Environmental Lesson Plans

Environmental lessons by grade level.

Topics:

Air Quality Climate Change Nature Recycling

Renewable Energy Water Wildlife

Picture Books for K-2

Air Quality Lessons

Lesson name PreK-K 1-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Anti-Idling Campaigns X X    
Why is Coco Orange? X X    
Why is Coco Red? X X    
What’s Up There Besides Air? X  
Field Testing for Ozone X X
Student Air Monitoring Project    X  X
Whirling Swirling Air Pollution      X

More lessons from NJ Air Flag Program

 

Climate Change Lessons

Also see the Climate Change Education page for lessons correlated to the NJ Climate Change Standards

Lesson name PreK-K 1-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
NJ Dept. of Education’s
Climate Change Lessons		 X
(5 lessons)		 X
(5 lessons)		 X
(4 lessons)		 X
(8 lessons)		 X
(11 lessons)
Natural Resources Sorting Activity X X
SubjectToClimate (11 lessons) X X
Climate Literacy and Energy
Awareness Network (13 lessons)		 X X
Globe Program Climate Module X X X
SubjectToClimate (12 lessons) X
Climate Literacy and Energy
Awareness Network (25 lessons)		 X
SubjectToClimate (12 lessons) X
Climate Literacy and Energy
Awareness Network (87 lessons)		 X
Reforestation: Impact on Climate X
NOAA Sea Level Rise Learning Module  X X
NOAA Data in the Classroom  X X
NOAA Discover Your Changing World  X
EPA Lesson Plans for Educators
(7 lessons)		 X X
Chicago Botanic Garden
Climate Change in My Backyard 		 X
DEP Building Ecological Solutions
for Coastal Community Hazards 		 X X
SubjectToClimate (15 lessons) X
National Center for Science Education
(5 lessons)		 X
Climate Literacy and Energy
Awareness Network (148 lessons)		 X
PBS Global Climate Change
The Effects of Global Warming 		 X
Understanding Climate Change and the
Role of Nature in Creating Resilience 		X

Nature Lessons

Lesson name PreK-K 1-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Let’s Learn About Seeds X X    
Smokey Bear X X  X  
Tree Detective X X  
Pinelands X X
Appreciating the Power of Plants    X  
Discover the Forest   X X  
How Dirt Works     X X
Where’s the Beach?        X
Garden Lesson: Soil        X
Seeing the Wood for the Trees        X
Fighting Fire with Fire        X

Recycling Lessons

Lesson name PreK-K 1-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Watershed Model X X X X X
Litter Scavenger Hunt X    
The Plastic Connection X  
Start Recycling Today X X
Fast Food Packaging X X
Hazards of Household Waste X X  
Throw It Away – Then What? X X
Wrap It Up! X
Where Can Trash Go? X
History of Waste X
Waste Audit Upgrade X X
Wrap It Upward! X X
How Did It Get There? X
What’s My Responsibility?   X

Renewable Energy Lessons

Lesson name PreK-K 1-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Make your own windmill X X    
Solar oven smores X    
Cooking with the Sun X X  
Renewable Energy Activities: Choices for Tomorrow X
Exploring alternative energy sources     X

Water Lessons

Lesson name PreK-K 1-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Water Environment Federation X
(3 lessons)		 X
(3 lessons)		 X
(4 lessons)		 X
(3 lessons)		 X
(14 lessons)
Every Drop Counts X X X X  
Nonpoint source pollution and shellfish X
(20 lessons)		 X
(23 lessons)		 X
(17 lessons)		  
Watersense X
(2 lessons)
Wonderful Wetlands   X    
Garden Lesson: Water     X  
Dreadful Drought     X X  
Water Water Everywhere     X X
Nonpoint Source Pollution        X
Finding Your Flow       X

Wildlife Lessons

Lesson name PreK-K 1-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Classify animals X X X    
Butterfly Lifecycle X X X    
Endangered species X X X X  
Raptors X X X X X
Peregrine   X X    
Box turtle interview     X X  
Who can live here?         X
Massive migrations         X
Insects and science fiction, fantasy, and fact         X

More from NJ DEP Fish and Wildlife