Land Use

Students will explore the Native American views on our natural environment as well as contemporary views on the environment. They will also become familiar with the many uses of wood as a natural resource. This lesson is best suited for grades 7-12 and adheres to Pennsylvania State Science Standards.

Trees and other landscaping plants can be used to reduce the urban heat island effect and its resultant health and environmental problems. Students will discover and understand how trees and landscaping can be used to improve air quality and help reduce the urban heat island effect. This lesson is best suited for grades 5-6 and adheres to Utah State Science Standards.

This 10 module curriculum allows teachers to download (free of charge) social studies activities that are based upon archival materials and focus on environmental history. If Trees Could Talk helps students develop critical thinking skills in environmental issues within a social context. It helps produce better informed and more productive citizens. If Trees Could Talk is a comprehensive program that has been tested by teachers in multiple states. These lessons are best suited for grades 6-8 and adhere to National History and Social Studies Standards.

From Forest to Farm to Urban Forest asks students to examine what happens when the post-war urban development boom crowds out the forest. Students will examine the land use history of a local forest from 1930 on and investigate the variety of stakeholder opinions on the future of the forest. Students will also reflect on how science and technology have changed people's perception of the natural world. This lesson is best suited for grades 7-9 and adheres to National History and Social Studies Education Standards.

Firestorm is a role-playing simulation designed to give students authentic experience in the process of making important decisions about the environment-gathering and analyzing information; judging the reliability of information sources; understanding multiple, complex perspectives; and forming opinions and making recommendations based on solid knowledge of ecosystems and different approaches to environmental management. This lesson is best suited for grades 6-12 and adheres to National Science Education Standards.

Everyone in the United States lives within a day's drive of a National Forest, so chances are there is one not too far from you. Investigate the nearest forest with your students to help them appreciate the value of the National Forest and the challenges forest managers face. This lesson is best suited for grades 4-8 and adheres to National Science Education Standards.

These lab activities, developed by the US Forest Service, are supplemental activities for grades K-12 that can be used in any science or interdisciplinary class. The guide includes hands-on, data gathering laboratory exercises, as well as games, quizzes and a glossary of additional resources. The activities may be adapted to meet content standards in math and science.

This tree planting and education toolkit, designed by ERTHNXT, connects students to the wonders of trees and the outdoors. The kit includes an activity guide (for grade levels K-1, 2-3, or 4-5), seedling trees, a Trees for the 21st Century DVD, and a tree planting and stewardship guide.

In this very hands-on lesson, students will learn about dendrochronology (the study of tree rings to answer ecological questions about the recent past) and come up with conclusions as to what possible climatic conditions might affect tree growth in their region. Students determine the average age of the trees in their schoolyard, investigate any years of poor growth, and draw conclusions about the reasons for the years of poor growth. This lesson is best suited for grades 4-8.

ROOTS, or Restoring Our Own Trees Through Service, is an education initiative of Casey Trees that aims to provide teachers and students with methods to connect with their schoolyard environment. ROOTS utilizes familiar academic disciplines, such as math, reading, and science, to encourage teachers and students to use their backyard forest as their outdoor classroom. Activities are aligned with District of Columbia Public Schools standards.