Climate Change and the Polar Regions

Even though climate change and its effects are complex concepts for Grades K-5 learners, elementary teachers can still play an important role in preparing their students to become climate literate in later years. In this issue, we highlight strategies and resources that help teachers lay the foundations for climate literacy. Observing weather phenomena, identifying patterns, and developing an appreciation for the outdoors will all build the skills and habits of mind needed for learning more complex concepts in the middle and high school years.

Photo: A polar bear slides across thin Arctic Ocean ice. Photo taken August 21, 2009 by Patrick Kelley, U.S. Coast Guard. Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey via Flickr.