University of Southern California
What's the Catch?
There must be a catch! A comprehensive lesson looks at ocean fishing concerns through a set of five hands-on activities. Learners become aware of the risks of seafood contamination and factors that have affected the ocean environment.
Curated OER
Oil Consumption
Learners explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science instructional activity, students calculate the barrels of oil that their family consumes in a year.
Curated OER
Make a Food Safety Brochure
Students create brochures that inform their families how to prepare and store food to prevent food-borne illnesses. They research food safety facts and proper food-handling techniques on the internet.
Curated OER
Community Action
Fifth graders decide how one uses resources within a particular bioregion. In this decision making lesson, 5th graders consider the biodiversity and complexity of the ecosystem. Students select a resource (water, paper, electricity)...
Curated OER
Wasting Energy at Home?
Young scholars identify ways that energy is wasted. They develop ideas on how to conserve energy in the home. They also categorize appliances found in the home as heavy, moderate, or light users of energy
Curated OER
Step by Step
Learners explore agriculture by creating a food production diagram. In this farming instructional activity, students read assigned text about the entities that assist in food production companies such as farmers, truckers and...
Curated OER
Bye-Bye Trout Song
Students develop an understanding about what will happen to trout after they are released into the trout stream. In this trout life lesson, students discuss how it feels to release the trout they have cared for. Students also sing a song...
Curated OER
The Invasion of the Medfly
Students examine the invasion of the fruit fly in California. In groups, they observe and record the fruit fly's lifecycle and how they affect humans in society. They also discuss the history and geography of the fly and the different...
Curated OER
Community Action
Fifth graders brainstorm a list of decisions that students make daily that affect the welfare of the environment categorizing them as being either helpful or harmful. They then trace local actions to distant consequences to determine how...
Curated OER
Fur Trading
Students take on a role such as a farming community, hunting community or a trading post. They decide which products they focus on and then trade with the other groups.
Curated OER
Junk Mail Overload!
Students discuss the "junk mail nuisance" with the teacher and share their opinions on the problem. Students collect a week's worth of junk mail, bring to class and complete a chart about the amount and weight. Students then complete an...