Great Lakes Lesson Plans

Eighth graders identify the Great Lakes, and describe the habitat of life of a loon. They are able to point to and explain one of the major river systems that enters the Great Lakes with a focus on the Clinton River and the food webs that depend on these fresh water systems. Students are able to describe Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussels and the inherent problems they are causing.

Students explore conservation of the Great Lakes. In this geography and ecology lesson, students identify the Great Lakes on a map and view a video depicting the history and importance of these lakes. Students work in groups to research one of the Great Lakes and write an informational paper about its features and unique characteristics. Students generate ways in which they can contribute to the conservation of the Great Lakes.

Students describe the life of a Great Lake explorer. In this lesson on the explorers of the Great Lakes, students view a teacher-prepared PowerPoint presentation and complete a booklet describing the lives of the people who first explored the Great Lakes.

Young scholars create bar graphs using depth information for the Great Lakes. In this graphing lesson, students review the parts of a bar graph and view a PowerPoint about the depths for the Great Lakes. Young scholars construct a bar graph for the data and visit a website about the Great Lakes. Students construct a graph for the shoreline lengths.

Students describe the effects of biological magnification on ecosystems. This lesson focuses on biomagnification as it relates to the ecosystems of the Great Lakes region in the mid-western United States.

Students utilize a dichotomous key to identify 8 common Great Lakes fish families based on their characteristics. In small groups students use a diagram to determine the differences between fish and place them into their proper families.

Students solve simulated crimes using real-time online information. They research data on items such as ship tracking through GPS, lake conditions, and weather systems. They also collect information about invasive plant and animal species and how it is harmful to the native plant and animal species in the Great Lakes area.

Students review the geography of the Great Lakes and explore their importance in depth. In groups, they conduct Internet research on a topic related to the Great Lakes. Then they formulate a plan of action to address one of these issues.

Students develop ways to help protect the Great Lakes. They complete experiments measuring water quality and evaluate their findings. They participate in a service activity and reflect on their experience.

Learners examine the geography of the Great Lakes region. They identify the causes of pollution in the area. They develop a class presentation to share their findings of the ecosystem and how to volunteer.