Sustainable Consumption Teacher Resources

The land has always provided its inhabitants with resources that allow them to survive. However, sometimes resources run scarce and sharing becomes an important task. Help little ones understand why and how people have shared resources...

Young scholars explain the relationship of hiking/backpacking and caloric consumption as well as to develop an understanding of diet, nutrition, cooking and planning skills.

Don't waste any more energy trying to find a great resource on energy. The third installment of a 25-part Energy Systems and Solutions unit focuses on energy use in pupils' lives. They consider how their daily routines consume energy and...

A short, engaging video provides a critique of the hyper-consumerist mentality that many think have taken over the Western world. After watching the video, pupils reflect on their own habits and use evidence...

How do green plastics reduce waste and environmental pollution? Budding scientists create and test a variety of compounds used in green plastics during an insightful experiment. Beginning with startling statistics and ending with...

Don't lift another finger, this physical and environmental science unit has everything you need to begin teaching your class about energy. Starting with a look at the greenhouse effect, these lessons and activities take young scientists...

Students view a video about the state of the environment. They discover the topic of sustainable agriculture. They identify problems and how to solve them.

Students participate in a simulation using M&M's that highlights Garrett Hardin's concept of the "tragedy of the commons." They use the activities to study sustainability issues in the fishing industry.

Young scholars explore the concept of water as a resource and as a human right. In this conservation instructional activity, students record and chart personal water usage and consumption then brainstorm ways in which to responsibly...

What features make a home energy-efficient? Pupils attempt to answer the question with the fourth lesson from the five-part WE Are Innovators—High School Modules set. Scholars learn how certain building materials help save energy. Using...

Thirty percent of energy used by schools is used inefficiently! Part two in the series of 12 has groups perform energy audits of their schools as part of the Cool Schools Challenge. Each group is assigned a specific room, performs the...

How can people do their part to help protect the environment? Learners participate in an engaging jigsaw activity to discuss the causes and effects of pollution. Next, pupils develop their own innovative ideas to address an environmental...

Students investigate the recycling system in the United States by participating in an online activity.  In this environmental care lesson, students research what makes up our trash output in this country and where it goes....

Fourth graders discuss where food is obtained and list their favorite items. They research recipes to discover their ingredients. They investigate the advertising and cost of food and prepare menus from earlier eras.

Students examine their own consumption habits. Using various advertisements, they discuss their role in showing consumers what they must have in their lives. As a class, they encourage each other to change their habits and discuss how...

Young scholars map connections among raw materials. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students design strategies to minimize the use of raw materials and discuss how to use more sustainable materials.

Students examine the critiques of organic agriculture and its production and marketing approaches.  In this sustainable agriculture lesson students study how the ideas about ethics of the food system are changing. 

Learners examine energy issues. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students discuss nuclear power options. Learners also discuss energy consumption and create energy reduction guides for students their own age. Many links to...

Students examine environmental and social impacts of products that consumers buy. In this environmental stewardship lesson plan, students play a game that requires them to consider real costs of products. Students consider the...

Students inquire about how much sugar they consume on a daily basis. In this healthy habits demonstration, students examine how much sugar is in a variety if foods by spooning out teaspoons and placing into a bowl.  Students discuss...

Sixth graders explore how everyday items come from the forest.  In this tree products lesson students create an advertisement for one product that comes from the forest. 

Fourth graders explore various methods of growing and harvesting rainforest foods in order to sustain its biodiversity. They discuss the various uses for trees from several viewpoints. Students research chocolate demand and land use...

Ninth graders explore how human activities shape the earth's surface.  In this awareness lesson, 9th graders create pictographs showing the relations of food, people, land, and resources. Students complete worksheet.

Here is a fantastic experiment-based lesson on water conservation, waste, and filtration. The lesson plan is well-developed and provides background information, discussion leads, and six scripted lab activities anyone can do. The class...