Students observe the changes a class tree goes through as the seasons change and record observations in journals. They investigate changes in the weather, changes in the length of the day, and how that affects people. They create...

Students identify and experiment with dendrochronology (the study of tree rings to answer ecological questions about the recent past) and come up with conclusions as to what possible climatic conditions might affect tree growth in their...

Fourth graders investigate the ecosystem and how forests are disappearing.  In this environmental protection lesson, 4th graders analyze the changes in their school for 2 weeks.  Students practice identifying trees, birds, and...

It's no fun catching a fungus. Scholars first investigate how the seasons affect the angle of the sun and the lengths of shadows. They then apply right triangle trigonometry to determine the height of trees based on their shadows to...

Male deer growing antlers to begin the breeding season is an example of a phenological event. First in a four-part series is an activity requiring individuals to collect phenological data on their campus. Classes discuss phenology, the...

Kids observe, classify, and measure tree leaves with a scientific eye. They examine leaves, group them according their attributes, and use standard units of measurement as they compare their sizes. They access a web site to learn how...

Students focus on the production of maple syrup in Northern New England as they study the effects of climate change. They investigate other environmental factors on the forests of Northern New England.

Second graders determine the ways in which deciduous trees lose their leaves by investigating fallen leaves and how the weather changes throughout the seasons. They obtain knowledge about why and what causes the weather to change...

Students explore botany by researching plants in class. In this tree identification lesson, students examine a group of leaves and list the different characteristics before guessing what types of trees they came from. Students read about...

Fourth graders explore the interdependence of frogs and trees. They discuss the various things they need everyday to survive. Students select an animal from their local bioregion and research things that animal is dependent upon for...

What is special about summer (fall, winter, or spring)? Using a bag filled with season-related items (for summer items like sunglasses, a swimming suit, etc.) the class take turns taking out one item. A discussion of how each item might...

Young scholars consider the interdependency of life in a temperate forest by studying selected organisms from an Asian temperate forest and creating a food web.

Learners participate in hands-on activities to explore their natural surroundings. They recognize that ponds and woods are ecosystems and compare differences between the two. They identify trees by their bark and leaves.

Young scholars observe their local forest and document the change that occurs over the school year.  For this forestry instructional activity, students utilize a GPS to mark a certain area of the woods as their study area for the...

Fifth graders identify the changing seasons with how they affect animal and human behavior. They explain what migration is and why many birds migrate south for the winter. They then trace the coffee sold in their neighborhood and in...

Young scholars write an essay. In this comparison lesson, students read about a child's typical day on a fair trade cocoa farm in the Dominican Republic. Young scholars write about a typical morning of a child in the US and make...

Students study the importance of the world's rain forests. In this rain forest activity, students read about the role of the rain forests in the world's environment. Students then write a formal letter to a member of Congress or Senate...

Young scholars identify the different forests of the world and some of the characteristics that differentiate them. They explore old magazines, calendars and photos and fill out a scavenger hunt worksheet.

Students examine the ways in which the environment influences the house design. They describe how the physical environment, weather and local materials influence the type of house a family builds. They draw a house according to a given...

Fourth graders study physical and chemical weathering. They explain how the processes of weathering and erosion change and move materials that become soil. They create a K-W-L chart to show what they know and list what else they would...

Students research the innovative technology used in building the Allegheny Portage Railroad, and how it was applied to other projects. They discuss technological change and the effect it has on their lives.

Students write to describe a summer activity. They read a book about the seasons. They describe grab bag props and how they are used in summer.

Students explore nature in a living, experiencing way. In this woods and ponds lesson plan, students recognize that ponds/woods environments are ecosystems, identify three of the trees in the area by their leaves and bark...