Human Ecology Lesson Plans

Pupils research, examine and study about the history of home economics and the women who were responsible for designing a whole field of study. They also discuss why this field has become called "human ecology" and the future of the field.

Learners are introduced to the Gaia hypothesis by examining a conceptual sketch. In groups, they analyze the way they can use Dewey's method for problem solving to solve problems within the environment. They are given a problem facing the environment and present their solutions to the class.

Young scholars explain how changes on the Earth's surface affect the organisms on it. In this earth science lesson, students connect this event to subsistence in Alaska. They listen to a local Elder's presentation and complete a worksheet right after.

Students read and discuss a research article that explains the unlikely link between increased fish populations and increased plant pollination. They answer reading guide questions to discover this ecological relationship.

Students are introduced to the tropical rainforest through different ways that catch their attention such as: Visit a local botanical garden or conservatory so that students can see the variety of tropical plants in the world. They can visit the zoo, many large zoos have tropical rainforest exhibits. Before the class goes to the zoo, the teacher finds out what materials are available from the zoo's education department.

Learners identify and describe the history of home economics and how that history shaped and defined the role of women. Then they explore the home economics manuals and home economic articles which are available online at Hearth: Home Economics Archive. Students also share with the class items that surprised them why these items surprised them and also what they say about the role of women at that time.

Students explain the connection among tectonic events and ecology. In this earth science lesson, students listen to an Elder talk and explain the effects of tectonic events to the environment. They write a reflection journal at the end of the lesson.

Students explore world geography by completing a tsunami worksheet. In this Earth science lesson, students discuss the different layers in Earth and how they create earthquakes which spawn tsunamis. Students examine a map of Alaska and answer study questions about islands nearby.

Students analyze earth science by completing an educational worksheet in class. In this island geography lesson, students identify the different types of islands on Earth, how they are formed and the amount of islands found in Alaska. Students define a list of vocabulary terms and complete a worksheet based upon island facts.

Learners study Arctic species and their endangered status. In this Arctic species lesson, students read the article "Turning Up the Arctic Heat" and visit the NASA animation website about the warming climate. Learners select an Arctic species and advocate for funding towards the animal's conservation in a presentation they create and research.