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  • FACTivity – Wide Open Spaces
PDF preview of the Wide Open Spaces FACTivity.
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FACTivity – Wide Open Spaces

  • Activity
  • Middle School
  • 2-3 Classroom Periods
  • Active Forest Management
  • Group Activity
  • Presentation
  • Rural Areas
PDF preview of the Wide Open Spaces FACTivity.
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The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How do I effectively explain the possible effects of climate change to people that live in rural areas?

This FACTivity includes an extension the requires access to the internet.

Materials:

  • Construction paper
  • Poster board
  • Markers

FACTivity – Wide Open Spaces

PDF preview of the Wide Open Spaces article cover. The background is a photo of a grassland habitat.

Part Of

Wide Open Spaces: Climate Change Impacts in Rural Areas of the United States

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Standards addressed in this Activity:

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a set of K-12 science education standards emphasizing inquiry-based learning, real-world applications, and integrating engineering practices, aiming to deepen understanding of science while promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • MS-ESS3-2
    Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
  • MS-ESS3-3
    Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
  • MS-ESS3-4
    Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earths systems.
  • MS-ESS3-5
    Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
The Common Core Standards are educational benchmarks in the United States that outline clear expectations for what students should know and be able to do in English language arts and mathematics from kindergarten through 12th grade, aiming to ensure consistency and coherence in education nationwide.
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
  • Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
  • Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
  • Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information.
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 6 Language standards 1 and 3 for specific expectations.)
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
  • Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
  • Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
  • Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 7 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.)
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.
  • Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced.
  • Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
  • Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.
  • Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grade 8 Language standards 1 and 3 here for specific expectations.)
Social Studies Standards are educational guidelines outlining the essential knowledge, skills, and concepts students should learn in subjects such as history, geography, civics, and economics, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of societal structures, historical events, and global perspectives.
  • Civic Ideals and Practices
  • People, Places, and Environments
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Time, Continuity, and Change
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The Natural Inquirer program produces a variety of science education materials for PreK through grade 12. Natural Inquirer products are produced by the USDA Forest Service, FIND Outdoors, and other cooperators and partners.

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