Channel Islands Film
Human Impact on the Food Web of Santa Cruz Island
What happens when a non-native species is introduced onto an island? Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Island chain located off the coast of southern California, provides the perfect laboratory for young environmental scientists to...
Curated OER
Rachel's Life is in a Hole
Explore how lack of access to water impacts peoples' lives in poor countries. Through text reading and discussion, middle schoolers are presented with the story of a young girl who lives and functions with limited water resources. They...
Curated OER
Earth Day Unit Plan: Pollution in the Anacostia River - Biology Teaching Thesis
Sixth graders are able to explain that there are pollutants in the Anacostia River, what these pollutants can cause, and how to prevent further pollution. They examine the impacts that the pollutants of the Anacostia River could have on...
Curated OER
Arkansas: A Changing Climate, a Changing Land
Here is a lesson on the climate zones and geography of Arkansas. In it, learners look at maps (embedded) of different climate zones found throughout Arkansas. They engage in discussions regarding how global warming and climate change is...
Energy for Keeps
Going for a Spin: Making a Model Steam Turbine
Discover the effectiveness of wind, water, and steam as energy sources. The hands-on activity has young scientists create a turbine from common materials. After constructing the turbines, they use wind, water, and steam to turn them and...
Curated OER
LESSON #2 SAFETY UNIT: Real-life reading selection
When studying pollution and the environment, you can use this activity as an enrichment. Safety-conscious learners read a 2005 article about an ammonia leak from a Kentucky fast-food product plant. They work in small groups to discuss...
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Environment Global Warming
Students study the causes and effects of global warming and the actions that can be take to improve the problem. They write action plans for making their school more environmentally friendly.
Curated OER
No magic borders
Students discuss what they have heard about pollution. They explore the purposes and limitations of political boundaries and borders and identify some of the causes and effects of pollution.
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Mystery Photo
Middle schoolers research the effects of soil erosion and pollution in the soil.
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Acid in the Water
Ninth graders learn about the effect pollution has on water and how this affects their community. In this environmental awareness lesson, 9th graders expand their vocabulary and create a flowchart that demonstrates the process of acid...
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The Desert is Theirs: Adapting to Our Environment
Students determine how animals and people adapt to the desert environment. In this desert lesson, students review vocabulary about the desert and how humans have to make changes to accommodate their environments. They listen to and...
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Digging for Dirt
Students examine how trash is removed and evaluate statistics related to trash removal. In this trash removal lesson plan, students explore the different methods of trash removal and make an original diagram graphing statistical...
National Institute of Open Schooling
Environmental Concerns
Every year, more than 14 billion pounds of garbage is dumped into the oceans of the world, most of which is plastic and toxic to ocean life. Lesson 32 in the series of 36 focuses on environmental concerns, specifically pollution. Under...
Curated OER
Solving Environmental Problems
Students identify a community environmental problem and possible solutions. They analyze the connection between the problem and the solutions and the importance of it to the local community. Students then draw a picture of an...
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Global Warming and Climate Change
Students explore the environment by writing a persuasive letter. In this global warming lesson plan, students identify the key problems with our energy consumption in the United States. Students complete worksheets and write a letter...
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Government Lesson Plan - Number 14
Students analyze data on air pollution in Maryland. They evaluate the effectiveness of government actions to improve air quality. Each group recommends actions that would improve air quality on the federal, state and local level.
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Sewage Matrix and Field Experience
Learners visit a sewage treatment plant and use an exercise to identify the effects of given sewage components on humans and the environment when sewage treatment is bypassed or fails. They read the provided "sewage matrix" worksheet and...
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Canada's Arctic Barometer
Middle schoolers research arctic climates. In this Web-quest investigation, students will identify Arctic climate changes, explain the effects of these changes, relate the changes to other regions, and write their findings in a letter...
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Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
Exactly how environmentally friendly is your school? From the air fresheners in the bathrooms to the cleaning solvents used in the classrooms, young conservationists search the school grounds for sources of air pollution in...
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...
Curated OER
Using Land
In this using land worksheet, students determine if effects on the environment are due to natural or man-made causes. This worksheet has 10 fill in the blank and 4 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Environmental Quality in Our Own Backyard
Learners research an environmental issue and decide on a course of action. They write a reseach paper and present an oral presentation based on the research.
Curated OER
Diversity of Life: Pathogens
Students research bacteria and viruses that carry pathogens. In this diversity lesson, students examine how pathogens spread disease through bacteria and viruses. Students write a report on disease caused by bacteria or virus including...
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Water Properties of the Great Salt Lake
Fourth graders examine the ecosystem of the Great Salt Lake in this two-part instructional activity, completing a KWL chart before and after the field trip to the site. While there, they draw and write about their observations. To test...