Students design a train route using a topographical map. In this historical and spatial thinking lesson plan, students must plan a route through the Sierra Nevada mountains that a train could physically travel. Links to printable student...

Students utilize dichotomous keys to identify trees in their schools.  In this ecological identification lesson, students practice creating dichotomous keys based on simple subjects such as hair color or sex of a person....

Learners consider how forest fires are both damaging and beneficial to forests.  In this earth science lesson, students are read the book Fire! In Yellowstone by Robert Ekey and watch "Fire Ecology" and "Two Sides of Fire" before...

Learners dissect three different flowers and compare and contrast them. In this flowers lesson plan, students learn about the flower anatomy and then dissect their own flowers.

Students survey the loss of forests around the world. In this environmental lesson, students read an article that outlines how forests are being lost and government interaction which encourages forests to be rebuilt.  Activities to...

A simple handout on old farming tools contains four framing tools: a scythe, a mortar and pestle, a digging stick, and a plow. There is an illustration of each tool which is also labelled.

Students investigate thinning trees and why they are important to the forest.  In this sustainable environment activity, students role-play as if they are trees in the forest and simulate the overcrowding and inability to move...

Fifth graders diagram and label the parts of a tree. For this lesson on how trees obtain food, 5th graders diagram and label the parts of a tree, and determine the diameter, height, and age of a tree.

Students compare and contrast characteristics of conifer and hardwood trees. After collecting samples of branches around the school, they classify the branch as hardwood or conifer. Groups of students identify given twigs. They go...

Fourth graders investigate the life cycle of a tree by researching the Internet.  In this plant life lesson, 4th graders observe The Life of a Tree website and discuss the life of a tree from sprout to death.  Students create a...

Students study the use of trees in art.  In this investigative lesson students create art using leaf rubbings and develop a classification method for trees. 

Learners increase their awareness of their natural environment. They engage in activities which emphasize the importance of conservation and create an interest in nature and conserving the natural environment.

Students use quadrats to investigate plants, animals, soils and weather. They answer questions as they fill in each quadrat. They share their information with the class.

High schoolers work in pairs to determine the age of a tree using two different methods in this experiment. They collect data about how trees change over time.

Students study conservation and how different communication styles used by different conservationists. In this conservation lesson plan students obtain information on a cartoon or a few quotes from a conservationist and are ask to...

Learners explore food chains in the forest. In this food chain lesson, students listen to the story The Tree in the Ancient Forest by Carol Reed-Jones. They create a food chain to match the story and then create a food chain of...

Fourth graders observe, plan, research, and create a field guide for the trees that are in their schoolyard. In this trees lesson plan, 4th graders make careful observations of what they see around their school and create a guide.

Students investigate woodworking and converting lengths to cubic measurements.  In this math conversions instructional activity, students examine the length of a piece of board, and its total area by using the formula for finding...

Students research renewable fuels. In this alternative energy lesson, students compile information and create a comparison chart on renewable resources. This lesson includes additional suggested readings, vocabulary, and a Biomass...

Students examine the variety of jobs that are related to working in the forest. Information on the different jobs is provided in this lesson plan for the teacher to share with the students. The students create a collage using magazines...

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...

Students study the types of jobs that people can do in the forest. They examine those who study the forest, harvest the trees, and plant trees to renew the forest.

Students estimate the height of trees on the school campus, and measure their circumferences. They develop a map of trees on the school site, conduct their measurements, and record the results on a data table.

Students observe the process of transpiration in leaves. They measure how much water a leaf gives off in a 24-hour period, calculate the volume, and answer discussion questions.