Clime Time ESD 123 Earth Systems and Changes
Earth Systems and Changes: Climate Impact on Native Bees and Formative Classroom Tasks
In the third Clime Time Earth Systems and Changes module teachers revisit learning from the two previous models by engaging in a phenomena and formative classroom task (either a Claims, Evidence Reasoning or Model and Explanation) around native bees and the possible impacts that climate has on those populations. The conduct temperature investigations, research native bees and effects of changes in climate, engage in a summary table activity and think about ways to support changes in student thinking as it is revealed by the formative classroom tasks.
Immersion into Formative Classroom Task: The impact of climate changes on native bee populations
In this first section teachers are introduced to the phenomena of what is happening to native bees (not honeybees) given the trends in climate change. They answer the question "How does Climate change impact native bees?" by obtaining, evaluating and sharing information about climate and native bees through a variety of grade leveled articles and collecting temperature data for themselves. This is an opportunity to go outside and, using infrared thermometers observe the differences between objects in sun and shade and dark and light objects. Students can average multiple readings for each condition. Also, teachers look at how a year's worth of monthly temperature data compare to typical or historically normal ranges. Finally, teachers dig into historical temperature date over a hundred years to look for trends in data using a resources from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.
Teachers compile, consider and discuss all of the data available to them and then engage in a Formative Classroom Task (either Claims, Evidence and Reasoning such as Argument Driven Inquiry or in a Model and Explanation...their choice of format). They then experience a gallery walk where each team has rehearsed the arguments and explanations and then a "docent" stays with their poster to orally share their findings and conclusions.
What's Happening With Bees Phenomena
What's Happening with Bees Video
Grade Leveled Reading Resources
NEWSELA (NEWSELA allows teachers to select different Lexile levels for the same article)
Rusty Patch Bumblebee Added to the Endangered Species List by Associated Press
Readworks (Readworks provides free reading content and other instructional materials for teachers and has a read to feature for some articles)
5th-The Buzz About Native Bees
3rd-Native Bees of North America
Other Resources
Bumblebees Being Crushed by Climate Change by Cally Carswell
Bees are Losing Their Habitat Because of Climate Change by Justin Worland
EcoWatch Climate Change Could Drive Bees in Warmer Regions to Extinction by Olivia Rosane
Temperature Data
Historical Temperatures for Kennewick Washington (Tri-Cities Washington)
What's Happening with Bees by Marissa Fessenden, Smithsonian.com
Watch the rest of the phenomena video. The article can provide more information as well.
Xerces Article about Sabin Elementary in Portland and Tickle Bees
Supporting Ongoing Changes in Student Thinking
Teachers engage in the development of a class Summary Table in order to surface their current conceptions and verify new understanding as a group. See the Guide to Face To Face Tools and Primer for Supporting Ongoing Changes in Student Thinking bot from the Ambitious Science Teaching Website. The Guide To Face To Face Tools describes the use of the Summary Chart and best practices for effectiveness in its use. The Primer-Supporting Ongoing Changes in Student Thinking is valuable for teachers to read in groups and debrief, paying particular attention to the teacher talk examples.
Summary Tables
Written Guide to Face to Face Tools
Supporting Ongoing Changes in Student Thinking from Ambitious Science Teaching
Primer-Supporting Ongoing Changes in Student Thinking
Career Connected Learning
Articles about Careers in the Study of Bees
Earth Systems and Changes Professional Learning Module by Georgia Boatman ESD 123 is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.