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Activity - Classroom

Grades3, 4, 5Science, Mathematics

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by ClimateScience

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What it is

In this math activity, students will solve equations that correspond with a greenhouse gas source and then rank the sources from least emissions to most emissions.
Students will use multiplication, division, subtraction, and addition skills to determine the ranking for each greenhouse gas source.

Teaching tips

Positives

Young students will get a sense of which greenhouse gas sources contribute most to climate change.
The teacher's guide and student handout can be downloaded and used offline or printed.
The lesson plan includes an answer key.

Additional Prerequisites

This activity assumes that the students know how to do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers.
The teacher's guide features British terms, like lorry (truck) and rubbish (trash or garbage) that some students may not be familiar with.
The term "greenhouse gas" is not used in the student handout. This activity uses the term "nasty gases."

Differentiation

Students can solve the equations in groups. Once the equations are solved, they can order the activities together.
Teachers could use this worksheet for early finishers or as independent morning work.
Other resources on this topic include this activity that introduces students to the greenhouse gases, this video on the greenhouse effect, and this video on the causes and effects of climate change.

From the scientist review

This resource introduces students to the idea that different human activities create different amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and that we need to reduce some of these activities to help the planet. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 3, 4, 5
Subjects: Science, Mathematics
Other types: Worksheets
Format: PDF
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: ClimateScience
Authors: ClimateScience
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.6 + 4 more

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.6Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.5Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.B.4Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.

Connecticut Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

4-ESS3-1.Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and that their uses affect the environment.
5-ESS3-1.Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.

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