National Geographic offers "Why Animals Migrate," a lesson plan on animal migration patterns for Grades 5-8. The lesson plan incorporates video clips from the National Geographic series Great Migrations. The lesson provides an overview of species that migrate, then takes a close look at migration by Monarch butterflies, Wildebeest, Sperm Whales, and Red Crabs. Students compare and contrast the migratory habits of two species, then present their findings to their peers.


Caito, Jen. "Why Animals Migrate." National Geographic Education. National Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 6 April 2016.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation offers lesson plans for Grades 6-8 that address the following themes in environmental education:

• Animals — These lesson plans encompass amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mammals and reptiles with instruction across multiple disciplines.
• Nature Study — These lessons incorporate multiple subject disciplines as an aid in exploring, discovering, and observing nature.
• Recycling and Conservation — These lessons look at the sustainable use of natural resources.
• Soils — These lesson plans focus on the composition, properties and conservation of this important resource.
• Water — These lessons examine wildlife within aquatic ecosystems.

"Grades 6 - 12 Lesson Plans." New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, n.d. 6 April 2016.

National Geographic Education has produced Earth's Freshwater: A Guide for Teaching Freshwater in Grades 3 to 8. Chapter topics include:

1. Biodiversity in Freshwater
2. Water Cycle and Water Reservoirs
3. Changing Natural Flows of Water
4. Water Quality in Freshwater Systems
5. Water Concerns for Wildlife and Humans
6. Water and Human Communities
7. Water Solutions for Our Future

The full teacher guide is available for download. Videos accompany each chapter, also.

Mohan, Lindsey, et al. "Earth's Freshwater: A Guide for Teaching Freshwater in Grades 3 to 8." National Geographic Education. National Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 6 April 2016.

The Center for Ecoliteracy presents the Oak Woodland Learning Activity: Envisioning Relationships in an Ecosystem for grade 6 and up.

The lesson helps students to visualize and understand the complex relationships and processes of an ecosystem. "Students learn to look at an ecosystem — the oak woodland — as a system and, by doing so, become aware of relationships among living things, the processes and patterns that drive survival and evolution, and the importance of abiotic characteristics in sustaining life."

Downloadable materials include a mural by artist Ane Carla Rovetta in 15 panels, 30 information cards for use by students, and directions and discussion suggestions for instructors.

Center for Ecoliteracy. "Oak Woodland Learning Activities." Center for Ecoliteracy. Center for Ecoliteracy, 16 May 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.

Clausen, Jess, and Pam Miller. Connecting with Nature: An Educational Guide for Grades Seven and Eight. Vancouver, BC: David Suzuki Foundation, 2014. PDF.