Curated OER
School Forest
Sixth graders explore the concept of biodiversity. In this biodiversity lesson, 6th graders discover a variety of planets and animals that live in forests, and how a rotting log benefits that environment. Students also locate seven...
Rainforest Alliance
Investments in Forest Carbon
One hundred metric tons of CO2 can accumulate in one acre of forest over time—that's a lot of carbon! In the activity, groups of middle school learners determine what makes forests important. They then solidify the concept by using a...
KOG Ranger Program
The Value of Oregon’s Forests
No matter where you go, you're in the middle of a forest in some way. Use a lesson about forests and the many ways they contribute to our world, including the ecosystems of animals and plants living in their shady soil.
Curated OER
How Smart Growth Can Reshape Communities
Middle schoolers explore the concept of smart growth development. They create a class list highlighting the benefits of smart growth and then research, discuss, and present their findings on the benefits of smart growth and how it...
American Museum of Natural History
Bio-Benefits
Kick-start a discussion of the importance of biodiversity with a colorful resource that touts the benefits of maintaining healthy ecosystems. The images stress the interdependence of all the elements of an ecosystem.
Curated OER
Forest Canopies: View from the Top
Students examine the economic and ecological benefits of forest canopies. They read and discuss an article, answer questions, conduct research, draw field sketches of a canopy ecosystem, conduct a feasibility study, or prepare tourist...
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
Many Uses of the Forest
First graders examine pictures of forest wildlife and identify different animals that live in the forest. They discuss resources the forest provides for human use and explore the concept that the forest is used by many at the same time.
Curated OER
If a tree falls in the forest.......
Students identify by-products from forests used in their everyday lives. They describe several ways in which people depend on forests. Students list everyday products made from trees, then research and categorize less common products...
Curated OER
Forest Management Dilemmas
Students discuss forest management dilemmas and make uninformed decisions as to whether they are appropriate management techniques. They draw bar graphs of the class opinion for each dilemma. They use media sources to become more...
Curated OER
The Miracle Resource - From Forest to Products
Young scholars create a collage of wood products labeled by type of wood product. In this product engineering lesson, students work in groups to find pictures of solid wood products, engineered wood products, wood pulp, paper products,...
Curated OER
Forest Fires
Students discuss the benefits and problems associated with fire. They discuss the role that fire plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Students brainstorm ways that fire can be harmful, such as damaging homes, communities, and...
Curated OER
Temperate Forests vs. Wetlands
Students compare and contrast the temperate forest and wetlands by researching them in groups. In this forest lesson plan, students identify the economic, ecological, and social benefits of each.
Curated OER
Rain Forests
Middle schoolers investigate claims of medicinal plants found in the rain forest. In this research skills lesson plan, students examine the validity of Internet sources as they visit websites in search of information about rain forest...
Curated OER
The Rotten Truth About Forest Decomposition
In this forest decomposition instructional activity, students read a one page detailed text about how rotting logs benefit forest animals. Students answer 6 essay questions.
Curated OER
Oregon Forest Management Policy Decision Making
Fifth graders explore forest lands in Oregon and how the population affects forest management. They discuss benefits of retaining forests and logging. Given a mini-biography, 5th graders role play the forest management policies and...
Curated OER
Protecting the Guatemalan Rainforest through Certification
Eighth graders examine criteria that may be involved in forest certification. In this rainforest instructional activity students create a brochure to educate people on the benefits of buying certified forest products.
Curated OER
Beaver Ecology
Students explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...
Curated OER
Forestry and Changing Feelings
Students investigate how the forest affects their daily lives by creating a concept map. In this ecological lesson, students create a concept map linking the forest to the many things they use each day. Students take a field trip in...
Curated OER
Pennsylvania Watersheds
Students identify the major watersheds of Pennsylvania. In this forestry lesson, students learn what a watershed is and are assigned one of the major watersheds of Pennsylvania. Groups then need to determine the boundaries of the...
Curated OER
Urban Ecosystems 5: In Defense Of Cities
Students explain that while cities have unattractive features, the density of human life enables energy efficiency, mass transit, recycling, and other benefits which are difficult or impossible in rural areas. This is the fifth in an...
Global Oneness Project
Learning with Nature
Think outside the box - and think about education beyond the classroom walls - with a resource that has your critical thinkers watching a video about a nursery in Scotland that lets youngsters roam wild in a forest. Viewers reflect on...
National Park Service
Fire Ecology on the Rim
An engaging unit on wildfires includes three sections, including a background section with eight lessons and five activities, a field experience section with 13 lessons and five activities, and a conclusion section featuring an analysis...
Curated OER
Introduction to Urban & Community Forestry: Why Do We Need Trees?
Twelfth graders construct a timeline to show changes and trends in the future of urban and community forestry. In this forestry lesson, 12th graders discuss the importance of trees. They read a timeline and add future events to show...