Sea Level Rise Online Learning Module 

Educator’s Guide

Grades: 6-12

Subject Areas: Earth and Human Activities

This Publication is in the public domain and is not protected by copyright

Permission is not required for duplication 
Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................ 3

Education Standards...................................................... 3

Next Generation Science Standards

Pre-Video Viewing Activities.......................................... 4

Activities While Viewing the Video ................................. 4

Post-Video Viewing Activities ........................................ 5

Additional Resources ................................................... 5
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Introduction

This online learning module allows students to learn about sea level rise, its causes, and 

impacts; and challenges students to think about what they can do in response. This module

features an integrated educational package of grade-appropriate instruction and activities

centered on a 23 minute video presentation. Please note, the video has numerous 

scheduled paused within it so educators may facilitate discussion of presented topics. This 

will extend the viewing time of the video 

Grade Level: 6 - 12

Focus Question: What is causing sea level rise and what can be done about it?

5-E Learning Objectives:

The Learner will 

Engage: recall prior knowledge related to sea level and sea level rise

Explore: explore resources and materials that indicate sea level is rising

Explain: explain the causes of sea level rise

Elaborate: apply new knowledge to understand how their actions impact sea level rise and 

climate change.

Evaluate: calculate their carbon footprint and determine what, if any, changes can be made.

Education Standards

Next Generation Science Standards

MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a 

human impact on the environment.

MS-ESS3-5: Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in 

global temperatures over the past century.

HS-ESS3-5: Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an 

evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change 

and associated future impacts to Earth systems.

HS-ESS3-6: Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth 

systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
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Pre-Video Viewing Activities

Teacher background information:

I. IPCC Fact Sheet: Is Sea Level Rising -

https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanserviceprod/education/pd/climate/factsheets/issea.pdf

II. IPCC Fact Sheet: How do Human Activities Contribute to Climate Change and How do They 

Compare with Natural Influences?

https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanserviceprod/education/pd/climate/factsheets/howhuman.pdf 

Grades 6-8:

NOAA Ocean Explorer Multimedia Discovery Mission: Tides -

https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/learning/10_tides/tides.html

Grades9-12:

Lesson Plan - UpsandDowns-WhatCausesTides and Tidal Currents:

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/lessons/ups_downs.html

Activities While Viewing the Video

During the video there are several pauses for discussion, and one pause for students to 

complete a sea level rise graphing exercise. It is strongly advised that educators view the 

video in its entirety prior to showing it to students/audiences.

Printthe Sea Level Rise Graph PDF for use during min 07:14 of the video – one per 

student (https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanserviceprod/education/sea-level-rise/sea-level-rise-graph.pdf)

Outline of Video

I. Tides and Water Levels

II. Sea Level Rise

a. Sea Level

b. Sea Level Rise Evidence

c. Sea Level Rise Causes

d. Sea Level Rise Impacts
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Post-Video Viewing Activities

Teacher Background Information:

https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanserviceprod/education/pd/climate/factsheets/whatgreenhouse.pdf

Data inthe Classroom:

https://dataintheclassroom.noaa.gov/content/sea-level

Data inthe Classroom CurriculumGuide:

https://dataintheclassroom.noaa.gov/content/sea-level/teacher 

(Required for Data inthe Classroom)

CalculatingYour Carbon Footprint:

• https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanservice-prod/education/sealevel-rise/Calculating_Your_Carbon_Footprint.pdf

• https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanserviceprod/education/projects/wheelcard/wheelcard_gw.pdf

Additional Resources:

I. NOAA National Ocean Service Education - Ocean and Climate Literacy:

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/literacy.html

II. NOAA National Ocean Service Education - Climate Resources: 

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/welcome.html

III. NOAA National Ocean Service Education – Tides and Water Levels: 

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_tides/welcome.html

IV. Ten Signs of a Warming World:

http://cpo.noaa.gov/warmingworld/global_sea_level.html

V. Sea Level Rise Viewer:

https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/slr.html
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