Lesson Plan Topics
Click on the links below to navigate to a topic of interest:
Soil, Watersheds, & Water Quality
Great Lakes & Ecosystem Connections
Invasive Species & Human Impacts
Stewardship, Litter, & Recycling
Water Cycle & Hydrology
These lessons explore the movement of water on Earth — in the atmosphere, on land, and underground. Students see how water connects ecosystems and human activity.
- Project WET: The Incredible Journey (Grades 3-7) – In this interactive lesson, students follow a water droplet through the stages of the water cycle.
- Groundwater Flow Demonstration (Grades 4–9) – Hands-on activity showing how groundwater moves through soil and rock.
- Deep Subjects – Water Wells and Groundwater (Grades 3–6) – Teaches how wells work and why groundwater is an important water source.
- Is This the Way to the Drainpipe? (Grades K–6) – An activity and story that teaches how our drinking water is cleaned through septic systems or wastewater treatment.
- How People Get Their Water (Grades K–6) – Teaches about reservoirs as sources of drinking water fed by precipitation and surface water as part of the water cycle.
- Subject to Climate: Water Cycle Lesson- Climate Change (Grades 6–8) – Examines how a changing climate disrupts the natural water cycle.
- Subject to Climate: Water Cycle Lesson- Deforestation (Grades 6–8) – Shows how removing forests alters evaporation, precipitation, and watershed health.
- Subject to Climate: Water Cycle Lesson- Extreme Weather (Grades 6–8) – Connects severe weather events like storms and droughts to changes in the water cycle.
- Subject to Climate: Water Cycle Lesson- Transpiration (Grades 6–8) – Demonstrates how plants release water into the atmosphere and its role in the water cycle.
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Water Use & Conservation
Focuses on how humans use water, the challenges of limited supply, and strategies for conservation.
- Water Conservation and Use (Grades 5-8) – Students learn about water consumption and ways to reduce waste.
- Water Use and Flow Rate Calculation (Grade 7) – Math-based lesson calculating household or classroom water use.
- MI Ag Classroom: Learn, Protect, and Promote Water (Grades 6-8) – Agricultural-themed activities emphasizing stewardship and sustainable water use.
- MI Ag Classroom: Journey 2050 Lesson 3- Water (Grades 6–8) – Examines the global water footprint and sustainable farming practices.
- Subject to Climate: Importance of Conserving Water (Grades 6–8) – Highlights the need for water conservation and strategies for reducing use.
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Soil, Watersheds, & Water Quality
Lessons that highlight the role of soil and watersheds in filtering and protecting water, while showing how human activity impacts quality.
- Layer Away Importance of Soil (Grade 6) – Demonstrates how soil layers protect and filter water.
- Enviroscape Watershed Demonstration (Grades 2–8) – A hands-on model showing how pollution moves through a watershed.
- 4-H Septic Curriculum for Youth – Teaches septic system care and its importance in protecting water quality.
- Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (Grades 6–8) – Students investigate aquatic insects as indicators of stream health.
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Great Lakes & Ecosystem Connections
Engages students with the unique ecosystems of the Great Lakes, connecting science, history, and stewardship.
- Great Lakes in My World (Grades K–8) – Comprehensive curriculum covering Great Lakes science, history, culture, and stewardship.
- It’s Your Niche (Grades 2–8) – Explores habitats, food webs, and ecological roles of Great Lakes species.
- The Great Swim (Grades 3–12) – A game where students act out the life cycle of Great Lakes fish and face survival challenges.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Lake Connection (Grades K–8) – Students explore their connections to the Great Lakes by examining their feelings and creating abstract art.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Sound Picture (Grades 3–6) – Uses sounds and sensory activities to help students understand the relationship between people and the Great Lakes.
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Invasive Species & Human Impacts
Highlights the threats of invasive species, pollution, and the overuse of natural resources while encouraging critical thinking about human responsibility.
- DNR: Five Lesson Plans for Aquatic Invasive Species (Grades 2–12) – Covers biology, impacts, and prevention of aquatic invasive species.
- Social Carrying Capacity – AIS Edition (Grades 6–12) – Explores how human interests may impact the use of natural resources and affect ecosystems.
- Least Wanted – The Invasive Sea Lamprey (Grades 6–12) – A focused case study of invasive sea lamprey impacts and management.
- Water Pollution Activity for Kids – A demonstration of how pollutants move through water systems.
- Subject to Climate: Social Studies Lesson- Environmental Restoration (Grades 8–12) – Students analyze case studies of environmental damage and restoration efforts.
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Stewardship, Litter, & Recycling
Encourages responsibility through hands-on projects and activities that reduce waste and protect local waters.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Adopt-a-Beach (Grades 4–8) – Students collect data and clean beaches to learn how litter impacts the Great Lakes.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Beach Mysteries (Grades 4–8) – Encourages problem-solving as students learn about bacteria as an indicator of beach water quality.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Garbage Investigation (Grades 4–8) – Students study types of litter collected during beach cleanups to understand waste sources.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Litter Tag (Grades 3–6) – A game-based lesson showing the harmful effects litter has on Great Lakes organisms.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Taking Action (Grades 4–8) – Empowers students to create stewardship projects that protect their local waters.
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Virtual Learning Resources
Michigan Sea Grant’s H.O.M.E.S at Home
Other Resources
The Great Lakes Basin Map (poster) for watershed education in the classroom