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Environmental Social Science Teacher Resources
Find teacher approved Environmental Social Science educational resource ideas and activities
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Young scholars search for examples of social science in and around their school. They create a Social Science scrapbook of the eight social sciences, that includes news articles and summaries that focus on each social science area.
To better understand the migrant experience during the Great Depression, pupils analyze two primary resources: photographs by Dorothea Lange and a U.S. Map that shows the Dust Bowl. They compare and contrast Lange's images to Steinbeck's works. Using these, a U.S. map, and a newspaper article from 1937, they discuss their findings and write their responses. This lesson includes worksheets, a comparison rubric, and suggested extensions for the initial assignment.
Students identify a community environmental problem and possible solutions. They analyze the connection between the problem and the solutions and the importance of it to the local community. Students then draw a picture of an environmental problem in the community and a picture of a possible solutions and write a short explanation of the importance of the solutions for the community.
Learners explain the complexities of environmental decisions, rather than to recreate the actual circumstances and outcome of the original case. They simulate a real environmental case a regarding the Pine Barrens of Long Island, NY.
Students share their knowledge about fuel sources, then read a news article about vegetable oil as a cleaner alternative to gasoline. In this current events and environmental science instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and participate in a think-pair-share discussion. Lesson includes interdisciplinary follow-up activities.
Research water use in California, environmental protection laws, and the proposition to raise Shasta Dam by 200 feet. Researchers use their findings to build an argument which will be presented at a mock decision panel. Groups then represent each side of the debate, or role-play as different members of the US Bureau of Reclamation. A fun addition to an environmental science class or any debate unit!
Students investigate the throw-away and recyclable packaging. For this environmental issues lesson, students seek out the natural resources used to make packaging materials, determine if packaging is needed for products, and write persuasive letters.
The debate over genetically modified organisms is on! Young biologists imagine that they have been asked to choose which corn chips will be sold for a fundraiser, one made with GMOs or one without. This four-day lesson plan requires learners to conduct some research at home on the topic, and it culminates in an educated class vote. Impactful and timely, you will want to incorporate this lesson into your genetics lessons. It provides many valuable resource links including one to a NOVA video.
Students examine basic human rights as defined by the United Nations. They develop a list of rights by class consensus, read an article, answer discussion questions, and complete a worksheet.
Students investigate famous environmentalists. In this historical lesson, students use a time line to identify the accomplishments of various environmentalists. Students research and identify one environmental issue they would like to solve.