Lesson Plan
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Disposing Garbage

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students explore environmental cleanliness by completing a worksheet in class. In this waste management lesson, students identify the technological advances in society and how they increase waste production our planet is unable to deal...
Lesson Plan
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Hidden Animals

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars predict the safest seashore substrate for animals. In this animal habitat experiment, students predict, test their hypothesis, and record data about how wave shocks affect animals living on either sand, gravel or rock. 
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Build an Indoor Compost Bin

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students write an essay to describe the contents of a compost bin.  In this composting lesson, students create a compost bin. Students examine soil for its contents and explains in an essay the impact of the soil on the environment.
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The Zabbaleen, Cairo's Garbage Workers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Here is a fascinating human geography study of the Zabbaleen. They are a sub-class of people who work as garbage collectors in Cairo, Egypt. I can't say enough good things about this resource in my limited space here. It is fabulous! If...
Lesson Plan
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Plantable Pulp Cards

For Teachers K - 8th
What a great way to give a gift that keeps on giving! These homemade plantable cards are not only beautiful, but can be planted into the ground to sprout in the right season. Incorporate this project in a science unit, or for a Mother's...
Lesson Plan
National Park Service

Reduce Our Carbon Footprint, Let’s Compost!

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost lesson plan. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and you're ready...
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Build an Outdoor Compost Heap

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study how to create a compost heap. For this composting lesson, students create a compost heap. Students write an essay describing the process.
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A Growing Market

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research plants and the bedding plant industry and then make a list of materials they need to plant seeds. In this planting lesson plan, students then plant their seeds, chart their progress, and write what they have learned.
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Planetary Problem Solving

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create their own planet. They determine its diameter, density, composition, mass and orbit. Students create a list of elements necessary to sustain human life. They present their model to the class.
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Rainforest Caterpillars Grades K-2

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are told that after they discuss and examine of rainforest caterpillars, they are going to create their own rainforest caterpillar based on the information they have studied. They are given the habitat scenarios on 3x5 cards.
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What's Below the Earth's Surface?

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students identify the geological layers of the Earth. They graphically depict each layer's characteristics. Students label and develop a color key for their exhibit. They create a down-to-Earth 3-D display with Erasable Markers.
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What's Organic?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students discuss background information presented by the teacher and read dictionary definitions for the words "organic" and "synthetic." In this gardengin instructional activity, students complete a worksheet on the material. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Caps for Sale!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
If you can find the book Caps for Sale in the target foreign language, this is a great activity to accompany it! After reading and modeling the story, the teacher models a dialogue that would take place between a salesman and a...
Lesson Plan
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A Tree is a Friend

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover the value of trees in our society.  In this ecosystem instructional activity, 5th graders read the book, A Tree is Nice, and discuss with classmates how trees are essential to our existence due to creating...
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Extra! Extra!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students describe how plants and animals depend on each other. They see how living and nonliving environments change over time. They identify ways in which humans have changed their environment and the effects of those changes.
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Sew, You Want To Quilt?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students become familiar with the achievements of the artist Faith Ringgold. They take notice of the patterns in their environment. They connect the mathematical concept of patterns to create a class quilt.
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Introduction to Restoration Lesson

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore how pollution and invasive plants disrupt the ecosystem.  In this restoration lesson plan students list materials that pollute wetlands, how people can keep them clean and ways in which invasive plants...
Lesson Plan
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Salt Marsh in a Pan

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students create a model of a salt marsh to discover the impact of pollution and human activities on water-based habitats including bays and the ocean. They recognize the relationship between natural and developed areas. Students impact...
Lesson Plan
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LEAF (Learning Exercises and Activities in the Forest

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe populations and determine the functions (e.g., decomposers, producers, consumers) they serve in an ecosystem. They investigate the energy flow ecosystems. Students investigate factors (.g., Resources, light, water) that...
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Bandhavgarh: The Tiger's Domain

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers research Bandhavgarh, India in order to create a project that educates people about the area and the royal Bengal tigers that roam freely amongst the ruins of temples and palaces of the once powerful dynasty.
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Funky Fungus

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss decomposition, bacteria, fungi and other microscopic organisms. They participate in an experiment to grow fungus on bread. As the fungus colonies grow, students observe them under a microscope to identify and locate...
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The Water Cycle

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students simulate the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students create a model of the water cycle. Students draw the water cycle and write a paragraph explaining their drawing.
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Pizza Garden

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students get involved in growing veggies so they may start eating them more!
Lesson Plan
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Ecology

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research an ecosystem and its endangered species. They create a PowerPoint Presentation, oral report, poster or a booklet based on their research. They research on the internet and in biology texts in teams of 4.