Environmental Lessons
This day and age, it seems as though more and more children are disconnected from nature. However, our future leaders need to be equipped for tomorrow's challenges. As teachers, it is important that we prepare our children for the future that they will inherit. This section includes lessons on Environmental studies from learning about recycling to the state of our ozone layer. The Environmental lesson plan section will continue to grow as more teachers like you share their work with the Teacher.org community. The lessons you see here have been created by real teachers working in schools across the United States. We encourage you to contact us in order to share your inspiring lessons.
Kindergarten Environmental Lesson Plans
Bird Feeder Fun
Students will create an all natural bird feeder to hang near the school to feed birds during the various seasons.
Classroom Garden From Trash
Students will create several plants (a garden) from parts of a plant that are normally thrown away.
Keeping Warm in Winter
Students will understand why animals store fat for the winter or colder months and how this affects how temperature is felt. How does the environment and our protection of it help this?
Window Garden
Students will plan, experiment, and observe as seeds grow in a window garden. Students will explore why this is important to the sustainability of our environment.
1st Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Beach Day
This lesson will allow students to learn about the beach environment and experience working with sand.
Bird Feeder Fun
Students will create an all natural bird feeder to hang near the school to feed birds during the various seasons.
Classroom Garden From Trash
Students will create several plants (a garden) from parts of a plant that are normally thrown away.
Food Web Art Project
Students will discuss food webs and how animals interact together in an ocean biosphere and make a model of how animals get their energy from other animals and the sun.
Keeping Warm in Winter
Students will understand why animals store fat for the winter or colder months and how this affects how temperature is felt. How does the environment and our protection of it help this?
Window Garden
Students will plan, experiment, and observe as seeds grow in a window garden. Students will explore why this is important to the sustainability of our environment.
2nd Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Beach Day
This lesson will allow students to learn about the beach environment and experience working with sand.
Bird Feeder Fun
Students will create an all natural bird feeder to hang near the school to feed birds during the various seasons.
Classroom Garden From Trash
Students will create several plants (a garden) from parts of a plant that are normally thrown away.
Food Web Art Project
Students will discuss food webs and how animals interact together in an ocean biosphere and make a model of how animals get their energy from other animals and the sun.
Keeping Warm in Winter
Students will understand why animals store fat for the winter or colder months and how this affects how temperature is felt. How does the environment and our protection of it help this?
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (In That Order)
Students will watch a video about reduce, reuse, and recycle and then complete a gallery walk to discuss ideas of other ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Save the World
This lesson is intended to motivate students to become environmental superheroes.
We Must Recycle
Students will use creativity to use something considered trash to create something new.
Window Garden
Students will plan, experiment, and observe as seeds grow in a window garden. Students will explore why this is important to the sustainability of our environment.
3rd Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Angles in Nature
Students will take a walk outside with their protractor and measure the angles in nature. They will record the angles that they find in branches, trees, bushes, flowers, etc… and then determine the supplementary angle.
Beach Day
This lesson will allow students to learn about the beach environment and experience working with sand.
Camouflage and Environment
Students will make butterflies of various colors and then they will experience the advantage that butterflies that are the same color as their environment have against predators.
Classroom Garden From Trash
Students will create several plants (a garden) from parts of a plant that are normally thrown away.
Food Chain Tag
Students will learn a brief background about energy transfer between the sun, producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers. ½ of the students are primary consumers (plants) and ¼ of the students are primary consumers (rabbits) and ¼ of the students are secondary consumers (hawks).
Food Web Art Project
Students will discuss food webs and how animals interact together in an ocean biosphere and make a model of how animals get their energy from other animals and the sun.
Ozone Layer
Students will think about how people affect the environment and what they can do to help it and prevent further damage.
Rainfall Gauge
This lesson will allow students to learn about the rain amounts in their area as well as offer a hands-on science experiment that could lead to discussions about the water cycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (In That Order)
Students will watch a video about reduce, reuse, and recycle and then complete a gallery walk to discuss ideas of other ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Save the World
This lesson is intended to motivate students to become environmental superheroes.
We Must Recycle
Students will use creativity to use something considered trash to create something new.
Window Garden
Students will plan, experiment, and observe as seeds grow in a window garden. Students will explore why this is important to the sustainability of our environment.
4th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Angles in Nature
Students will take a walk outside with their protractor and measure the angles in nature. They will record the angles that they find in branches, trees, bushes, flowers, etc… and then determine the supplementary angle.
Beach Day
This lesson will allow students to learn about the beach environment and experience working with sand.
Biosphere
This lesson will allow students to create a self sustaining biosphere.
Camouflage and Environment
Students will make butterflies of various colors and then they will experience the advantage that butterflies that are the same color as their environment have against predators.
Classroom Garden From Trash
Students will create several plants (a garden) from parts of a plant that are normally thrown away.
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Food Chain Tag
Students will learn a brief background about energy transfer between the sun, producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers. ½ of the students are primary consumers (plants) and ¼ of the students are primary consumers (rabbits) and ¼ of the students are secondary consumers (hawks).
Ozone Layer
Students will think about how people affect the environment and what they can do to help it and prevent further damage.
Rainfall Gauge
This lesson will allow students to learn about the rain amounts in their area as well as offer a hands-on science experiment that could lead to discussions about the water cycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (In That Order)
Students will watch a video about reduce, reuse, and recycle and then complete a gallery walk to discuss ideas of other ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Save the World
This lesson is intended to motivate students to become environmental superheroes.
We Must Recycle
Students will use creativity to use something considered trash to create something new.
5th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Angles in Nature
Students will take a walk outside with their protractor and measure the angles in nature. They will record the angles that they find in branches, trees, bushes, flowers, etc… and then determine the supplementary angle.
Biosphere
This lesson will allow students to create a self sustaining biosphere.
Camouflage and Environment
Students will make butterflies of various colors and then they will experience the advantage that butterflies that are the same color as their environment have against predators.
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Fish or Famine?
Students will understand food scarcity and unequal distribution through a simple, yet concrete demonstration.
Help a Cause
Students will use recycled materials to create toys for a local shelter.
Ozone Layer
Students will think about how people affect the environment and what they can do to help it and prevent further damage.
Rainfall Gauge
This lesson will allow students to learn about the rain amounts in their area as well as offer a hands-on science experiment that could lead to discussions about the water cycle.
Save the World
This lesson is intended to motivate students to become environmental superheroes.
6th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Biosphere
This lesson will allow students to create a self sustaining biosphere.
Camouflage and Environment
Students will make butterflies of various colors and then they will experience the advantage that butterflies that are the same color as their environment have against predators.
Controversial Environmental Issues
Students will research and debate multiple topics in the topic of environmental health. The class will take sides on whether they are for or against the controversial issue.
Debate an Environmental Issue
Students will read an article about the sale of tropical fish. Students will analyze the information given and discuss their opinion based on facts from the article.
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Fish or Famine?
Students will understand food scarcity and unequal distribution through a simple, yet concrete demonstration.
Help a Cause
Students will use recycled materials to create toys for a local shelter.
Ozone Layer
Students will think about how people affect the environment and what they can do to help it and prevent further damage.
7th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Biosphere
This lesson will allow students to create a self sustaining biosphere.
Controversial Environmental Issues
Students will research and debate multiple topics in the topic of environmental health. The class will take sides on whether they are for or against the controversial issue.
Debate an Environmental Issue
Students will read an article about the sale of tropical fish. Students will analyze the information given and discuss their opinion based on facts from the article.
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Fish or Famine?
Students will understand food scarcity and unequal distribution through a simple, yet concrete demonstration.
Help a Cause
Students will use recycled materials to create toys for a local shelter.
8th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Biosphere
This lesson will allow students to create a self sustaining biosphere.
Controversial Environmental Issues
Students will research and debate multiple topics in the topic of environmental health. The class will take sides on whether they are for or against the controversial issue.
Debate an Environmental Issue
Students will read an article about the sale of tropical fish. Students will analyze the information given and discuss their opinion based on facts from the article.
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Help a Cause
Students will use recycled materials to create toys for a local shelter.
Water, Water, Everywhere
The students will identify products that need water to be manufactured, and the amount needed for each product.
Words of the Environment
On day one, the students will list as many words as possible related to environmental science and on day two connect the meanings of each to real life situations based on research.
9th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Cost of Recycling
Each pair of students will trace 1 single recyclable product, from manufacturer to recycling center, examining costs of making the product and recycling it, answering the question: Is recycling worth it?
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Menus to Save the Earth
Students will understand the impact that packaging and out of season items have on the environment. Students will create a week long menu using only basic foods and in-season items available in the area.
Oil and Grease
The students will research oil and grease recycling.
Saving the World: A Gift at a Time
Students will find, list, and explain how to limit consumption of new goods by designing an alternative registry for an event (wedding, birthday, anniversary)
Water, Water, Everywhere
The students will identify products that need water to be manufactured, and the amount needed for each product.
Words of the Environment
On day one, the students will list as many words as possible related to environmental science and on day two connect the meanings of each to real life situations based on research.
10th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Cost of Recycling
Each pair of students will trace 1 single recyclable product, from manufacturer to recycling center, examining costs of making the product and recycling it, answering the question: Is recycling worth it?
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Environmental Impact Studies
Pairs of students will do an environmental impact study for local development near the school or another area.
Menus to Save the Earth
Students will understand the impact that packaging and out of season items have on the environment. Students will create a week long menu using only basic foods and in-season items available in the area.
Ocean Pollution
Students will research ocean pollution and compare/contrast current data, hypotheses and other information and check for accuracy.
Oil and Grease
The students will research oil and grease recycling.
Saving the World: A Gift at a Time
Students will find, list, and explain how to limit consumption of new goods by designing an alternative registry for an event (wedding, birthday, anniversary)
Two Sides of an Issue
A controversial issue, such as global warming, will be researched using the vast resources of the Internet. The students will research both sides, either supporting or disputing the facts, opinions, and other information.
Water, Water, Everywhere
The students will identify products that need water to be manufactured, and the amount needed for each product.
Words of the Environment
On day one, the students will list as many words as possible related to environmental science and on day two connect the meanings of each to real life situations based on research.
11th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Better Alternatives
The students, with a partner, will research the negative environmental impact of every day products and identify safer alternatives.
Cost of Recycling
Each pair of students will trace 1 single recyclable product, from manufacturer to recycling center, examining costs of making the product and recycling it, answering the question: Is recycling worth it?
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Eco-Friendly Homes
The student will work in groups of three or four to design an eco-friendly home.
Environmental Impact Studies
Pairs of students will do an environmental impact study for local development near the school or another area.
Menus to Save the Earth
Students will understand the impact that packaging and out of season items have on the environment. Students will create a week long menu using only basic foods and in-season items available in the area.
Ocean Pollution
Students will research ocean pollution and compare/contrast current data, hypotheses and other information and check for accuracy.
Oil and Grease
The students will research oil and grease recycling.
Saving the World: A Gift at a Time
Students will find, list, and explain how to limit consumption of new goods by designing an alternative registry for an event (wedding, birthday, anniversary)
Two Sides of an Issue
A controversial issue, such as global warming, will be researched using the vast resources of the Internet. The students will research both sides, either supporting or disputing the facts, opinions, and other information.
12th Grade Environmental Lesson Plans
Better Alternatives
The students, with a partner, will research the negative environmental impact of every day products and identify safer alternatives.
Earth Window Art
This lesson will allow students to create a replica of the Earth that can also be used as decoration.
Eco-Friendly Homes
The student will work in groups of three or four to design an eco-friendly home.
Environmental Impact Studies
Pairs of students will do an environmental impact study for local development near the school or another area.
Menus to Save the Earth
Students will understand the impact that packaging and out of season items have on the environment. Students will create a week long menu using only basic foods and in-season items available in the area.
Ocean Pollution
Students will research ocean pollution and compare/contrast current data, hypotheses and other information and check for accuracy.
Saving the World: A Gift at a Time
Students will find, list, and explain how to limit consumption of new goods by designing an alternative registry for an event (wedding, birthday, anniversary)
Two Sides of an Issue
A controversial issue, such as global warming, will be researched using the vast resources of the Internet. The students will research both sides, either supporting or disputing the facts, opinions, and other information.