Curated OER
Cartoons in the Classroom: Conserve or Drill
To drill or to conserve? This question is the foundation of the political cartoons up for critical analysis in this well-composed worksheet. Learners will analyze two cartoons guided by background information and excellent questions for...
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LAND USE DEBATE / TOWN MEETING
Ninth graders research, analyze, and orally defend an issue related to the use of geologic resources. They defend their position in written form by composing a letter to an appropriate source.
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Salmon Vs. Dams: the Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Learners role-play a meeting of the Elwha River council in which they present opposing views to council members on hydroelectric power and salmon fisheries resources. They brainstorm possible conflicts between various people in land-use...
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Persuasive Arguments
Examine persuasive writing using this informational excerpt about natural habitat conservation. Readers examine the headings of three paragraphs to determine their effect, then copy the first sentences of each. They use these topic...
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Wild Dog Debate
Students participate in a mock conference addressing the possible extinction of African wild dogs. In this wild dogs lesson plan, students state their arguments and ask questions about the issues they have researched.
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Debating the Control of Scarce Resources
Students examine the issue of government versus private sector control of natural resources. They read an article, evaluate the need for international law governing resource allocation, and participate in a class debate.
Channel Islands Film
Santa Cruz Island Restoration Narrative
What would you be willing to do to save an animal from extinction? After re-viewing a video about the restoration of the Island Fox on Santa Cruz Island, individuals adopt the point of view of one of the key players in the debate and...
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The Debate Over North Shore Road
Young scholars examine the impact of the North Shore Road Project in North Carolina. In this environmental science lesson, students share their views regarding this environmental issue. They compare and contrast the map of the Great...
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The Lorax
Third graders identify and list five problems presented in The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. They relate these problems to current environmental issues and debate how to make a difference then participate in different activities to improve their...
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Beaver, or not?
Students study the role of the beaver in Illinois during the 1800's and how overtrapping cause the near extinction of the beaver colonies in Illinois by 1900. Students role play various people in 1945 who have an opinion about the...
California Academy of Science
Exploring Our Growing Need for Water
Pupils explore the amount of water people use in agriculture and for personal use. They compare water usage for various crops to that of raising animals before considering solutions for increased access to safe drinking water worldwide....
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The Lorax
Third graders identify environmental problems. In this natural resources lesson students participate in several activities that support critical thinking about the environment and natural resources. The students write, list, and verbally...
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They're Tilling that Field Behind the Mall
Unfortunately, the article for which this resource was written is not available. You can, however, find another current document on agriculture and urban development for your class to read together, and then still follow the suggested...
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Water/Agua
Third graders complete water activities including vocabulary, visualization and performing activities. They study water vocabulary words in both English and Spanish. They listen to a read aloud of Jane Yolen's, Letting Swift River Go,...
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Soils
Students apply knowledge of soil, environmental impacts, economics, multiple human demands, and use given data for a proposed scenario in making land use decisions. They debate land use issues and/or scenarios and discuss a case study.
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Writing an Academic Argument on the House of Lords
Students debate the main roles of the House of Lords and argue whether or not it is necessary. Teams debate the pros and cons of the House of Lords then take a class vote on which side argues it case most persuasively. Using the...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Conserve More or Drill More?
For this current events worksheet, learners analyze a political cartoon about oil drilling and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Between a Rock and A Hard Place
Students identify what information they would need to make a decision about the breaching of a dam in order to save wild salmon. They evaluate the scenario in depth focusing on the economic impact on the community, and the salmon.
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John Muir in Yosemite
Learners explore different ways to value the environment and participate in a simulation of a historical debate to protect Yosemite as a National Park. They are assigned various roles in the debate in which they must research and present...
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John Muir's Vision Lives On
Students identify perspectives on land management issues. They research and debate Yosemite's General Management Plan and develop personal responsibility on a local issue through citizen action.
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Mini-Unit: Natural Resources
Students explore how their choices affect others. In this character development and ecology lesson, students debate choice-making issues. Students listen to The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and identify choices the characters made about tree...
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Where to shop?
Students study a topic of an environmental nature that is relevant to them (as individuals) on a local level, but with global implications. They consider whether their family's shopping habits have any lasting effects on the environment.
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Clearcutting: Sustainable Forestry?
Students explore the conflicts between the economy and the environment by focusing on forest management in Maine. They read pamphlets on siliviculture and clear-cutting as well as those by environmental groups then conduct a debate on...
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Sonoran Desert
Students discuss the complicated environmental issues that face different people today. They establish legal positions surrounding several different scenarios.