The Arts

The natural environment has long inspired artists and the peoples of the world. Use nature to help your students find their artistic voice in visual arts, drama and music. Use the search function to the right to explore other ways to incorporate environmental themes into art lessons.

William Finley, Wildlife Photography Pioneer

The historian Douglas Brinkley credits William Finley as being one amongst a group of photographers that helped popularize wildlife photography. Growing up in Northern California and Oregon, Finley spent his time roaming the wilderness and developed an interest in birding. He would often collect specimens of rare bird species and eggs.

People and Endangered Species

This lesson provides students with an overview of some endangered species and the ways that human activities contribute to species endangerment. This lesson is designed to provide students with a sense of optimism and to help them figure out ways they can help protect species. Students will be asked to devise their own species protection plans. This lesson is best suited for grades 3-5 and adheres to National Geography Education Standards.

Bird Up

Students are introduced to using websites as resources for science content information. Specifically, in cooperative groups or pairs, students find information on a bird of their choice by accessing online resources such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, research databases, and bird association and organization websites. They select, record, and organize this information into a bird profile and then present it to their peers.

Leapin' Lizards

Students compare and contrast reptiles and amphibians. As a class, students discuss the yellow-spotted lizard mentioned in the novel Holes. Using internet resources, students research facts about reptiles and amphibians and document their findings on a provided worksheet. This lesson is best suited for grades 5-8 and adheres to National Technology, Science and Language Arts Standards.

Wanted: A Breath of Fresh Air

In this lesson, students examine the causes and effects of air pollution, as well as ways in which various industries and government organizations are aiming to control it. Students first use the internet to answer a series of questions about air pollution and to compile a list of related websites, and then use these websites to create informative posters about air pollution topics.

Green Roof Design

In this lesson for grades 9-12, students work in teams to design a heat- and water-conserving “green roof” of plant material for an urban apartment building. They address economic and community considerations of green roof design.

Students will:
Study design decisions that affect energy transfer between a building and the outside environment.
Identify and consider decisions involved in improving a building’s energy profile.
Analyze economic and community aspects of green roof options.

Oil Spill Solutions Lesson Plan

This lesson focuses on how engineers use various techniques to provide solutions to oil spills or other threats to natural water resources. Students work in teams to analyze an "oil spill" in the classroom, then design, build and test a system to first contain and then remove the oil from the water.

I-STEM Resource Network

The I-STEM Resource Network supports K-12 teachers and leaders working to implement high academic standards towards STEM literacy for all students. Their resources include lesson plans, curriculum units, professional development opportunities and more.

Resources pertaining to environmental education:

-Do You See What I See? Plant Identification

-Avalanche!

-Creating a 3D Model and Corresponding Topographic Map

Green Reading List

One of the best ways to teach about the environment is to incorporate environmentally-themed fiction or non-fiction books into classroom lessons and activities. Check out the list below to find a diverse list of "Green Reads" for your students.

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