American Forest Foundation
Who Speaks for the Trees?
Help young conservationists appreciate the important role that trees play in ecosystems around the world with this collection of six engaging activities. From a shared reading and class discussion of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, to in an depth...
Curated OER
How Does a Tree Grow?
Eighth graders learn about the life of a tree. In this tree growth lesson, 8th graders discuss and dramatize the life of a tree from seed to trunk. There are no
Curated OER
Forest Management Techniques and Practices
Students study the different forestry techniques and the different harvesting choices. In this forest management lesson students use a map to see the various types of forests and what harvesting practices should be used in the different...
Curated OER
Toothpicks and Timber
Young scholars problem-solve how to log five acres. Working in pairs, they construct models of logging sites before and after the trees are harvested. they paint their models and include other environmental details.
Curated OER
Harvesting a Forest: How Would I Do It?
Third graders design a machine for clear-cutting an area of forest. In this agricultural technology instructional activity, 3rd graders are read selections from American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osbourn, discuss how trees are harvested...
Curated OER
The Tree Of Life
Fourth graders investigate the concept of forestry and how trees are used for different purposes. The problem of deforestation is presented in this historical instructional activity. The comparison of our society to others that depend on...
Curated OER
Ecosystem Relationships
Students study the relationship between the types of trees, soil, and organisms. They investigate the complex interactions and cycles at work in the forest and understand the factors that contribute to a healthy, sustainable forest.
Curated OER
Forest Appreciation
Learners gain appreciation for the value of the forest. In this forest activity, learners discuss the benefits of forests and their products. They play a kinesthetic game about the consumers of the forest.
Curated OER
Discovering Forest Products
Learners identify attributes of natural and manufactured wood products. In this forest products instructional activity, students perform independent research to find an article about forest use or forest products. They spread out samples...
Curated OER
People & Trees
Students see that people have developed new technologies and new products that increase efficiencies and maximize the productive use of each tree harvested. This lesson provides many good ideas across the curriculum to study forestry.
Curated OER
The Boreal Forest "In the News"
Students examine and discuss the current issues surrounding the deforestation of Canada's boreal forest. They also explore the issue through the eyes of the forestry industry.
Curated OER
Lesson 2: Timber Harvesting Methods and Logging Methods
Whereas very few learners study this topic, this lesson plan is written well! An organized and detailed teaching outline explains thinning, clearcutting, seed tree, and shelterwood methods of harvesting timber. Beautiful diagrams can be...
Forest Foundation
Forest Health
Young foresters examine the strategies, like prescribed burns and thinning, that are employed to ensure healthy forests.
Forest Foundation
Nature's Treasure Chest
Renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. As part of their study of the forest ecosystem, class members read "Nature's Treasure Chest" about the many products made from trees and then craft their own recycled paper.
Curated OER
Ecosystem Lesson Plan: Food Chain/Food Web
Students discuss ecosystems, eliciting their current knowledge of an ecosystem. Students receive an Ecosystems document and look at the picture. Students brainstorm connection between the cover picture and ecosystems. The indicated...
Forest Foundation
Forest Watersheds
Where does the water we use come from? To understand the concept of a watershed, class members study the water cycle and then engage in an activity that simulates a watershed.
Curated OER
Renewable Resources: Ancient Civilizations
Students examine how ancient people used natural resources. In this renewable resource lesson, students will be put into 5 groups each focusing on a different past civilization. Each group will identify they types of resources their...
Curated OER
Forest Forensics
Pupils explore forests. In this "forest forensic" lesson students divide into groups and go through the stations using their clues to solve the questions.
Forest Foundation
Fire in Our Communities - What Can We Do?
Learn about defensible space and renewable resources with a lesson about forest fires. After exploring the ways that humans have impacted the environment, kids conduct mock interviews about differing points of view in the conservation...
Curated OER
Agriculture and the Environment
Students investigate the interdependence of agriculture and the environment. They research areas of interdependence and provide examples of situations where farmers are practicing conservation in the local area. Their findings are...
Global Oneness Project
Ancient and Modern Worlds
The old aphorism, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions," might well serve as the title for a resource that asks viewers to consider the plight of the people of the Gamo Highlands, an area in southwestern Ethiopia. These...
Curated OER
Tree Identification
High schoolers list four ways to identify trees. In this tree identification instructional activity, students use tree identification techniques such as leafs, bark, wood grain, soil type, and climate to create tables and graphs.
Curated OER
A Closer Look at Wood
Students examine forests as a renewable resource and conservation practices. In this conifers lesson students complete a lab activity on the different types of wood.
Curated OER
Tree Seedling Planting- My Relationship and Responsibility to our Forests
In this trees lesson, 4th graders read the book, A Tree is Growing and complete a KWL chart on how trees grow and how they are used. Students research the symbiotic relationship of humans and trees, create tree collages, plant a seed,...