7th Grade Social Studies 9/21/15

Objective: My goal is for students to understand the environmental and

climate issues that the Europeans are currently facing. Through our short
video and a case study application, students will obtain a greater sense of
problem that Europeans are facing and what they are doing to combat the
everyday challenge.
Lesson Materials
Password Vocab
o Students have 12 vocab words in their possession that we have
been reviewing as a class for 1 and a half weeks.
o This is full class participation game that students enjoy and
allows them to practice vocabulary terms
European Climate Videoo European Climate Action- 3:15
Case Study Activity Page 13-15
1. Lesson Procedure
a. Password vocab
i. Review the vocabulary
ii. This should take 5-7 minutes
b. Review what climate is
i. Climate is weather condition that is expected due to a
repeated weather pattern over a long period of time.
Typically a 30 year time period
1. Average pattern of weather for a particular region.
ii. What would you expect the climate to be in Europe?
1. Europe experiences a mild climate due to the Atlantic
Ocean and the warm Gulf Stream that has great
affect on the climate of Europe.
2. Consist of 7 different climate zones which we will
discuss in more detail in the days that follow.
3. Also the Alps and Pyrenees affect the climate in
Europe.
a. Some areas will experience more rain and
precipitation on one side of the mountain than
in comparison to the other, this side is known
as wayward.
b. The opposite side is leeward and this side
tends to be flat, dry and humid receiving little
to no rain.
4. Talk more about the gulf stream in the days that
follow.
c. Show our 3:15 video on the action European Countries are taking
to combat the climate change crisis they are facing.

i. How has the European Union put its focuses on reducing

and limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions and global
warming?
1. What is or are examples?
ii. What is the European Union doing on an international effort
to combat climate change?
iii. What are immediate benefits people are noticing in the
environment and everyday life?
d. Review environmental issues as a class
i. What plentiful resource has Europe used that has been
harmful to the environment of Europe?
1. Burning coal and oil create air pollution
a. Health risks
b. Acid rain
i. Forests are experiencing problems
ii. Lakes and rivers
iii. Historic buildings
c. Water pollution
i. Sewage and waste runoff
ii. Fertilizer runoff
e. Case study Activity page 13-15
2. Review what climate is what weather Europe experiences
a. Talk about the concerns and issues that Europe is facing with its
climate
3. Preview tomorrow
a. Intro to wind currents and water currents