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. Under each heading is a list of supporting articles and other resources from Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao.
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 section of the Tāhūrangi website). This includes the Instructional Series.
2014 Connected level 3: Why is that?
The cover of the 2014 level 3 Connected journal ‘Why is that?’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand. This issue includes the articles Rising seas, Counting kākahi and The tsunami that washed time away.
Background photograph 'Restore the Shore' by Hypnotica Studios Infinite, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
The article Literacy through science has suggestions on how to integrate science with literacy to enhance learning in both areas.
The Future of Growing Kai
The Future of Growing Kai by Arihia Latham, School Journal Level 2 November 2023.
As our climate changes, we need to take action about how we grow food. This article explores new, traditional, and innovative ways of growing food.
Supporting resources
Climate Change: Our Biggest Challenge
Climate Change: Our Biggest Challenge by Tricia Glensor, School Journal Level 4, June 2018.
An overview of the causes and impacts of climate change, with graphs and images.
Supporting resources
Climate change – challenging conversations – activity
Wildfire
Wildfire by Naomi Arnold, Connected Level 4, 2020.
An article about wildfires, their causes, effects and how they are influenced by climate.
Supporting resources
Wildfire – Connected journal article
2020 Connected Level 4: Feeling the Heat
The cover of the 2020 level 4 Connected journal ‘Feeling the Heat’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand. This issue includes the articles Pā Tūwatawata and the New Zealand Wars, Fostering felines, Foulden Maar: fossils or food? and Wildfires.
Listening to the Land
Listening to the Land by Laura Goodall, Connected Level 3, 2018.
Kairangahau Māori collect and record mātauranga to understand how climate change is affecting wildlife and ecosystems, and how it can be used to plan for change.
Supporting resources
Listening to the Land – Connected journal article
Using infographics – activity
Climate change – challenging conversations – activity
Feedback
Feedback by Matt Boucher, School Journal Level 4, May 2020.
Read about feedback loops – positive feedback loops, which can cause climate change to accelerate, or negative loops, which can lessen the factors that cause change.
Supporting resources
Wildfire – Connected journal article
Reducing our Footprint
Reducing our Footprint by Sarah Connor, School Journal Level 4, May 2021.
The article features people taking positive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Supporting resources
Driving us into the future – Connected journal article
Carbon dioxide emissions calculator – activity
How big is your footprint?
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).
Supporting resources
Fuels and greenhouse gases – video
Carbon dioxide emissions calculator – activity
Trees, seas and soil
Trees, seas and soil, by Renata Hopkins, Connected Level 3, 2020.
Use this article to discover what a carbon sink is and why they are so important.
Supporting resources
Trees, seas and soil – Connected journal article
Ocean acidification and eggshells – activity
What makes up soil? – activity
Carbon cycle quiz – activity
Connected article: Trees, seas and soil
An article in the 2020 level 3 Connected journal ‘Kaitiakitanga’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef 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.
Supporting resources
The Big Chill and the Big Drill and Captured in Ice
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.
Both articles focus on ice cores and what they can tell us about the past.
Supporting resources
Captured in ice – Connected journal article
The ANDRILL operation – video
Making a core sample – activity
Connected article: Captured in ice
An article in the 2017 level 3 Connected journal ‘Mahi tahi’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
Photographs by Nancy Bertler and ice shelf graphics by George Frost.
59.5 Degrees South
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).
Supporting resources
Buoyancy in water – activity
Saline currents – activity
Global action
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.
Supporting resources
Global action – Connected journal article
Carbon dioxide emissions calculator – activity
Connected article: Global action
An article in the 2017 level 4 Connected journal ‘Where to next?’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
Image of delegates upon the adoption of the Paris Agreement, UN Climate Change, CC BY 2.0.
Rising seas
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.
Supporting resources
Rising seas – Connected journal article
Investigating sea level rise – activity
Melting glacial ice – activity
Building for the future
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.
Supporting resources
Building for the future – Connected journal article
Connected article: Building for the future
An article in the 2017 level 3 Connected journal ‘Mahi tahi’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
Pasifika patterns by Aaron McKirdy and photograph by Michael Field.
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.
Check out our entire range of Connected articles here. We’ve curated them by topic and concepts.
Connected articles are ideal for cross-curricular literacy learning. With thoughtful planning, educators can integrate science with literacy to enhance learning in both areas – the article Literacy through science provides helpful information on how to achieve this.
Our Literacy through science topic curates lots of activities, articles and other resources to boost science and literacy. You can filter for early years, primary and secondary resources.
Literacy and science PLD
There are multiple connections between science learning and literacy learning. The following webinars identify strategies to deliberately incorporate literacy learning in both areas.
Collection of related content
The Science Learning Hub team has curated a collection of resources related to climate change.
Sign in 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, and also share and collaborate with others. 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 Climate Change Learning Programme supports climate literacy for young people aged 10–14. Aotearoa contexts and mātauranga Māori are embedded throughout the learning modules and the wellbeing guide. The programme was updated in 2024 to reflect current climate science and knowledge. The wellbeing guide reflects multiple perspectives and fosters resilience.
Connected uses contextual issues to promote scientific, technological and mathematical literacy. Go to 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.
