What Is the Greenhouse Effect?

Videos

Grades3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Smile and Learn

Open Resource

What it is

This animated video from Smile and Learn introduces young learners to the greenhouse effect and explains how it is affecting the Earth.
The topics discussed include greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, solar radiation, fossil fuels, and many human activities that emit greenhouse gases.

Teaching tips

Positives

There is large-font text that accompanies the animations and narration to help with understanding.
The narration is clearly spoken and easy to understand.

Prerequisites

It may be helpful to pause the video between topics to check for understanding or to define any terms that students are unfamiliar with.
Teachers should note that the term "greenhouse effect gas" is not widely used, and the accepted term is greenhouse gas.
There may be an ad before the video.

Differentiation & Implementation

Teachers can slow down the speech or turn on the closed captioning and subtitles for ESL students.
This video can be used in lessons about the atmosphere, Earth's history, the solar system, weather, or temperature.
Students can work in groups to further explore each of the activities identified that emit greenhouse gases.
Other resources about the greenhouse effect include Meet the Greenhouse Gases and Water Bottle Greenhouse.

From the scientist review

The greenhouse effect is explained in this resource. There is no contradiction except with the word "greenhouse effect gas." It is either a greenhouse gas or not. Above all, this resource is recommended to enable students to understand the concept of the greenhouse effect.

How we review resources

Ready to use it?

Hosted on youtube.com

Open Resource

Want this to fit your class?

Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.

At a glance

Grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Format: YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Smile and Learn
Authors: Smile and Learn
Published: March 8, 2022
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS3-5. + 9 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
4-ESS3-1.4-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-ESS3-1.5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
MS-ESS3-D.MS-ESS3-D. Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities. (MS-ESS3-5)

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
4-ESS3-1.4-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-ESS3-1.5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
MS-ESS3-D.MS-ESS3-D. Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities. (MS-ESS3-5)

Cookie Preferences

What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

Ready to use it?

Want this to fit your class?

Related Teaching Resources