"The 'Change' in Climate Change"
Provided by: Poetry Foundation|Published on: June 9, 2026|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: English Language Arts
Authors: Jacob Shores-Argüello
Location: North America > United States > Oklahoma, South America
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This poem describes a time when the narrator received a call from their family in Costa Rica, who were experiencing new extreme weather conditions.
- The poem exemplifies the uncertainty around changes brought on by the changing climate.
Teaching Materials
Classroom Implementation:
- Have students listen to the poem using the audio feature, then annotate the poetic devices used in the poem.
SEL Connections:
- Acknowledge students’ potential feelings about climate change that may be echoed in this poem. Use this resource to identify emotions that may be occurring for students.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- Science:
- Have students research the climate change impacts that are occurring in Costa Rica, Oklahoma, and their own location. Use this resource to explore impacts in regions across the United States.
This poem explores how things will change as the climate changes. It emphasizes the personal experiences of an individual rather than the scientific details of climate change and the sense of uncertainty about the future. While scientists understand how the weather and climate are likely to shift in different regions, they cannot pinpoint exactly what this will look like for specific locations and the people who live there. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
