Climate change literacy learning links – teacher resource
This teacher resource lists selected articles from the Connected and School Journal reading series that support science concepts when teaching about climate change.
Connected and School Journal resources are produced for New Zealand primary and intermediate schools by the Ministry of Education. They are available to New Zealand schools in print and digital form (use the search function in the Literacy (inc. Instructional Series) section of the Tāhūrangi website.
Connected and School Journal titles and synopses for the topic climate changeScience Learning Hub resources supported by the titles
How big is your footprint? by Norman Bilbrough
School Journal Part 3 Number 1 2011
An article about climate change in the 21st century (includes teacher support material).
Fuels and greenhouse gases video
Trees, seas and soil, by Renata Hopkins
Connected Level 2020
Use this article to discover what a carbon sink is and why they are so important.
The ocean and the carbon cycle
Activity ideas
Ocean acidification and eggshells
The Great Barrier Reef: See It While You Can! by Sarah Wilcox
School Journal Level 4 2013
This article explores rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and the effect on the world's oceans and coral reefs.
The ocean, CO2 and climate change – timeline
The Big Chill and the Big Drill by Rupert Alchin
Connected Level 1 and 2 2008
ANDRILL scientists drill into the Antarctic seabed to learn about Antarctica’s climate and how it has changed from ancient times.
Captured in ice by Veronika Meduna
Connected Level 3 2017
Nancy Bertler collects ice cores to learn how the Earth’s climate has changed over time.
The ANDRILL operation video
Antarctica and global climate change
Activity idea
59.5 Degrees South by Sarah Wilcox
School Journal Level 3 August 2013
This article provides information on Argo floats –devices that measure ocean currents, temperature and salinity (includes teacher support material).
Activity ideas
Global action by Phillip Simpson
Connected Level 4 2017
This article examines what global warming is and how computer modelling works and identifies how science may help New Zealand reduce its agricultural emissions
Measuring greenhouse gas emissions
Rising seas by Kate Potter
Connected Level 3 2014
This article looks at the role of evidence in determining that sea levels are rising. It also notes some of the implications of sea level rise
Climate change, melting ice and sea level rise
Activity ideas
Building for the future by Adrienne Jansen
Connected Level 3 2017
This article tells how experts work together to future proof a coastal village from the threat of tsunamis and rising seas.
Climate change, melting ice and sea level rise
Activity idea
Science and partnership with a Sāmoan village
Related content
Climate change resources – planning pathways breaks climate change down into smaller, bite-size topics and key science concepts.
Climate science has its own language. Check out a few key terms – with references to New Zealand’s greenhouse gas profile.
Collection of related content
The Science Learning Hub team has curated a collection of resources related to climate change. Login to make this collection part of your private collection, just click on the copy icon. You can then add additional content, notes and make other changes. Registering an account for the Science Learning Hubs is easy and free – sign up with your email address or Google account. Look for the Sign in button at the top of each page.
Useful links
The Ministry of Education's Climate Change Learning Programme is a level 4 programme focused on climate change that includes specific student activities; the wellbeing guide focuses on student wellbeing and hauora when navigating climate change as an area of learning and action. Many of the suggestions are relevant to other learning levels.
Connected uses contextual issues to promote scientific, technological and mathematical literacy, search. Got to the the Literacy (inc. Instructional Series) section of the Tāhūrangi website and search by title or "Connected".
School Journal supports students in years 4–8 to meet the reading demands of all New Zealand curriculum areas.
The Connected and School Journal teacher support materials are accessed through the Journal Surf website. A subscription login is required.
The Connected journals can be ordered from the Down the Back of the Chair website. Access to these resources is restricted to Ministry-approved education providers. To find out if you are eligible for a login or if you have forgotten your login details, contact their customer services team on 0800 660 662 or email orders@thechair.education.govt.nz.
Returning to a green Antarctica is a comic by Simone Giovanardi and Bella Duncan. It explains why Antarctica once looked more like South Island’s West Coast beech forests than the frozen continent we know today.
