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Description
This activity does a very good job in illustrating how the lifestyle of North Americans contributes to climate change and threatens the survival of those living in the developing world. Half of the students in class represent people living in poor nations. They are separated from the remaining students acting on behalf of the developed world by the construction of a simple enclosure. Behaviors known to contribute to global warming are read out loud to the group. Balloons representing each applicable behavior are dropped into the enclosure. Those inside must try to keep the balloons coming from the ‘wealthy’ countries from landing.
In addition to developing a sense of personal responsibility for the consequences of climate change and empathy for those whose lives are most affected by it, students are encouraged to take action to reduce their own contributions to global warming.
General Assessment
Strengths
- The activity is both effective and entertaining
- The activity will promote a sense of responsibility on the part of the students as citizens of the developed world and promote empathy for those living in poorer parts of the world
- The simulation will connect the issues of climate change, inequity and global citizenship to the student's own experience
- The lesson offers students a number of suggestions for action projects in their homes and community.
Recommendation of how and where to use it
The activity will support the teaching/learning about climate change, global connections, world issues or citizenship in a number of subject areas including social studies, science and geography.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
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- Alberta
- British Columbia
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- Grade 7
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- Science
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- Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
- Grade 11
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- Science
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- Science for Citizenship 11: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally
- Grade 12
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- Environmental Science
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- Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
- Social Studies
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- Physical Geography 12: Interactions between human activities and the atmosphere affect local and global weather and climate
- Manitoba
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- Grade 7
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- Social Studies
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- People & Places in the World: Global Quality of Life
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- Social Studies
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- Canada in the Global Context
- Canada in the Contemporary World
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- Senior 2 Science: Weather Dynamics
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- Social Studies
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- Grade 8
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- Social Studies
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- Cultures
- Empowerment: Economics
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- Grade 9
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- Science
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- Religious Education
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- Ethics and Social Justice 2106: Personal search/moral and ethical issues
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- Environmental Science
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- Environmental Science 3205: The Atmosphere and the Environment
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- World Geography 3200/3202: Ecosystems
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- Grade 8
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- Social Studies
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- Social Studies 8 - A Changing Canadian Society: Advocacy and Action
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- Social Studies
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- Citizenship 9: Engaged Citizenship
- Grade 10
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- Geography
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- Grade 10
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- Ontario
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- Grade 7
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- Science
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- Science (Academic):Earth and Space Science: Climate Change
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- Grade 11
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- Environmental Science
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- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Geography
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- Forces of Nature: Physical Processes and Disasters (Univ./College Prep.): The Physical Environment: Sustainability and Stewardship
- Grade 12
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- Geography
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- World Geography: Urban Patterns & Populations (Univ. / College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
- World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
- World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Equity and Social Justice: From Theory to Practice (Univ./College Prep.) :Personal and Social Action
- Prince Edward Island
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- Grade 8
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- Social Studies
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- Canadian Identity: Citizenship
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- Interdependence: Atlantic Canada in the Global Community: Citizenship in the Global Community
- Grade 10
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- Environmental Science
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- Environmental Science 621A: Environmental Challenges and Successes
- Geography
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- What can I do?
- Geography 621A Global Issues
- Quebec
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- Grade 9
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- Social Studies
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- The Contemporary World: Environment
- Grade 11
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- Contemporary World: Environment
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- Grade 8
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- Social Studies
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- The Individual in Canadian Society: Resources & Wealth
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- Science
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- Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
- Grade 11
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- Social Studies
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- Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
- Yukon Territory
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- Grade 7
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science for Citizenship 11: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Physical Geography 12: Interactions between human activities and the atmosphere affect local and global weather and climate
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Human Rights (1)
- Social Justice
