Curated OER
Energy and the Environment
Fifth graders define alternative energy form, design models which show how the energy source can be used, and explain the purpose of dams.
Curated OER
Energy and the Environment
Fifth graders define terms associated with renewable and nonrenewable resources. They identify materials that are renewable and nonrewable. They categorize a list into the correct type of resource.
Science NetLinks
Green Roof Design
Green roofs aren't just eco-friendly — they are literally green with trees. Groups learn about the concept of green roofs in order to be able to design one. The groups design a 5,000-square-foot green roof for a fictional apartment row...
City and County of San Francisco
I Want It! I Need It!
Discuss wants and needs with your elementary ecologists and get them to consider what would happen to our natural resources if we all got everything that we want. Learners play a card sorting game and take an ecological footprint quiz on...
Curated OER
"Habitats"
Students complete a unit of lessons on animals and animal conservation. They observe a square meter of ground outside the school, set up a model environment, analyze an owl pellet, grow bread mold, and explore various websites.
Curated OER
Run-off Race
Students create wetland models in pans and use them to experiment to see how plants help slow the flow of runoff water and keep our waterways clean.
Curated OER
Animal Skin
Students investigate the skin surface to body area ratios for different animals. In this seventh/eighth grade mathematics/science lesson, students explore heat transfer between an animal’s body and the environment. Using...
Curated OER
Backyard Habitats
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...
Curated OER
Building Green
Students read an article and learn about building green. In this environment lesson plan, students visit a website to learn about Mark Baker and Nonnie Chrystal. Students write down the three events that led them to explore...
Curated OER
Learning about Native Americans through Artifact Analysis and Artwork
Sixth graders assess how a Native American's environment and the geographic region where they lived influenced their food, clothing, shelter and the overall culture of a tribe. They study the impact of conservation, family, rural life,...
Curated OER
Examining a Hazardous Waste Site
Young scholars identify activities that produce hazardous waste. They examine how contaminants are spread in air and water. They work together to create a model to show how the contaminants move through water.
Curated OER
Using Abiotic and Biotic Parameters to Monitor Air Quality
Students identify the abiotic factors that influence a river or stream and the organisms that live in it. They measure several abiotic and biotic parameters to gauge water quality. Students examine the biotic environment by identifying...
Curated OER
Watersheds
Students discover the importance of watersheds and how they impact other bodies of water. Using a map, they identify and analyze a watershed in their local area and evaluate the health of the water nearby. In groups, they plan their...
Curated OER
Away with Waste!
Students read and analyze the story Away on the Bay as a springboard to discuss water pollution. They may look into ways in which water can be cleaned and a watershed restored.
Curated OER
Home Survey: What Kind of Energy?
In this environmental awareness instructional activity, students become aware of home energy conservation and recycling. Students answer 10 short essay questions about the energy used in daily life.
Consumers Energy
The Cost of Electricity
How much is your toaster costing you every day? Young environmentalists calculate the monetary costs of household appliances based on their average consumption of wattage.
Pace University
Pollution
Over the course of 10 days, scholars take a pre-assessment to place them in one of three leveled groups. Whole-class and in small groups, pupils take part in read-alouds, field trips, hands-on activities, and complete learning contracts...
CK-12 Foundation
CK-12 Earth Science Concepts for Middle School
Explore a variety of science concepts in an interactive textbook created for middle school scholars. A lengthy table of contents takes readers to pages comprised of a subject overview, outline, and summary. Follow links further to find...
Curated OER
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lesson Plan
Indigenous Land Guardianship, Settler Colonialism, Racial Capitalism. While the terms may be new to some, they feature in a lesson plan designed for Indigenous Peoples' Day. Young scholars investigate four concepts: Land...
Curated OER
THE FARMER CARES FOR THE LAND
Students will identify cause and effect relationships in issues relating to Agriculture and the environment.Ask students to describe what farmers do. Then ask students to define the word "environmentalist." Ask students if they have...
Curated OER
Fossil Fuel and the Ticking Clock
Students study energy sources to learn about fossil fuels and environmental concerns. In this energy sources activity, students watch demonstrations for various energy examples. Students find hidden pennies, make a bar graph on their...
Curated OER
Marine Debris
Students will perform experiments to examine if debris will float, or blow in the wind. They discuss the effects of these characteristics on marine debris.
Curated OER
Driving Forces Forestry In Canada
Learners discuss the natural and economic impact of forests and forestry. Using given statistics they construct different types of graphs in which they make observations and draw conclusions.
Curated OER
Roving Reporter
Learners write a report about energy use. In this conservation lesson, students interview adults about their use of renewable and nonrenewable energy. Learners synthesize this information and write a report from the point of view of a...