that can influence climate_el nino    Factors that can influence climate_la nina

 

Activity Two: Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Maps (Download printable version.)

Köppen-geiger Climate Classification Maps Key    Köppen-geiger Climate Classification Map Colorado    Köppen-geiger Climate Classification Map South Dakota    

Köppen-geiger Climate Classification Map Montana    Köppen-geiger Climate Classification Map Wyoming 

 

Wild FireActivity Three: Weather and Climate Extremes

Activity Three: Extreme Weather Event Cards

Activity Three: Extreme Events Mats (Download printable version.)

Extreme events that occur where I live mat.     Extreme events that do not occur where I live mat 

 

Weather station against blue cloudy sky.Activity Four: Weather Forecasts

Activity Four: How Weather Forecasting Works Presentation (Download printable version.) 

Forecasting Page1   Forecasting Page2   Forecasting Page3

Forecasting Page4   Forecasting Page5   Forecasting Page6   

Forecasting Page7   Forecasting Page8   Forecasting Page9

Forecasting Page10   Forecasting Page11   Forecasting Page12

Forecasting Page13   Forecasting Page14   Forecasting Page15

Forecasting Page16   Forecasting Page17   Forecasting Page18

 

 

Activity Four: State Weather Maps (Download printable version.) 

Colorado   Montana

South Dakota    Wyoming

Colorado Monday   Colorado Tuesday   Colorado Wednesday   Colorado Thursday   Colorado Friday

Montana Monday   Montana Tuesday   Montana Wednesday   Montana Thursday   Montana Friday

South Dakota Monday   South Dakota Tuesday   South Dakota Wednesday   South Dakota Thursday   South Dakota Friday

Wyoming Monday   Wyoming Tuesday   Wyoming Wednesday   Wyoming Thursday   Wyoming Friday

 

Large blue glacier ice.Activity Five: Greenhouse Impacts and Climate

Activity Five: Example CO2 Data (Download printable version of all Activity Five resources.)

Example CO2 Data 

 

Activity Five: Example Temperature Data

Example Temperature Data for Colorado   Example Temperature Data for Montana 

 Example Temperature Data for South Dakota    Example Temperature Data for Wyoming

 

Activity Five: Bottle Labels

CO2 Bottle Labels 

 

Aspen trees with fall color.Activity Six: Understanding Recent Climates Through Tree Rings

Activity Six: Tree Cookie 

 

Ocean waves crashing against rocks.Activity Seven: Oceans, Ice and Modeling Climate

Activity Seven: Instructions for Very, Very Simple Climate Model (Download printable version of all Activity Seven resources.)

Instructions for Very Simple Climate Model 

 

Activity Seven: Example Climate Model Graphs

10.5 CO2 Emissions    Higher 11.2 CO2 Emissions    Lower 8 CO2 Emissions

 

Two people with umbrellas walking in blizzard.Activity Nine: Weather and Climate Together, Now and in the Future

Activity Nine: How Can I Reduce My Carbon Footprint? (Download printable version.)

How can I reduce my carbon footprint

 

rainbowOther Resources 

Children's Books About Climate Change (Download printable version.)

How can one talk to children about climate change in a way that empowers them to act rather than paralyzes them with fear? Becoming a parent – or a grandparent – poses a new challenge for climate-aware adults, many of whom may still be struggling to come to their own terms with the problem. 

For this bookshelf, Yale Climate Connectons has selected 12 titles to illustrate how authors have tried meeting this challenge for different age levels, from pre-school to young adult. Four of these titles are new releases, suggesting that publishers sense a growing market for children’s books about climate change. But the fact that six of these titles feature polar bears, either as leading characters or as iconic images on their covers, suggests that authors, illustrators, and/or publishers have not kept up with the research on visualizing climate change. Images of polar bears, these studies have found, makes climate change seem a remote and distant problem in viewers’ eyes. What’s more, a recent study finds that Americans now more commonly associate climate change with images of extreme weather than with polar bears or ice. Perhaps when they take up their second or third book on climate change, today’s young readers will see beyond their polar bear picture books.

The descriptions of the titles listed below are drawn from the copy provided by their publishers. When two dates of publication are listed, the latter is for the paperback edition. Books listed below are from (from https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2018/08/childrens-books-about-climate-change/.

Winston of Churchill: One Bear’s Battle Against Global Warming
by Jean Davies Okimoto, Illustrated by Jeremiah Trammel (Endicott and Hugh Books 2013, 34 pages, $9.95 paperback)

Churchill, Manitoba, is the polar bear capital of the world. Every winter, tourists flock to the tiny town to watch the bears hunt and frolic on the frozen waters of the Hudson Bay. This year, though, the tourists are in for a big surprise … Winston! A smart, fierce, brave bear, Winston of Churchill has noticed that his icy home is slowly melting away. He explains to the other bears why the ice is melting then, using the stirring words of his famous namesake, rallies the bears to convince humans to save their Arctic home. But in the process, Winston learns an unexpected lesson and realizes that he, too, must change his ways. This timely, funny story helps children understand that in the face of global warming, everyone must do their part, no matter how small.

The Tantrum that Saved the World
by Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann (World Saving Books 2018, 64 pages, $28.50)

This remarkable new picture book by Australian writer and illustrator Megan Herbert and award-winning American climate scientist Michael E. Mann has two parts. The first is a story about a little girl who inherits a huge problem she didn’t ask for, feels all kinds of frustration as she tries to solve it, and then channels those strong emotions into positive action. The second part explains the science of climate change in language children can understand, telling the stories of the climate refugees who appear in the story and showing how all their lives are interconnected. An action plan then outlines simple and positive actions every person can take to make a real difference and to become the heroes of their own stories.

The Lonely Polar Bear
by Khoa Le (Fox Chapel Publishing 2018, 40 pages, $14.99)

This sweet children’s picture book presents a moving story, set in a fragile Arctic world threatened by global warming. A little polar bear wakes up alone after a furious storm. With his mother nowhere in sight, he makes friends with a mysterious little girl and various animal companions. All of the friends come together in the magnificent polar sky. In the end the little bear sits peacefully, enjoying a winter day lit up by beautiful northern lights. Featuring exceptional illustrations from talented Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le, The Lonely Polar Bear offers an accessible way to introduce children to climate change issues.

The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge
by Joanna Cole, Illustrated by Bruce Degen (Scholastic Press 2010, 48 pages, $16.99)

Trust the bestselling science series of all time to get down to the facts on global warming, so kids can understand the crisis – and how they can help solve it. Like it or not, global warming is a hot topic, and it will affect the younger generation the most. So why not turn to the teacher kids like the most, Ms. Frizzle! Only the Friz can boil all the hoopla down to the scientific facts in a fun and informative way. With trademark simplicity and wit, Joanna Cole explains why the Earth is getting warmer, and Bruce Degen’s bright, action-filled illustrations make the science easy to understand and fun to learn. This team brings a new, improved understanding to climate change, engaging kids and empowering all.

What Is Climate Change?
by Gail Herman, Illustrated by John Hinderliter (Penguin Random House 2018, 124 pages, $5.99 paperback)

The Earth is definitely getting warmer. There’s no argument about that, but who or what is the cause? And why has climate change become a political issue? Are humans at fault? Is this just a natural development? While the vast majority of scientists who study the environment agree that humans play a large part in climate change, there is a counterargument. Author Gail Herman presents both sides of the debate in this fact-based, fair-minded, and well-researched book that looks at the subject from many perspectives, including scientific, social, and political.

Analyzing Climate Change: Asking Questions, Evaluating Evidence, and Designing Solutions
by Philip Steele (Cavendish Square 2018, 48 pages, $21.95)

Scientific evidence clearly shows that temperatures and the level of CO2 in the atmosphere have risen dramatically since the end of the nineteenth century, coinciding with the rise of industrialization. But what can be done to slow the effects of climate change on humans, plants and animals, and natural resources? This book explains the consequences of further climate change, from flooding of coastal areas to unhealthy pollution in urban areas, and how governments, businesses, and citizens can proactively work on limiting their use of greenhouse gases. International accords such as the Paris agreement of 2015 and the Kyoto Protocol of 1992 are also discussed.

It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired, & Get Going
by Chelsea Clinton (Puffin Books 2015/2017, 432 pages, $9.99)

First daughter turned activist and mother Chelsea Clinton shows kids how they can make a difference in their world. With an eye toward empowering and inspiring kids, Chelsea Clinton explores some of the biggest challenges facing our world today. Using data, charts and stories she unpacks challenges related to Poverty, Climate Change, Gender Equality, Health, Endangered Species and talks about what’s being done to make a difference — particularly by kids and teenagers. With lots of suggestions and ideas for action, Chelsea Clinton shares her passion for helping others and shows readers that the world belongs to every single one of us, and every one of us counts. You can make a difference. You can make a change. It’s your world.

How We Know What We Know about Our Changing Climate
by Lynne Cherry and Gary Braasch (Dawn Publications 2008/2010, 66 pages, $11.99 paperback)

When the weather changes daily, how do we really know that Earth’s climate is changing? Here is the science behind the headlines – evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world, sometimes with assistance from young “citizen-scientists.” And here is what young people, and their families and teachers, can do to learn about climate change and take action. Kids can make a difference! This book combines the talents of Lynne Cherry, the leading children’s environmental writer/illustrator and author of The Great Kapok Tree, and the late Gary Braasch, award-winning photojournalist and author of Earth Under Fire: How Global Warming is Changing the World.

It’s Getting Hot in Here: The Past, Present, and Future of Climate Change
by Bridget Heos (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2016, 240 pages, $17.99)

Tackling the issue of global warming head-on for a teen audience, Bridget Heos examines the science behind it, the history of climate change on our planet, and the ways in which humans have affected the current crisis we face. It’s Getting Hot in Here illustrates how interconnected we are not just with everyone else on the planet, but with the people who came before us and the ones who will inherit the planet after us. This eye-opening approach to one of today’s most pressing issues focuses on the past human influences, the current state of affairs, the grim picture for the future — and how young readers can help to make a positive change.

Exodus
by Julie Bertagna (Pan Macmillan 2002/2017 reissue, 352 pages, $13.99 paperback)

It is 2099 – and the world is gradually drowning, as mighty Arctic ice floes melt, the seas rise, and land disappears forever beneath storm-tossed waves. For 15-year-old Mara, her family and community, huddled on the fast-disappearing island of Wing, the new century brings flight. Packed into tiny boats, a terrifying journey begins to a bizarre city that rises into the sky, built on the drowned remains of the ancient city of Glasgow. But even here there is no safety and, shut out of the city, Mara realizes they are asylum-seekers in a world torn between high-tech wizardry and the most primitive injustice. To save her people, Mara must not only find a way into the city but also search for a new land and a new home.

Love in the Time of Global Warming
by Francesca Lia Block (2013/2014, 256 pages, $10.99 paperback)

After the Earth Shaker, which all but destroyed Los Angeles, 17-year-old Penelope (Pen) sets out into the wasteland in search of her family, her journey guided by a tattered copy of Homer’s Odyssey. Soon she begins to realize her own abilities and strength as she faces false promises of safety, the cloned giants who feast on humans, and a madman who wishes her dead. On her voyage, Pen learns to tell stories that reflect her strange visions, while she and her fellow survivors navigate the dangers that lie in wait. In her lyrical style, Francesca Lia Block has created a world that is beautiful in its destruction and as frightening as it is lovely. Love in the Time of Global Warming has shades of science fiction, fantasy, eco-fiction, and dystopia.

The Last Wild
by Piers Torday (Puffin Books 2014/2015, 352 pages, $8.99)

In a world where animals are slowly fading into extinction, 12-year-old Kester Jaynes feels as if he hardly exists either. He’s been locked away in a home for troubled children and is unable to speak a word. Then one night, a flock of talking pigeons and a bossy cockroach come to help him escape, and he discovers that he can speak — to them. And the animals need him. Only Kester, with the aid of a stubborn, curious girl named Polly, can help them survive. The animals saved Kester. But can he save them?