Climate Literacy

Ellen McClure, Climate Literacy TSA, EllenMcclure@berkeley.net

2020 Bonar Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
Hours: Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | 510-644-8727

On November 3, 2021 the Berkeley Unified School District Board of Education unanimously passed the Climate Literacy Resolution, which commits to graduating students who are well versed in climate change science, issues, & solutions and environmental justice as a civil rights issue. Read the full resolution here.

The Climate Literacy Working Group was created in the 2022/23 school year and consists of teachers, staff and community partners working in three grade span groups: Elementary, Middle, High School. Working group members collaborate to create relevant climate and environmental learning opportunities tied to core subject standards in their grade levels and create resources to share with other staff.  Each grade span group celebrates student learning through showcases and fairs in the spring. 

• California Department of Education’s Environmental Principles and Concepts
• Teaching Resources for Staff

Elementary

At the elementary level, students learn foundational concepts to understand climate change and human impact on the planet. Teachers and staff in the Climate Literacy Working group integrate new climate curriculum in science instruction, gardening class and in classroom learning through core subjects. Climate units are solutions oriented and students engage in action projects around the theme of stewardship. Student learning is showcased through celebratory events and activities in the spring, including parades, skits, peer learning presentations and climate resilience fairs.

Middle School

At the middle school level, students participate in climate literacy projects through core subject areas and electives including ELA, Science, Social Studies, STEM, Art and Gardening and Cooking. Students deepen their understanding of climate change science and issues and engage in project based learning around climate solutions.  Middle school projects connect to the theme of collaboration.Participating classes submit projects to the annual Climate Literacy Fair which includes activities and presentations from community partners and is organized by teachers and staff in the Climate Literacy Working Group.

High School

At the high school level, students have access to climate literacy opportunities around the theme of leadership.Students learn about climate careers through a Green Career Fair and Green Internship opportunities.  Participating teachers across small schools and subject areas create climate solutions themed projects, some of which are displayed through climate showcases, featuring peer learning. Many of the U9 hives participate in a spring climate conference, where students learn about climate change topics in several core subject areas, culminating in a day of climate solutions workshops.