Social Studies

Transportation, land use, natural resources and trade are natural ways to tie environmental topics to social studies lessons. Encourage students to: analyze environmental legislation, use Geographic Information System resources (such as Google Earth) to look at environments globally, and explore the impacts of climate, environment and natural resources on historical events. Use the search function to the right to explore other ways to incorporate environmental themes into social studies lessons.

Center for Ecoliteracy

The Center for Ecoliteracy (CEL) provides information, inspiration and support to educators and other members of the educational community who are helping young people gain the knowledge, skills and values essential to sustainable living. Through CEL’s initiative, Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability, the organization offers both a theoretical framework and practical resources for combining hands-on learning in the natural world with curricular innovation in education.

Who Will Take the Heat?

Students will learn about the environmental, economic and political issues surrounding global climate change policy and will specifically compare the emissions of the U.S. and China, the two largest producers of emissions that cause global warming.

Koshland Science Museum Global Warming Webquest

Using this Internet-based webquest activity, students will learn about climate change, energy use and global warming, including how scientists, business leaders and policy makers study and respond to climate change and how society and the environment will be impacted by global warming.

CE Service-learning Tip Sheet

This service-learning tip sheet developed by Classroom Earth is meant to give you the fundamentals about service-learning, explain how they are different from similar concepts such as volunteerism, community service and project-based learning. In it, you will also find some suggestions of how to find partners and identify problems.

Investigating a Local Watershed

This Unit Outline allows students to explore a local watershed, where they learn basic ecological concepts, conduct scientific inquiries, understand the interdependence between science, technology, and mathematics in an urban community, develop competency in the use of technology equipment, and develop cooperative working relations. By using local resources, students will gain a better understanding and sense of ownership about the local environment and community. The Unit is designed for use in Life Science courses, but could link with other disciplines.

Effects of Urban Growth

In the last decade, many areas in the Sunbelt region of the United States have experienced tremendous population growth. The growth can be a result of enticing media campaigns or lifestyle and employment opportunities that a city offers. Moving to these "boom towns" can be very beneficial for families. However, there are also drawbacks to rapid population increases within communities. This lesson focuses on the pros and cons of rapid growth and how community changes impact the residents and environments of these growing areas.

Genetically Modified Foods: From the Lab to the Dinner Table

This lesson is designed to expose students to the various issues surrounding GMO foods and to help them understand the complexity of the issues surrounding the biotechnology movement. Students can read two PBS NewsHour pieces, both of which involve a variety of perspectives surrounding the GMO issue. Additionally, students will try to identify GMO foods that they have consumed and discuss the "to label or not to label" debate.

Digital Wish Grants

Are you a teacher with an amazing lesson plan? Does your school lack the technology it needs to best teach and inspire your students? Then apply for the Digital Wish Grants! Submit your awesome lesson plan and get the chance to win over 50 technology grants.

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