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Lesson 4: Stewardship Close to Home

Provided by: Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education |Published on: February 21, 2024

Lesson Plans Grades 6-8, 3-5

Synopsis

In this lesson, students commit to one action they can take to be a forest steward and learn about organizations in Wisconsin that help protect urban forests.
Students play a game about stewardship, work in a group to research local, state, and national organizations, present their findings and create an "I can be a forest steward" poster.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Social Studies, English Language Arts

Authors: LEAF Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education

Region: North America, USA - Midwest, United States, Wisconsin

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This lesson emphasizes the importance of teamwork, especially when caring for the environment.
Students will be encouraged to take action in their communities.

Prerequisites

This lesson is the fourth and final in the LEAF Urban Forest Lesson Guide 5th-8th Grade Unit. The prior lessons provide the necessary context. The first lesson introduces Urban Forests, the second discusses the benefits, and the third explores biodiversity and urban forest management.
The resource includes the lesson plan, background information, student worksheets, and links to related resources.
The Urban Tree Alliance link requires a username and password for access. Because of this, teachers should avoid assigning Slide 4 and break students into nine groups instead of 10 or provide a local group to research.

Differentiation & Implementation

The lesson is specific to Wisconsin, but teachers can modify it for other states by substituting the provided organizations with ones local to that state.
The resource includes links to two additional lesson plans that can extend learning.
Teachers can display the "I can be a Forest Steward" posters in the school to inspire other students to take action.
Students can do the research and presentation individually or in a small group.
On the LEAF website teachers can find additional Urban Forest Lessons.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

Related Teaching Resources

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