SF Environment
Waste-Less Lunch
Is it possible to have a waste-less lunch? Can your class become leaders in conservation? Discuss the importance of reducing waste during lunch time with a fun instructional activity that can be extended to everyday practices. First the...
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Planets in a Bottle
Students experiment with yeast. In this environmental conditions lesson students test the viability of samples of yeast. Students investigate the effects of environmental conditions on the yeast.
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Keeping our Water Clean
Second graders discuss how our actions impact the quality of water. In this environmental science lesson, 2nd graders watch a short film and discuss the problem of polluted water. Students are then divided into groups and record their...
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Animals
Second graders define and describe the characteristics of a mammal and a mammal's importance to man. They also describe the life cycle of a frog and compare and contrast a larva and an adult frog. Finally, 2nd graders study and explain...
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A Day in the Life of Bottled Water
Students research natural resources. In this environmental lesson, students define what a natural resource is and explore the life of a single-use water bottle. Students create a waste-reduction plan.
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Celebrating Earth Day
Students explore environmental safety by planting seeds outside their classroom. In this Earth Day lesson, students identify the different ways to recycle and conserve resources on Earth while facilitating recycling bins around campus....
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Dirt Babies
Dirt babies are an excellent way to show young botanists the plant life cycle. They explore the functions and industry behind grasses before growing some of their own. Use the informational text here and consider implementing some...
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Butterfly 2: A Butterfly's Home
Students determine which environmental characteristics make up a favorable butterfly habitat.
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Worms, Nature's Recyclers!
Students study what worms need to survive in different environments. They study how worm composting improves soil and reduce waste. They discuss composting techniques and present a puppet show about a worm's life.
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Endangered Animals: Hawaii
Students locate regions in Hawaii where specific endangered animals live. They describe habitats, identify reasons why the species has become endangered, consider how a healthy environment for wildlife contributes to a healthy...
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Tree Top Canopy Field Trip
Learners visit the Greenheart Canopy Walkway. In this environmental instructional activity, students experience a coastal rain forest ecosystem. Learners interact and explore the different layers of the rain forest.
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Comparing Deciduous and Evergreen Trees
Learners investigate nature by identifying different plants and trees. In this environmental field trip, students participate in a British Columbia expedition in which they identify cedar, pine, hemlock and Douglas fir trees. Learners...
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Dinosaurs Were Real!
Students investigate the history of dinosaurs, as real animals. For this dinosaur lesson plan, students examine basic concepts that help them understand the history of all life. Included in this article is information on the world of...
Montana Natural History Center
Studying Grassland Ecosystems
At first glance, grassland ecosystems might seem dull and uninteresting, but once you start to explore it's amazing the things you'll find! Through this series of engaging lessons, activities, and experiments, elementary students examine...
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How Can We Help?
Students explore ocean animals and their environments. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students read a story and discuss the environmental needs of animals. Students think of ways to help clean up the environment and to make...
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Carbon Footprint Estimator
Students discover what a Carbon Footprint represents. In this sustainable lifestyle lesson, students determine their Carbon Footprint as an individual and as a class. Students use a the Internet to calculate how many earths it would take...
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Oil Spill Activity (Easy)
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson plan, students examine the effects of oil spills and investigate clean-up methods as they participate in a hands-on activity.
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What Is a Pond?
Students identify animals and plants that live in a pond. In this marine biology lesson, students create a chart of animals and plants they think they would see at the pond. Students create a "pond symphony" by imitating the sounds they...
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Estuaries Are for the Birds!
Students recognize that birds act as indicators of pollution because of their sensitivity to environmental change, and role play the manner in which marine debris can be hazardous to waterfowl.
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Soil Acidity and Leaching
Students are introduced to the concept of acids and bases and arouse curiosity about acids and bases in daily life. They are introduced to the measurement of soil pH. Pupils are introduced to the effect of soil pH on nutrient cycling...
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Energy is Everywhere
Students differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources and identify the different forms of energy and list the advantages or disadvantages of different forms of energy. They also determine the benefits as well as the...
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Pond Water Web
Students familiarize themselves with the common organisms that live in a pond and discover their importance in a balanced aquatic habitat as they create food webs. They also investigate how an environmental change affects the habitat as...
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Receding Waters
Young scholars explore the effect of environmental factors on ecosystems. In this wildlife and ecology lesson plan, students identify and describe the stages in a frog's life cycle. Young scholars participate in a simulation...
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Recycling!
The learners recall events from Dr. Seuss' story The Lorax and make connections to environmental issues affecting their lives. They are expected to reflect on the facts of the story and respond verbally stating the inferences they made...