Lesson Plans and Worksheets
I have enjoyed trying new lessons found through Lesson Planet because they are standards-based...academically sound....very motivating and tailored for the 21st century learner!
- Port Angeles, WA
- 07-24-12
Great Lakes Teacher Resources
Find teacher approved Great Lakes educational resource ideas and activities
An internet investigation leads learners to discover whether or not weather and light house location are related to the locations of shipwrecks on The Great Lakes. They work in cooperative groups to plot the locations of light houses and shipwrecks to investigate the correlation. They graph the dates of the shipwrecks to identify patterns in the time of the year and therefore, weather conditions. The lesson is a good way to practice scientific investigation and research.
Young biologists find these Great Lakes birds names in this word search. Each of the 18 birds has an accurate and colorful representation on the worksheet. There is an answer key at the bottom of the worksheet as well. The birds all live in the Great Lakes region of the US.
Students work in teams to research specific landforms in Great Lakes Watershed, compile information into data table, and write legend explaining landform for children's book. Students then research area surrounding landform, compile data into food web, and develop specialized map for Great Lakes Atlas.
Eighth graders are introduced to the Earth's hydrologic system including the cycling of water in the atmosphere and the movement of water on the surface of the planet using the Great Lakes watershed as an example.
In this geography worksheet, students read a 3 page information text about the history, climate, resources and economy of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. Students then answer 10 multiple choice questions.
Introduce junior oceanographers to ice conditions in The Great Lakes. The ice map links are no longer available, so you will not be able to have your class perform the mentioned data activity. You can, however, access the Canadian Ice Service Egg Code page and their ice charts should you want to display how this system explains the ice conditions.
Students examine the Great Lakes Basin and water conservation. In this Great Lakes and water lesson, students study the location of the lakes before reading the book, The River Ran Wild. They discuss the associated vocabulary and in small groups talk about how stewardship can help save the Great Lakes. Students make water conservation posters to be displayed in the school.
Students identify and explain factors that contribute to extreme storms in the Great Lakes. In this investigative instructional activity students study the weather systems in the Great Lakes and compare cyclones to tropical storms.
Fourth graders identify Great Lake states, Plain states, and products of the Middle West by using maps. In this maps lesson plan, 4th graders color code the states, plug in the symbols, and identify each state by putting in the abbreviation.
An online animation demonstrates how the lock system between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan works. Pupils then construct their own models of the lock system out of shoe boxes that they bring from home. This is an educational activity that can be used in conjunction with a history lesson plan or a technology engineering lesson plan.