Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nebraska's Wild Weather

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scholars examine the weather in Nebraska. Using this information, they describe the cause and effect relationships in the environment based on these changes in weather. They write various types of poems with weather themes and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lesson: Bio-fuels

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students explore  the pros and cons of bio-fuel use. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students visit selected websites to discover what bio-fuels are and the effect they may have on the environment.
Lesson Plan
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Lessons from The Lorax

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students read and watch a video of The Lorax by Dr. Suess. As a class, they answer a set of questions about how the environment was affected by industries. They also brainstorm a list of possible solutions to help curb the pollution.
Lesson Plan
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Deep Freeze

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars practice various sampling methods for retrieving data under water, ice, and soil. They use the sample material to make temperature measurements, chart contents, and draw their own conclusions as to what is happening in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Cycles

For Teachers 2nd
Using computers, Students work in small groups and progress through the roles of Explorer, Researcher, Designer, and Evaluator as they study the life cycle of plants, insects, butterflies and frogs.
Lesson Plan
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Carving Mountains

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore geography by participating in an illustration activity. In this land-form lesson, students define vocabulary terms associated with glaciers and forests. Students utilize pens, cardboard and pottery clay to draw and...
Lesson Plan
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Recycling: Causes of Pollution

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss while focusing on similarities in their world and that of the Lorax by completing a worksheet. They examine the effects of pollution or garbage on the environment.
Lesson Plan
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Creature Features

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students examine why certain animals live in only specific places throughout the world. Using animals, they classify them based on their characteristics and identify their basic needs. They also observe and compare the life cycles of...
Lesson Plan
University of South Carolina

Home Sweet Home

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders will research a biome (land or aquatic) and create a project (diorama, model or another idea of the student's choosing) which includes the geographic features of that biome as well as plants and animals found there and...
Lesson Plan
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Rock Eater

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners examine the effects of acid rain by performing a simulation experiment. They also view the effects of acid rain and erosion on the reservation and record observations in a science log.
Lesson Plan
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Environmental Jobs

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students evaluate whether particular jobs have a positive or negative impact on the environment. In this career exploration lesson, students complete a worksheet in pairs to determine if and why various jobs impact the environment.
Worksheet
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Rainforest Vocabulary Words: Week 1

For Students 7th - 8th
In these rainforest vocabulary worksheets, read the definitions and the matching terms for the following rainforest vocabulary terms: decomposers, deforestation, epiphytes, extinct, environment, pollute, vegetation, ecology, climate,...
Lesson Plan
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Ice Age Challenge Game

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners use a website to do various projects about the ice age and discover the route taken by the first arrivals are unknown and are the subject of a great deal of debate and research.
Lesson Plan
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Human Needs

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate human needs and how they have adapted to different environments. They complete an experiment to discover the effect of stress on muscles. They use the food pyramid to create a plan for healthy eating.
Lesson Plan
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Wetlands: Pave or Save?

For Teachers K - 6th
Students discuss the characteristics of wetlands and how to make them more productive. Using a map, they locate the major wetlands in the United States and color them using a key. They read an article and in groups answer discussion...
Lesson Plan
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Our Special Planet Earth

For Teachers K
Students explore what is special about our planet. They explore the various climates that are found on the planet Earth. Students create an advertisement to convince people why their favorite environment would be the best place to visit.
Lesson Plan
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Biocomplexity Lab Activity: Creating Salt Water

For Teachers 6th - 7th
The lesson seeks to intorduce to students the properties of salt water and how to create salt water. Teacher gives backgound information about salt water to students. From that point, students dscuss what elements are in salt water....
Worksheet
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Water Conservation

For Students K - 2nd
In this environment activity, students look for the facts of how to conserve water and help the environment. They complete the activities as part of the unit.
Lesson Plan
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Wacky Water Critters

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Learners visit a local creek or stream. They collect water samples from the creek and observe and sort the "water critters" they find in the sample, observing smaller organisms under a microscope if necessary. They identify each organism...
Lesson Plan
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The Cost of Telling the Truth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Leopold's Land Ethic involving illegal river dumping. They consider the dilemmas of the case study and share their ideas for a solution using group discussion and individual answers.
Lesson Plan
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Creating an Experimental Design

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the damage to the environment by certain plant species. They create an experimental design which they test how these species take over certain habitats. They share their information with the class.
Lesson Plan
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Creating a Coastal Area

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students design and lay out a map of a coastal area that includes a bay, an estuary, an ocean entrance, and prime beach lands. They write a plan outlining solutions to the economic problems of their community and present their map and...
Worksheet
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Forestry Background

For Students 9th - 12th
In this environment learning exercise, learners read the background information of forestry and focus upon harvesting and forest management.
Lesson Plan
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Natural History of Costa Rica

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Pupils use outline maps to become acquainted with Costa Rica. They see how it was formed and how its origin has created very diverse environments. Students then use atlases and compare their physical maps with maps of climate and the...