Curated OER
Selecting the Tap: Water Safety
Examine water as a scarce natural resource instead of taking it for granted. Middle schoolers identify the traits of potable water, and research local water sources to determine if they are impaired or not.
Curated OER
Introducing Industries
If you are looking for a way to explore Michigan's resources, physical features, and more, this lesson is for you. After discussing Michigan and the Great Lakes, learners fill out a graphic organizer identifying the state's natural...
Curated OER
What Role Do Forest Play in Continuing or Renewing Our Planet's Resources?
High schoolers explore the interaction between the forest and wildlife. In this forestry lesson, students collect data about forest ecosystems, species of trees, photosynthesis, and interaction of organisms. They prepare a lab activity...
Curated OER
Salmon Vs. Dams: the Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Students 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...
Curated OER
Selecting the Best Material to Use While Solving Technological Problems
Students examine natural resources and discuss their pros and cons. In this sustainable environment lesson, students describe reasons to use specific resources when faced with different problems, specifically why wood is a great...
Curated OER
Michigan-Made Products
Students conduct research of three different products that are made in Michigan. They determine how the product is made, manufactured, gathered, or found. They work with a partner to produce a multimedia presentation using their combined...
Curated OER
Michigan Virtual Field Trip
Students analyze data from a virtual field trip to Michigan. They conduct Internet research on mileage and travel time between cities, calculate and compare fuel costs, and research and calculate lodging, activities, and meal costs.
Curated OER
Economic Use of Public Natural Areas
Students examine the public controversy between the use of public natural areas for economic activities by viewing video clips, researching on the Internet, and calculating sustainable land.
Curated OER
High Rollaway Heroes
Young scholars work collaboratively with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to preserve a local historical and environmentally fragile site. They conduct a survey of the plant and animal life at the site, and create an...
Curated OER
Spork and Beans
Students examine natural selection, how it works and how it can cause microevolution. In this evolution lesson plan students complete a lab activity that shows the effects that natural selection has on organisms.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Water Supply
Participate in three activities that look at the earth's limited water supply and the changes water goes through as it enters each phase of the water cycle. The resource is complete with three activities that demonstrate the changing...
Curated OER
Michigan's Lumbering history: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Fourth graders explore lumbering in Michigan. For this lumbering lesson, 4th graders examine the life of a modern day lumberjack and how technology can interfere with natural ecology. Students create a list of products from the forest...
Curated OER
Battle Flags: Michigan and the Civil War Optional Research Assignment
Middle schoolers research an aspect of Michigan's involvement in the Civil War and prepare a two page research paper. They present their research findings in a news style presentation while role playing parts of a news team.
Curated OER
Michigan- Made Products
Students participate in studying about different Michigan-Made Products. They create a Hyper-Studio presentation that details six products that are made in Michigan. They research three different products in depth.
Curated OER
Recycling and Composting
Students set up composting sites that allow food scraps and paper to be recycled by nature. They are introduced to one aspect of recycling; composting. Students see how God recycles as the worms change garbage into something that brings...
Curated OER
Cycles and Starting Mealworms
Here is a fascinating lesson about the life cycles of plants and animals, and other cycles found in nature. Learners explore the cycle of the moon, the tides, and other sequences of events in every day life. The big activity is the...
Curated OER
Michigan Ecosystems: The Web They Weave
Young scholars examine the forest ecosystem and how all life in the forest depends upon itself. In this ecological lesson, students participate in a personal connections activity where someone pulls on a string and everyone feels it,...
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section Four: How Can We Protect Biodiversity?
Look into the future with a lesson plan on biodiversity and natural habitats. Learners read articles about different perspectives when it comes to planning future development, and decide which angle is the highest priority in a group...
Curated OER
Ecotourism in National Parks and Wilderness
Middle schoolers research a wilderness or natural area and develop a plan for ecotourism.
WK Kellogg Biological Station
Sounds of Selection
Do you want a creative and fun way to teach about natural selection? Hop to it by turning your middle school princes and princesses into frogs trying to catch as many bugs as possible in a Hungry Hungry Hippos style game. For high...
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip / Activity Research
Students visit a website to determine activities at three Michigan cities. They calculate the total cost of participating in the activities or visiting places such as zoos, planetariums, historic sites, and museums.
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip
Are we there yet? Young trip planners learn about their state and plan a trip. They will select sites to see in three cities in their state, and record associated costs in a spreadsheet. While this was originally designed as a...
Curated OER
Town Growth and Immigration
Fourth graders describe how Michigan has changed and stayed the same over time. They explain reasons why people settled/settle in Michigan, then explain the role of geography on the settlement of Michigan.
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip
This hands-on resource has future trip planners analyze graphs of mileage, gasoline costs, and travel time on different routes. While this was originally designed for a problem-solving exercise using a Michigan map, it could be used as a...