Lesson Plan - 5 Big Questions About Extreme Heat

Watch a Video
Watch the video “Let’s Talk About Climate Change.” Discuss: Which kinds of extreme weather may be occurring more often because of rising temperatures? Which may be getting more intense?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• fossil fuels
• humidity

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them identify some ways extreme heat can affect people.

1. What evidence does the article give to support the idea that this year’s heat broke records?
The article notes that temperatures reached all-time highs around the world—from Greece to China to Iran. It also explains that in Phoenix, Arizona, temperatures hit at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit for 31 days straight.
^{R.1 Text Evidence}

2. Based on the article, what is the link between weather and wildfires? 
The article explains that wildfires are more likely to form in hot, dry conditions like those the world has been experiencing this year.
^{R.3 Connecting Events}

3. How do the images in the article help you understand the article?
Sample response: The photo of Death Valley National Park shows a warning sign about the extreme heat that area has been experiencing. The photo of smoke in New York City shows one of the effects of wildfires, which are linked to the high temperatures. The photo of people in Rome on a 107-degree day shows how people are affected by extreme heat.
^{R.7 Text Features}

Featured Skill: Cause and Effect
Use the skill builder “Causes and Effects” to have students identify cause-and-effect relationships in the text.
^{R.5 Cause/Effect}