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 plan 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?
Students 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 to...
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...
Henry Ford Museum
Sustainability: Environmental Management and Responsible Manufacturing
When you think about environmental sustainability, the Ford Motor Company probably isn't the first company to come to mind. A four-lesson unit introduces learners to the idea of sustainability and environmental stewardship. It describes...
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
Students 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 informational...
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 plan, 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...
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...
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
Students 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
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...
Curated OER
Measuring Objects in the Classroom
Third graders use ruler and tapes to measure classroom objects. After discussing measurement tools, have students complete sentences stating what they would use to measure various objects. Later in the computer lab, they type their...
Curated OER
Searching For Power
Fourth graders explore different forms of energy and discover ways that natural resources are important. They research how your town would be affected by building your type of power plant.
Henry Ford Museum
Human Impact on Ecosystems
An environmenta science unit includes three lessons plus a cumulative project covering the ecosystem. Scholars follow the history of the Ford Rouge Factory from its construction on wetlands and how it destroyed the environment to its...
Curated OER
Food and Fiber: Helping the Environment and You
Fourth graders explore the many uses of corn-based products and the importance of water resources. They consider how biodegradable products help to keep water clean. They perform experiments to observe how corn pellets dissolve while...
Curated OER
Fires and Fire Suppression
Middle schoolers examine their assumptions about forest fires. They explore the conflicts involved with the forest service's new strategy. in addition, they will study one case where a prescribed natural burn had a significant impact on...
Curated OER
Non Native Species: English Ivy-Landscape Plant or Deadly Killer?
High schoolers study the impact that invasive species have on biodiversity and more natural areas.