Curated OER
Earthworms and Making a Wormery
Students explore the environment by researching insects. In this earthworm lesson, students utilize soil and plexiglass to build a see through wormery in which students can observe the worms at work. Students identify the benefits of...
Curated OER
Are You Balanced With Your Environment?
Students discuss the impact of not keeping the environment in balance for future generations. As a class, they are introduced to the concept of "Balance of Nature" and what it means. In groups, they research the role of trees and how to...
Curated OER
Beyond Organic?
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.
Curated OER
Think Green
Students experience and practice compositing and recycling through hands-on-activities. They distinguish between which items from their trash can be recycled, composted and reused. The process for making recycled paper is also covered in...
Curated OER
Roots Need Oxygen
Students investigate the growth of plants in soil with oxygen and soil without oxygen. They discuss what roots need to survive, and chart the growth of two plants to analyze the difference between plain soil and soil with two earthworms.
Curated OER
Big Fat, Juicy Worms
Middle schoolers collect and study information about worms. They discover how an earthworm helps process and loosen the soil. They write in their journals as well.
Curated OER
Habitat Choice in Woodbugs
Learners investigate woodbugs. In this scientific investigation lesson, students explore the steps scientists take when conducting an investigation using live specimens. Learners explore habitat preferences for woodbugs in various...
Curated OER
Reduce Reuse Recycle
Students discover methods that can save the planet by recycling. In this sustainable planet lesson, students read The Berenstein Bears Don't Pollute Anymore, and practice memorizing the 3 R's. Students write commitment...
Curated OER
Test Your Trash IQ Crossword Puzzle
In this trash recycling crossword puzzle, students complete a word puzzle about proper trash recycling. They read 17 clues and place the answers in the proper place on the crossword puzzle.
Curated OER
Mycorrhiza
Young scholars examine the symbiotic relationship between fungus and plants. In this ecosystem lesson students complete several mycorrhiza experiments.
Curated OER
Not In My Backyard: Siting A Resource Recovery Facility
Students role play a town meeting in which a new resource facility could be built. They have time to question each other after all sides have presented.
PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Dirt! The Movie
'Dirt the Movie' is an independent film about the importance of soil, how it is affected by things like climate change and pollution, and how we can learn to take better care of it. The site features video clips from the film, articles...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: The Great Plant Escape: Soiled Again
Help Detective Le Plant dig for clues in the soil to solve this case. You'll need to find out what soil is, why it is important, and in what kinds of soil plants grow.
Other
Grace Communications: Food Print
An environmentally conscious group brings to light the relationship between food, water and energy, and the importance of sustainability. The site looks at issues such as animal welfare, social justices, food policy, the industrial food...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Environment
Through 10 lessons and more than 20 hands-on activities, students are introduced to the concept of an environment and the many interactions within it. As they learn about natural and human-made environments, as well as renewable and...