+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Then and Now, A Watershed in San Francisco

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Pupils compare recent and historic maps to explore landscape changes. Using photos provided, students identify prominent features on the maps. They discuss differences in landscape, human impact on watershed, and changes in natural...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Muir's Vision Lives On

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify perspectives on land management issues. They research and debate Yosemite's General Management Plan and develop personal responsibility on a local issue through citizen action.
+
Interactive
DocsTeach

Environmental Case Study: Hetch Hetchy Valley

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
What is more important: building a new school or preserving a nature reserve? Keeping a natural area clean or providing clean drinking water to a city of millions? Young scholars weigh these questions—almost literally—using an...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explain that earthquakes are sudden motions along breaks in the crust called faults. They list the major geologic events including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mountain building, which are the result of crustal plate...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Igneous Rock Features

For Students 9th - 12th
In this rock worksheet, learners review the characteristics associated with igneous rock features. This worksheet has 14 multiple choice questions.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Campfire Conversation

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine point of view as it relates to public issues.  In this point of view lesson, students become familiar with the point of view of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt about the wilderness. Students debate if the wilderness...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Falling Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. They see how varying the height from which water is dropped affects the splash size. In seeing how falling water can...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Postcard to Self

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Pupils, during their free time near the end of their journey they are, reflect on their trip.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Land Use and Lawmaking in California

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate the laws of using land.  In this California Government lesson, students examine the many uses of land in California and find an environmental issue they care about.  Students write a letter to a politician based on...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sand or Rock? Finding Out From 1,000 km

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars observe how measurements are made with different instruments.  In this remote sensing activity students investigate the physical state of surfaces including the surfaces of the solar system. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Saving the Big Trees

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use a core map to obtain information about the Big Trees for measuring and graphing. In addition, students judge whether the Big Trees should be preserved or conserved.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment: John Muir Day

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students observe John Muir Day by visiting Websites containing fact sheets, excepted writings, as well as songs, pictures, and educational sources. They use April 21 as a day to reflect on Muir's accomplishment and environmental legacy....
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine biodiversity in plant life and what an ecosystem is composed of.  In this ecosystem lesson plan students go around their school and collect specimens and examine the plant species they encounter. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Can Depend on Me

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students identify how they depend on others, and examine and discuss the images on the California Quarter Reverse. They view and discuss images of various habitats, complete a Habitat Research worksheet, and create a habitat diorama.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ground Water: Construct a Model Aquifer

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students recognize that one source of drinking water is ground water located in aquifers. They create a model of an aquifer and summarize their experience in a report.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Monument for Marine Conservation

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to discover what's there and pick up clues as to how people have both harmed and helped the native habitats. They study another protected area and see how to balance conservation efforts...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Preserving Wilderness Enhance Forestry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify events of the environmental movement in the United States.  For this environment  lesson students study Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, who had a great impact on the environmental movement. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Valuing the World Around You

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this character education lesson plan, students examine a quote from John Muir regarding the value of nature.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Champions Of The Land

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write an abstract of a book concerning conservation. In this environmental activism lesson, students explore books such as Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.  Students choose a book about conservation from a suggested book list and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glaciers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders summarize how Earth processes today are similar to those that occurred in the past, and explain how slow geologic processes have large cumulative effects over long periods of time.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytelling and Drawing

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners orally retell the Yosemite Miwok legends and design accompanying artistic depictions. They discover the various storytelling elements, such as plot and theme.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students, in groups, observe the effect of water and ice on surface features of the land. They alsoexplore erosion and deposition.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing the Wilderness - The Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the controversy over building the Hetch Hetchy Dam and determine their points of view regarding the use of public lands.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore reasons for earthquakes. They discuss and describe the types of faults. Using the internet, 6th graders research a specific location of a former earthquake. They describe the damage, magnitude, the epicenter,...