California Academy of Science
Greening Your Middle School
Middle schoolers redesign their school to make it more energy efficient, and create a model of their design. Learners get together in groups of 5, and they take on the task of making their school more energy efficient. To do this, they...
Beyond Benign
Decision Graphic Introduction
E is for economics, environment, and social equity. The fifth installment of a 15-part series has scholars first considering ecological impacts, such as determining how much water it takes to produce a can of soda. They then use decision...
Beyond Benign
Leave Only Footprints
You don't need to tip-toe around an enlightening resource. Young environmentalists learn about ecological footprints in the fourth lesson of 15. Answering a questionnaire helps them see how their own families and homes affect the...
Curated OER
Images as Messages
Your class watches a video about Chris Jordan, a talented photographer and activist who tries to get an environmental message out by his work. As a cross-curricular project, have your class imitate his style of art with an object that...
Curated OER
Variations on a Human Face Lab
Ninth graders gain an application level understanding of probability, symmetry, and ratios and rates that exists in one's everyday environment relative to human genetics.
Curated OER
High School EcoHouse Curriculum
How has the level of carbon dioxide changed over recent years, and what is contributing it? Groups work together to research and present their findings in a creative way. Also built into the lesson is a visit to a sustainable house, but...
American Institute of Architects
Architecture: It's Elementary!—First Grade
Build an interest and appreciation for architecture in your young learners with this fun 10-lesson art unit. Engaging children in using their five senses, the class first observes the environment around them, paying...
Curated OER
A Contouring We Go
Students examine the built environment and infrastructures of their community by constructing contour equipment, using the equipment, and comparing their results to current topographical maps of the same area
Beyond Benign
Green House?
A solid foundation is important for all things—especially houses. Learners research different materials for foundations based on environmental impact and cost. They decide whether concrete, insulated concrete, or wood would be best for...
Curated OER
Walk a Mile in Albatross Shoes
Students recognize the correlation between the trash they dispose of around their school and the environmental hazards that face wildlife, specifically the Laysan albatross. They determine three ways that they can help the albatross chicks.
Consumers Energy
The Cost of Electricity
How much is your toaster costing you every day? Young environmentalists calculate the monetary costs of household appliances based on their average consumption of wattage.
Curated OER
Evergreen's Green Team Energy Audit
Students investigate the ways energy is used at their school and how it can be changed. In this energy lesson plan, students participate in a service project related to energy. Students record and calculate changes that saved...
Curated OER
Investigating comparative biodiversity of wetland and schoolyard sites
Fourth graders participate in an activity dealing with the environment.
Curated OER
Teaching with Nature
Students participate in a nature walk to learn about their natural environments. In this nature study lesson, students brainstorm a list of things to look for on their nature walk. Students go on the nature walk and locate objects they...
Curated OER
The Ie Storm 1998: Maps and facts activity
Learners investigate the St. Lawrence River Valley, ice Storm of 1998. In this middle school mathematics instructional activity, students interpret ice storm data from tables and maps. Learners write about their own...
Curated OER
Ocean Exploration: How Doea you Data Grow? (Grades 7-8)
Students explore fieldwork. In this seventh or eighth grade mathematics lesson, students watch a video on data collection in the field. Students use fieldwork to gather data about their school environment. ...
Curated OER
Life with Energy
Students identify forms of energy and the advantages/disadvantages of different forms of energy. They describe ways in which technology affects the environment both good and bad. Finally, benefits are determines as well as the...
Curated OER
Teaching in the Shared Way of Ghandi and Montessori
For this differentiated lesson, students incorporate different subjects using the Ghandi and Montessori methods instead of the traditional method used in regular schools. In math they investigate shapes, colors and sizes. In writing they...
Curated OER
Buffalo Gone: Appreciating Natural Resources
Students develop numercy skills by studying the number of bison before and after the arrival of European settlers in Canada. They examine the affect of the reduction in the number of bison on Native families.
Curated OER
World Statistic Day
Eleventh graders collect data about the state they live in. In this statistics lesson, 11th graders collect and analyze data as they compare themselves to students in other states. They analyze data about a person's education level, and...
Curated OER
Waste Watchers
Students recognize the importance of saving energy to save natural resources. In this saving energy lesson, students complete a worksheet to find types of electricity meters in their homes. Students use meter readings to calculate energy...
Curated OER
Water: From Neglect to Respect
The goal of this collection of lessons is to make middle schoolers more aware of the ways in which they are dependent upon water to maintain their standard of living. Learners compare water use in Lesotho to water use in the United...
Curated OER
The Math of Renewable Energy
Middle schoolers research additional information about questions on their worksheet. For this energy activity, students develop visual aids of their proposed solution to the problem. They present their work in class.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
A Thematic Learning Guide to Lions
Written as an accompaniment to a field trip to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Arizona, this is an interdisciplinary, themed lesson on lions. Even if you cannot take your upper-elementary kids to this attraction, there are a few...