Krebs' Class Blogs

Constructing, creating, communicating, collaborating, and thinking critically in grade 5.

Global Climate Change

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Working on science research

Right now Mrs. Krebs is taking an online course about Global Climate Change through PBS. Seventh graders are helping her with a short mini unit. First, we did a bit of online research about the chemistry involved in greenhouse gases.

Carbon, for instance, never goes away. It combines with different elements and keeps going through a continuous cycle. When it is taken out of the earth as fossil fuel and then burned, much of the carbon joins with oxygen to become carbon dioxide. It is absorbed into the atmosphere. Even though it is a small fraction of a percent of the gas in our atmosphere, CO2 is a powerful greenhouse gas because it absorbs heat very well. It is also on the rise, up 30% since the Industrial Revolution began.

Here are some great resources students have been studying:

Students playing The Carbon Cycle Game

As we learned about global climate change, we also made a wish list. We brainstormed some of the things we wish we could change:

  • We wish that the polar bears and other creatures wouldn’t have to lose their homes from melting ice.
  • We also wish that people would stop killing themselves and the environment and that instead we use clean energies and not have oil rigs, especially in the water. It will kill more and more animals and marine life.
  • We wish we could make the earth warmer and try to save some animals whose habitats are being destroyed.
  • We wish we could get more windmills and use solar panels to run things.
  • We wish we would be more careful on how much trash we throw away.
  • We wish we would recycle more and save trees.
  • We wish that all cars would run on solar power.
  • We wish we wouldn’t use so much gas.
  • We wish that all of the ice would stop melting  because the animals are dying from no homes or food to eat.
  • We wish people would use more renewable energy.
  • We wish people would use solar panels and wind mills.
  • We wish everyone would take better care of the earth.
  • We wish that they would make a lot more windmills in this world to help our planet.
  • We also wish that we wouldn’t waste as many products as we usually do.
  • We wish that people would stop littering to save our earth.
  • We wish people would stop using gas-powered cars because they put too much carbon into the air. They should use electric cars, solar powered, and water powered cars.
  • We wish we could have more solar powered cars so we don’t waste energy and pollute the air.
  • We wish we could keep garbage out of the ocean, so the animals have a nice home in the water so they can swim all around.
  • We wish that people would stop littering and start recycling, so all of the garbage we throw out won’t pile up and make it a waste pile.
  • We wish the ice would stop melting so the animals could get their home back.
  • We wish people would stop polluting the air with their cars.
  • We wish people would stop littering and use recycling bins.
  • We wish people wouldn’t cut down trees and taking away animals homes.
  • We both wish our grand kids could have snow not frosty the dirt man.
  • We wish that there would be some snow during the winter and super hot in the summer for good harvest and some rain.
  • We wish that the world wouldn’t end because of the trash and that the world will be a better place for other people.
  • We wish that people recycle and there would be electric cars and that we would protect the ozone layer.
  • We wish that people would recycle and use electricity wisely.
  • We wish the ice would stop melting, so the animals that live in the artic have somewhere to live.
  • We wish people wouldn’t use as many plastic bags and water bottles, and that they would reuse the ones they do.
  • We wish that people would do more for the environment which means recycle, pick up trash, stop pollution, use less electricity. If we can do just this little it will help change the world and make it a better place to live and grow.

I Wish...
By mrsdkrebs | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

Later in the spring we will be working on a larger unit on Ecology and Global Climate Change. We will revisit those wishes, using our genius to make the world a safe and healthy environment for future generations.

Some of the recycling projects already going on at our school.


Author: Denise Krebs

I'm the chief learner in life's adventure.

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