Land Management Lesson Plans

In this lesson students understand the importance of water in any ecosystem. In this water lesson, students recognize where water is found, the type of water found, and how water is changed in the water cycle.  In this lesson students complete worksheets using water cycle vocabulary to show distribution of water.  In this lesson students experiment to show how much water must be used.

In this lesson students explore the monitoring efforts in Monterey Bay and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries. They develop an ecosystem monitoring plan that explains the rationale for ecosystem monitoring, the methods for monitoring based on research, the people involved in the project, the steps of the monitoring plan, and the benefit of the monitoring project to the area.

This lesson has students analyze statistics on the destruction of the rainforest. In this rainforest destruction lesson, students make an original line graph showing destruction in the rainforest. Additional activities include a collage, a sequencing of the book The Lorax, collecting facts from fact cards, and describing the role of those concerned.

This lesson has students identify habitat elements. They create a habitat in a backyard, on a balcony, at a workplace, or in a schoolyard and provide the four basic requirements of wildlife survival (food, water, cover, and places to raise young). They earn a a certificate from the National Wildlife Federation.

Students create a report card for George Bush based on research of key issues. They review political symbols and send a letter to the President explaining why they have given him the grades.

4th graders examine specific bird characteristics and become more aware of the ecosystems that support each bird. They engage in bird walks, mapping the areas where they find evidence of bird activity.

Students participate in a varity of activities surrounding "gold." They explore the science, myths, and legends about gold and conduct a debate over the environmental problems created by gold mining in a small small mining town.

Students create an imaginative "new" invasive weed alien, based upon a set of adaptations and characteristics. They classify the alien according to plant parts, habitat, and defense mechanism and present the information to the class.

Students plan for a water shortage in their area.  In this water lesson, students analyze water usage and plan and share a reduction plan.  Groups share their results and calculate the averages.  Students analyze how water is wasted.  Students extend their research to the community.

Students investigate the analysis and decision making that goes into managing forest lands and participate in a simulation of a twenty-five year forest management cycle.