Two Degrees

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

How might hurricanes, polar bears, and wildfires be connected? Formulate 2-3 specific theories based on your familiarity with climate change topics and your prior knowledge of ecosystems, weather events, and disasters.

Teaching Suggestion: Since the three stories intertwined in this novel involve teens surviving wildfires, polar bears, and a hurricane, studying and discussing each danger before reading can increase understanding of the novel and its messages, especially as students might refer to previously learned content on ecosystems, climate, and environmental issues. Students might start by listing what they already know about these topics, then add notes as they read these or other resource articles. Students can review these notes and make connections as they read the novel. These suggested resources from National Geographic may require a free account to view.

• “Here's How Wildfires Get Started—And How To Stop Them” includes numerous facts about wildfires and what to do if faced with the threat of one.
• “What Are Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones?” provides background information about these storms and how they connect to climate change.