This lesson will prepare students to have an authentic and effective climate conversation by exploring the psychology behind having climate conversations, role-playing, and using inquiry-based models of communication to have a conversation with an adult in their lives. The foundation of this lesson is based on shifting the tendency to lead with ‘telling’ about the issue to listening and engaging thoughtfully with responses, so that the focus is on mutual understanding, not explicit persuasion. The activities in this lesson are scaffolded and are based on research in motivational interviewing, psychosocial research, and neuroscience.

TOTAL TIME

45 minutes (One class period)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Students will discover the psychology and challenges behind having conversations around climate and other difficult subjects. 2. Students will role-play climate conversations with and without using the OARTAC model for effective climate conversations. 3. Students will plan for and initiate a climate conversation with an adult in their lives.

STANDARDS

Next Generation Science Standards: HS-ESS3-1 DCI-ESS2.D DCI-ESS3.D Common Core: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1 ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1