6 Ways to Celebrate National Pollinator Week
From planting native flowers, learning about plant-animal mutualism, and even building bat houses, there are so many hands-on ways for students of all ages to help promote and protect our pollinators.
Resources for Lessons
Word After Word After Word
This inspirational short novel for young readers explores the power of writing. Use Word After Word After Word to explore the question, “Why do you write?” and practice your craft.
Green Jobs and Careers in Conservation
There are many “green” job opportunities in traditional fields such as forestry, wildlife conservation, fisheries management, soil and water conservation, and environmental law. There are also career opportunities with nonprofits and for-profit businesses that can help the Earth.
Using PLT in the New Normal
Did you know that you can adapt many of PLT’s activities to present virtually or assign to your students for independent exploration? “We All Need Trees” is a great example.
Rain Barrels and Lessons About Water
Bookmark these ideas for students to conduct investigations and learn about water conservation, plus tips for how to build your own rain barrel. This story highlights students in Kansas who calculated the amount of water their school uses, and the dollar savings in water bills after they installed rain barrels.
STEM: Sounds Around
Have students discover the birds living in their backyard or on their block by using their sense of hearing with these STEM activities. How many unique bird species can you identify using only their song?
Islandborn
This book is a celebration of diversity, reminding young readers, 5-8 years, that we are living links between the past and the present. What can knowing about your history teach you about your future? Read Islandborn to find out!
7th-9th Grade Activities for Budding Environmental Scientists
As a 7th grade Environmental Science teacher, I often turn to PLT for ideas and inspiration. So when my state adopted new environmental science content and guidelines earlier this year, I took a deep breath and opened my trustworthy PreK-8 Guide for inspiration. It’s helped me through previous curriculum and standards changes in years past, and not surprisingly, I found more than 15 engaging activities to strongly correlate with the new state guidelines.
STEM: Nature’s Recyclers
Decomposers live off dead material and recycle nutrients into the soil for reuse by plants. These STEM activities teach students about producers, consumers, and decomposers.
A Day in a Forested Wetland
Introduce biodiversity to young readers through this nonfiction picture book that explores a typical day for animals that call a soggy forest home.