Curated OER
Dirty Decomposers
Learners explore the ecosystem by conducting a ziploc bag experiment. In this recycling lesson, students identify decomposer organisms in our environment and how they speed up the recycling process. Learners utilize a ziploc plastic bag,...
Curated OER
Layers of the Forest
Students explore rain forests. In this rain forest ecosystems lesson, students identify and describe the layers of the rain forest. Students paint and decorate a large rain forest mural. Students write riddles about animals that live in...
Curated OER
Perched Parrot Decorative Chair
Students discuss the rainforests and why they are important to the Earth's environment. They study the habitats and characteristics of various animals that live in rainforests. Students build a decorative chair using a rainforest theme.
Curated OER
This House is Made of Mud: Exploring the Shapes in Our Lives
Students study about our dependence on the earth's resources for materials. They practice their knowledge of geometric shapes by recognizing them in the context of the story.
Curriculum Corner
Earth Day Book
This Earth Day, celebrate our beautiful planet with an activity book that challenges scholars to show off their map skills, complete a crossword puzzle, write acrostic poems, alphabetize, and reflect on their personal Earth-friendly habits.
US Mint
Desert Dwellers
What can a quarter possibly teach young learners about desert ecosystems? More than you might think. After displaying and discussing the included picture of the Arizona state quarter, the class participates in a series of shared reading...
Curated OER
Polar Day: Living in the Canadian North
Young scholars study the Canadian North. In this Canadian North lesson, students study the physical characteristics and the lifestyles of people in that region. Young scholars complete map making and creative activities that help them...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa Science
Students study the parts of a plant in order to better understand the muhindi as one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa.
Curated OER
Urban Planning: Plan a City
Students analyze the concept of urbanization by planning the placement of some of the major urban/suburban features that make up most cities. They arrange the cultural features to benefit the people who live there, and maintain respect...
Curated OER
Science of War
Tenth graders, from an environmental perspective, study the pros and cons of war. Distinctions between characteristics of biological, chemical and nuclear threats and the impact of economic development are considered.
Curated OER
Learning to Live Responsibly Within One's Personal Resources
Students explore survival techniques in the light of their own values and personal situations. The differences between needs and wants and how consumerism effects the environment forms the main focus of this three lessons unit.
Curated OER
Environment: The Haves and the Have Nots
Students examine consumption habits in developed and developing countries and determine their effects on natural resources. In groups, they assess graphs on the Living Planet Report and observe the connection between consumption and...
Curated OER
The Best Place in the United States to Live
Students, working in small groups, analyze information provided in U.S. maps to make a logical determination of the best place to live in the United States in regards to natural and human-made hazards. Then, working individually, they...
New York City Department of Education
Grade 2 Literacy in Social Studies: Where Is Home?
What makes a community? How communities differ? Young scholars research different types of communities, small rural towns, and large crowded cities. They respond to writing prompts, and write essays in groups to understand the wide...
Curated OER
Close to Home
Fourth graders examine habitats for animals by creating their own in class environment. In this environment lesson, 4th graders research the Internet for information on certain wild animals and the places in which they live. Students...
Curated OER
You Say You Want an Evolution?
Students estimate the number of living organisms they might find in their local environment. After researching the types of organisms that existed during various geologic time periods, students describe how life forms have changed over...
Curated OER
Man's Struggle for Environmental Preservation
Students examine the way all living things are connected to one another. In groups, they participate in experiments in which they analyze the chemical processes through the biosphere and explain the role of energy. They also brainstorm...
Curated OER
Topography of Africa
Young scholars study Africa's diverse landscape and investigate how these features impact the available water supply, food sources, and population distribution of the continent. They compare topographical features and
their affect on...
Curated OER
Deserts: How Do You Define One?
Second graders identify what constitutes as a desert by reading a habitat checklist. In this environment lesson, 2nd graders read a nature website to discover facts about the desert and where they are located. Students utilize art...
Curated OER
Water Wonders
Students explore hydrology concepts. In this environment and biology instructional activity, students identify and describe macroinvertebrates using a variety of pictures and resources. Students observe and write about a classroom...
Curated OER
Progression's Price
Students reflect upon their regional and national environments, analyze causes of environmental problems as well as their implications, and examine effects of population growth as they participate in "The Popcorn Game."
Curated OER
Enduring Understanding
Fourth graders explore indigenous people of rainforest and examine their customs and ways of life. They discuss how rainforests should be protected not only for their plants and animals, but also for indigenous people who live in them,...
Curated OER
Water, Weather, and the World
Students in a special education classroom examine the role of weather and water in their lives. Each day, they add a symbol for the weather outside and identify the proper activities for the weather on that day. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Earth Day for a Small World
Students explore what it means to be a good steward of the environment. In this Earth Day lesson, students create watercolor pictures of how to take care of the earth. They brainstorm ideas for an Earth Day project.