Curated OER
Forest Ecosystems
Forests are briefly defined and broken down into four different types in this PowerPoint. Facts and photos are provided for each type, including: deciduous, tropical rain, coastal, and coniferous forests. This is a wonderful presentation...
Curated OER
Exploring Forest Objects
Learners explore the forest. In this ecosystems lesson, students rotate through sensory activity centers, brainstorm, and read about temperate forests.
Curated OER
Forest as a Filter
Students experiment using soil and water. In this forest as a filter lesson, students identify the role of forest cover, vegetation, and foliage impacts erosion and evaporation. Students conduct a simple experiment, form a hypothesis,...
Curated OER
Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Terrestrial Forests vs. Kelp Forests
Students discuss concept and specificity of habitats, both marine and terrestrial, list similarities and differences in the habitats of a kelp forest and a terrestrial forest, compare types of organisms that occupy corresponding types of...
Curated OER
Mangrove Loss Faster than Land-Based Forests
Students explore the reasons Mangrove forests are in jeopardy. In this lesson, students read an article that discusses specific facts on Mangrove forests, then complete numerous activities that reinforce the information, such as taking...
Curated OER
Forests of the Sea
Students read about and conduct experiments to learn about the vegetation under Monterey Bay. In this Monterey Bay instructional activity, students read about and look at brightly colored pictures of the different types of seaweed that...
National Wildlife Federation
Habitat Web
Young scientists weave together an understanding of ecosystems with this fun collaborative activity. Taking on the roles of different living and non-living elements of specific habitats, learners use a ball of yarn to create the web of...
Global Oneness Project
Protecting Wilderness
Would you live in a tree for three years to protect a redwood forest? Viewers of Rainhouse Cinema's Among Giants documentary consider the actions of Earth First! environmental activists who moved into the treetops of a grove of giant...
College Board
2003 AP® Environmental Science Free-Response Questions
One size fits all doesn't seem to be the right approach to endangered species. Using a four-part AP® assessment, learners respond to questions that address environmental concerns such as human population changes, invasive species...
Curated OER
"Dead-Zones" and Coastal Eutrophication: Case-Study of Chesapeake Bay
Take an in-depth look at nutrient loading, eutrophication, and hypoxia using data on The Chesapeake Bay as an example. This comprehensive presentation includes detailed graphs, photos, and details about the changes in marine organism...
Curated OER
Stopping Deforestation in the Amazon: A Publicity Campaign
Students investigate the environment by designing a group project. In this ecology lesson, students identify the man made threats to the Amazon while reading environmentally conscience vocabulary terms. Students collaborate in groups...
Curated OER
Eco-Logical: A Coastal Logic Problem
Fourth graders study the characteristics of five coastal communities. They use logic cards and matching activities to identify the proper community for plant and animal species.
Curated OER
Tree Top Canopy Field Trip
Learners visit the Greenheart Canopy Walkway. For this environmental lesson, students experience a coastal rain forest ecosystem. Learners interact and explore the different layers of the rain forest.
Curated OER
Cathedral in the Sea
Students construct a model giant kelp and kelp forest inhabitants based on field-guide photographs. Students also place animal cutouts in appropriate positions on or near the plant.
Curated OER
A Look at Tidal Wetlands
Here is a comprehensive and lengthy presentation on tidal wetlands. Many photos of grasses and the animals that live among them are included, making this a virtual field trip. The progression of the presentation is as if you would walk...
Curated OER
North American Biomes
In this Science worksheet, students color a biome map of North America. Students color the map by solving the clues listed on a separate sheet of paper.
Curated OER
Dissecting Owl Pellets
Students dissect owl pellets. In this dissecting owl pellets lesson, students discuss birds of prey and make predictions about what they may find during the investigation. Students tease out skull and bones and try to make a complete...
Curated OER
Coastal Quandary
Students explore the debate among development and environment experts on evacuation coastal areas and take part in their own debate on "evacuation versus redevelopment".
Curated OER
Do You Have Change?
Learners analyze data and complete a worksheet about land use change in a coastal region. In this land use lesson, students discuss events that cause land use changes in coastal areas. They construct a change table to summarize data on...
Curated OER
Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change
Students examine the potential impact of climate change to agriculture, coastal areas, forests, water, and human health. They hypothesize what might happen to a sugar maple forest and hold a debate about global warming.
Rainforest Alliance
How Do Jaguars and Howler Monkeys in Belize Depend on Us?
How does weather play a role in the lives of land and sea creatures? Find out with a lesson focused on habitats and the ways animals from different homes are connected. Here, learners explore how the life of a jaguar and howler monkey...
It's About Time
Succession in Communities
What occurs following a natural disaster? High schoolers research this question and others as they investigate natural succession after a disaster. First, as they differentiate between primary and secondary succession, they explain how...
Curated OER
Caution: Fix It!
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson plan, students investigate events that have harmed coastal resources and how human activity has restored coastal resources.
Curated OER
Central Park Field Trip
Young scholars visit the park to observe signs of spring in the forest and pond environments. In this field trip lesson, students explore the park for various items