Pedagogical Material on Climate Issues from Germany

Primary School (Grades 1 to 4)

Social Sciences Learnscape. Weather & Climate. Logbook

The logbook is a workbook for pupils. It guides the students through a teaching project on the subject of the weather and climate. In contrast to several of the other materials to be presented below, weather phenomena are not at the forefront. Instead, the three equal columns of the project are the weather, climate (zones, change) and climate protection. In the “climate protection” section, the children investigate, for example, wind power stations and hydroelectric power stations, products from supermarkets (their origin), their daily route to school, opportunities to save energy and the advantages and disadvantages of eating meat.

The logbook is part of the Weather & Climate learnscape for social sciences in primary school. Furthermore, this includes a teaching guide, a bibliography of tasks and a lexicon file index.

verlag für pädagogische medien. Donauörth. 2009. 40 pages. 30 x 21 cm. ISBN: 978-3-403-11701-8

Climate – Workshop: Exciting Experiments about Climate and Weather

19 experiments are introduced, with which children can explore the fundamental phenomena surrounding weather and climate. They deal with the weight of air, air pressure, the greenhouse effect, lightning and thunder and temperature. The objects and materials required can be found in any household.

Ulrike Berger. Velber im OZ Verlag GmbH. Freiburg. 2004. 45 pages. 24 x 21 cm. ISBN: 3-89858-258-2

Weather Contacts: Experience the Weather all Year round with all your Senses

The book is aimed at nursery school and primary school. It shows you how to explore the weather and its many phenomena, such as rain, snow and sunshine, with children. It contains ideas and instructions for observations, experiments, games and projects, together with background information and stories to read aloud. The changes in the weather throughout the course of the year are extensively discussed; climate change is briefly touched upon.

Antje Neumann, Burkhard Neumann. Ökotopia-Verlag. Münster. 1st Edition 2006. 124 pages. 26 x 22 cm. ISBN: 978-3-86702-004-6

Weather

The weather is discussed as a subject in primary school social sciences lessons. The book provides versatile ideas, tasks and (copiable) material. The wind and wind direction, air pressure, clouds and rain, storms, temperature, weather observations and forecasts and climate and its change are discussed. The tasks are suitable for children and also incorporate aspects of other subjects, such as German or mathematics.

Alice Undorf. Buch Verlag Kempen. 2nd Edition 2004. 80 pages. 30 x 21 cm. ISBN: 3-936577-06-4

Secondary School (Grades 5 to 10)

Two Degrees decide on Hope or Despair

The Human Development Report of the United Nations in 2007/2008 had the title “Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World.” On behalf of the UNDP, young people have summarised the most important results of this report in a manner which is intelligible to all. It deals with climate change as a challenge, the term “Human Development”, climate justice, climate protection and adjustment to the consequences of climate change – and consistently provides encouragement to become active.

The book is not educational material and is not a guide for a teaching project. However, with its background information, the many original contributions from young people from all over the world and the wealth of illustrations, it is a suitable source, from which pupils from the first year of secondary school onwards will probably be happy to search for information.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für die Vereinten Nationen e.V. (Editor). Berlin. 2009. 36 pages. 29.5 x 21 cm.

Climate Protection To Go: What’s it to Schools?

Just 30 g – but nevertheless with abundant contents: the book provides versatile tips, with which pupils in your school can contribute to climate protection. These are sorted by the level of commitment required: the book begins with tips for speed, followed by tips for patience and ends with tips for the persistent.

Short and “concise” texts and apt illustrations motivate the reader. Carefully selected internet addresses will help those who want to know more.

Andreas Grabolle. co2online gGmbH (Editor). Berlin. 2010. 32 pages. 10.5 x 14.7 cm.

Free delivery, even as a class set, from the German Federal Environment ministry at www.bmu.de/4159

Climate Protection and Climate Policy: Workbook for Pupils

With this book, pupils can explore climate change and find out about courses of action for climate protection. They can follow the “climate history” of the earth, deal with the causes and consequences of climate change and get insights into the global climate protection efforts. The entire workbook is up-to-date in terms of educational approaches. It uses a variety of methods, which encourage the competences of pupils to act sustainably.

Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit. Berlin. 2nd Edition 2008. 68 pages. 30 x 21 cm

Free delivery from the publisher. The material cannot be photocopied. For this reason, a class set should be ordered for use in lessons. Order or download at www.bmu.de/bildungsservice/

This workbook is also available in English with the title “Climate Protection and Climate Policy”. The English edition also includes materials for the teacher.

Climate Detectives at School

This booklet is intended to encourage schools not just to cover climate change as a global phenomenon in teaching, but to make an active contribution to climate protection within the school itself, thus giving pupils skills that will have a lasting effect on the way they live. First of all a "climate check" is carried out, where the pupils look at different subject areas depending on their age group. The subject of energy is evaluated in particular depth; the climate check on energy is intended for pupils in years 9/10. The book contains background information, notes for linking in with subject teaching, work instructions and good examples for teachers. It also contains a CD-ROM with checklists and work materials for pupils. Additional material is presented at www.umweltschulen.de/klima, with a section in English.

Tilman Langner. Umweltbüro Nord e.V. (Hrsg.), Stralsund, 2011. 80 page brochure + approx. 100 pages of checklists on CD-ROM. ISBN: 978-3-00-028955-2

Climate Protection Activity Book. Lesson Ideas and Material Collection

The book contains three chapters: in the first, a role play about climate protection is described. In the second, a teaching project to develop future scenarios is presented. As well as instructions for the teacher, master copies of the required teaching aids for the pupils are also included. In the third part, many further activity ideas and lesson materials are introduced.

Ministerium für Schule und Weiterbildung (MSW). Soest. 2007. 78 pages. 31 x 21 cm

Agenda 21 and Climate Convention in Schools

A portfolio of files for secondary schools, as well as teachers’ conferences, educational days, parents’ evenings and municipal climate protection. The portfolio includes colour overhead slides on a huge range of aspects relating to climate change and climate protection. Each slide has an accompanying text with extensive background information making the portfolio a treasure trove for speakers.

The appendix includes further suggestions, including those for lesson conversion, an evaluation template for the CO2 balance of a school and a suggestion for a curriculum for sustainable development at grammar school (Gymnasium).

Claus-Peter Herrn, Dieter Prosik, Herrmann Veeser, Wolfgang Weimer-Jehle. Landesmedienzentrum Baden-Württemberg (Editor). Stuttgart. 2002. ISBN 3-89116-057-7

Climate and Weather

How do the weather phenomena we know develop? How can the weather be observed and forecast? What is climate and what are climate zones? These questions are dealt with in the book, with summarised information, a variety of colour diagrams and, above all, with instructions for experiments, which will awaken the spirit of research or just simply promote understanding of natural science. Climate change is only touched upon.

Michael Allaby. Time-Life Amsterdam. Cesano Boscone (MI). Eurolitho S.p.A. 2000. 192 pages. 28 x 23 cm. ISBN: 90-5390-892-7

Weather

This book also encourages pupils to observe weather phenomena and understand them using experiments. It is suitable for the lower secondary school grades.

John Woddward. Dorling Kindersley Verlag GmbH. Munich. 2006. 72 pages. 21 x 14 cm. ISBN: 978-3-8310-0971-8

Climate Change

The 3/2009 book from the “Praxis Geographie” journal is dedicated to climate change. It contains six complete detailed lesson units for lower secondary education and two for upper secondary education. The articles each contain a brief introduction, information for positioning the subject in the lesson and photocopiable materials.

Bildungshaus Schulbuchverlage Westermann Schroedel Diesterweg Schöningh Winklers GmbH (Editor). Braunschweig. 2009. 58 pages. 29.5 x 21 cm.

Upper Secondary Education (Grades 11 and 12/13)

From Knowledge to Action – Didactical Modules – Ocean Climate (CLIO)

What is the climate system? What factors of climate change can we observe? What causes and (ecological, social, economic) consequences does climate change have? How are climate forecasts worked out? What can politics and private households do for climate protection? – In the first part of the materials folder, background information is provided on all these questions.

In the second part, 16 modules are outlined; this should enable teachers to create lesson plans in the sense of education for sustainable development. They deal with the melting glaciers, cows as climate criminals, the costs of climate change and discussion with arguments of climate sceptics. With methods and research, statement analyses, for/against debates and argumentation training, the participants are actively encouraged. These modules are suitable for groups of up to 30-40 people. They require about 3-4 hours each to complete. They can be used in adult education or as projects in upper secondary education classes.

The accompanying CD-ROM contains both parts as a PDF document.

The material is part of an extensive series of material on sustainable development. This includes “Twelve Books on the Future of the Earth,” (to date) six didactical modules of “From Knowledge to Action” and other materials. For more information, visit www.mut-zur-nachhaltigkeit.de

Stiftung Forum für Verantwortung, ASKO EUROPA-STIFTUNG, Europäische Akademie Otzenhausen gGmbH, Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie GmbH (Editor). 2008. 215 pages. 29.8 x 21 cm in ring binder. ISBN: 978-3-941509-04-7

Nature & Mankind in Climate Change

The book highlights the correlation between climate change and biological diversity on international, national and local levels. It provides information on both natural sciences and politics. Short reports from “climate witnesses” make it clear how climate change is already affecting people in various parts of the world and what mankind is doing to combat it.

The accompanying CD-ROM includes further materials in PDF format.

Suggestions for educational preparation are provided. However, the book is not a stringent guide for the planning and execution of teaching projects. Within the school setting, the material is suitable for projects in subjects such as geography, biology, social studies, politics and foreign languages. It can also be used as an extracurricular teaching aid.

Andrea Fleischhauer, Judith Jabs, Barbara Kus. Book 8 of the “Nachhaltigkeit hat viele Gesichter – Sustainability has many Faces” series. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). Eschborn. 2009. 113 pages. 29.5 x 21 cm. ISBN: 978-3-940456-05-2

En Route for Climate Protection

In four modules, the greenhouse effect is discussed: climatic basics – historical and forecast climate changes – causers of pollutant emissions – climate protection measures. Each module includes educational references, diagrams, slides and master copies. The tasks are suitable for the upper secondary educational level. They refer briefly to contents from various subjects. The material is based on the IPCC reports of 2000, among other sources.

Includes: 4 slides (attached) and a poster “The Greenhouse Effect” DIN A1.

Gisela Delfs-Swora. Deutsche Bahn AG (Editor) in collaboration with Lehrmittelverlag Wilhelm Hagemann GmbH. Düsseldorf. 2004.

Background Information, Organisation, Interdisciplinary Issues

Information on the Subject of “Climate Protection”: Principles, History and Projections

In this brochure, the most important information about climate change and climate protection is presented briefly and concisely. The entire publication is very well produced with lots of colour diagrams and figures and is, therefore, suitable for anyone who wants to get to grips with the subject field quickly.

Allianz Umweltstiftung. Munich. 1st Edition 2007. 52 pages. 30 x 21 cm

Climate Protection To Go

Just 30 g – but nevertheless with abundant contents: the book provides versatile tips, with which any man or woman can contribute to climate protection. These are sorted by the degree of financial investment required. They cover all relevant sections of everyday life, including energy consumption, mobility and food.

Short and “concise” texts and apt illustrations motivate the reader. Carefully selected internet addresses will help those who want to know more.

co2online gGmbH (Editor). Berlin. 2009. 26 pages. 10.5 x 14.7 cm.

Free delivery from the publisher by emailing info@co2online.de

How we can save the Climate. Take part in the Energy [R]evolution!

In the smallest of spaces, the climate protection brochure by Greenpeace also contains versatile concrete climate protection tips for everyone. Greenpeace is campaigning for a climate-compatible energy supply, with which the energy-induced CO2 emissions will be halved by 2050 in comparison to today.

Greenpeace Media GmbH. Hamburg. 2008. 32 pages. 21 x 13 cm

Pendos CO2 Counter

Anyone who would like to contribute to climate protection in their private life is faced with many everyday questions, in which he or she needs hard facts, e.g. which foods cause particularly high CO2 emissions (during their production), or which means of transportation is best for which route? The Pendos CO2 Counter is the ideal reference book for this. In four everyday sections (consumption, energy consumption, heating and mobility), the book provides brief background information and, above all, detailed tables with CO2 emission data. At the end of each chapter, there are further addresses together with a CO2 diet sheet (“I will do this today …. I will do that tomorrow … I will do that in a little while …”); the first steps listed here are so convincingly easy that there are really no excuses. The slim book will fit in any trouser or jacket pocket.

Andreas Grabolle, Tanja Loitz et. al. co2online gGmbH (Editor). Berlin. 2nd Edition 2007. 155 pages. 15.5 x 9.5 cm.

Human Development Report 2007/2008: Interactive Summary

The Human Development Report of the United Nations in 2007/2008 had the title “Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World.” The CD-ROM provides the most important results from this report in multimedia format. The information – e.g. impending loss of land through a rising sea level and the number of affected people – is accessible using interactive world maps. After you have familiarised yourself with the CD navigation, a wealth of material opens up.

For Windows and Mac; Quicktime from Version 7.0 required.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für die Vereinten Nationen e.V. (Editor). Berlin.

Making the Grade - Climate Protection: Successful Examples from Düsseldorf Schools

For years, the state capital of Düsseldorf has been supporting its schools intensively in environmental education and climate protection. The brochure presents examples from schools, which prove that this support is now bearing fruit. An efficient use of energy, mobility without cars, trees as climate protectors and financial incentives for dealing more frugally with resources: There are many successful routes to climate protection in schools.

Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf (Editor). 24 pages. 21 x 21 cm

Super Climate! Rethinking, Participating and Economising

With regards climate change, rethinking – and acting differently – is in demand. In order to support this, the book provides countless tips for the areas of everyday life that are relevant to climate, i.e. for energy saving in the household, for climate-friendly mobility and diet. The idea of a personal climate budget is presented and the necessary adjustment to the now unavoidable consequences of climate change is discussed.

Klaus Zintz. Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG. Stuttgart. 2008. 190 pages. 22 x 14 cm. ISBN: 978-3-440-11377-6

The Arctic Climate Report: The Effects of Global Warming

The Arctic is one of the regions, which is already particularly affected by climate change. In the book, the Arctic region and its inhabitants are presented and the effects of climate change on this region are described; in addition, the fact that these effects affect the entire planet is highlighted.

The book is based on a study, which was commissioned by the Arctic Council. The information is clearly classified using 10 key results. Countless colour diagrams, maps and figures make it possible for the interested layperson to follow the scientific evidence in a striking way.

Joy Susan Hassol. Convent Verlag GmbH. Hamburg. 2004. 139 pages. 29 x 25 cm. ISBN: 3-934613-86-1

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