This worktext is an attempt to explain climate change in a language and style suited to readers who are at least in the last two years of elementary education, and to the general public.

While the main focus is on what really is climate change, its causes, the observable effects, aggravating circumstances, and prognosis for the future, it also includes heroic efforts by individuals and concerned groups to stem the tide, thus mitigate the potentially catastrophic effects of this phenomenon. For the presentation to be better understood, historical background and concepts related to climate change are also explained. These topics will serve as background and reinforcement that will lead to a better understanding of climate change. The same can also be used as reference and supplementary materials in any of the regular science courses in Basic Education (K to 12).

The style of presentation is reader-friendly. The text “talks” to the reader, asks some questions, provokes them to think, and guides them on the what, the how, and the why of climate change. Knowing and applying what they have learned about climate change is of paramount importance, and we would like the reader to actively participate in the fight against global warming.

The short summary and suggested activities at the end of each topic should further help reinforce the reader’s knowledge about climate change and convince them on the importance of concerted efforts of all sectors of society to do something about climate change.

Salient Characteristics of the Book

1. The book is on the fundamentals of Climate Change. A better understanding of climate change can take place if we are familiar with the more fundamental concepts that are related to it. Hence, the title, What Students Need to Know About Climate Change. These concepts are normally included in the curriculum for science in Basic Education.
2. The style of presentation in this book is reader-friendly. It is as if the book talks with the reader. And the reader in turn actively interacts with the text. Vocabulary level is low for easy understanding. Whenever appropriate, figures and statistical data are included (. This is) to make arguments more convincing. Actual graphs, authentic photos and symbolic figures are included for their dramatic effects and further interest on climate change.
3. We think that the book is most suited to students in the last two years of elementary education but may also be used as reference for the upper level of Basic Education as well as for the general public. After all climate change is and should be the concern of everyone.
4. At the end of each topic is a short summary highlighting the key points discussed. This will provide a short review for the next topic.
5. Suggested activities are also included to further reinforce knowledge of the topic.
6. The book may be used as supplementary material in the science subject of a particular grade level, or an elective course to enrich the science offerings especially of a science-oriented curriculum in the elementary or high school level.

St. Mary's Assessment Portfolio is developed within the content and learning competencies of Mathematics, Reading and Language, Science and Health, Mga Araling Panlipunan, Pagbasa at Wika. The learning material consist of a comprehensive practice test of formative and summative assessment for each learning area. The practice test of formative and summative assessment introduce the students to the format, and content of national assessment administered by the Department of Education.

This is the second skillbook and reviewer of St. Mary's Publishing corp. has developed, printed and distributed. In fact St. Mary's Publishing Corp. was the first publishing house to develop reviewers to help students master the skills and concepts of the different learning areas. This second reviewer aims to attain the same objectives including the following:

• attain mastery of the essential skills in all the learning areas of the grade.
• provide test - taking strategies that build confidence and lower text anxiety.
• identify the critical skills mastered in every learning area
• provide remediation on the skills that have not been mastered
• developed study skills for mastering the essential skills and the content for the grade

Using St. Mary's Assessment Portfolio helps the learners master skills, understand content, and apply test-taking strategies

Writing is an art, so we cannot separate these two activities. If you want to write correctly and nicely, do it artistically. This is the reason why we combined penmanship and art in this worktext.

Each lesson is presented step-by-step to enable the learner to follow as instructed with minimum supervision. Tracing is followed by writing to make each one an efficient if not a perfect writer.

Practice exercises are provided in every lesson as well as homeworks for further evaluation.

Art lessons provide for pupil’s creativity, developing his/her talent in said field. Varied art exercises as well as homeworks give further opportunity to discover the pupil’s ability to draw, color and express his/her artistic talents.