Lesson Plan Topics
Click on the links below to navigate to a topic of interest:
Invasive Species & Human Impacts
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.
- The Water Cycle: Connecting Earth Systems (Grades 9-12) – Explores the movement of water through the four major Earth systems as it is driven by the energy sources that govern the water cycle.
- Groundwater Flow Model (Grades 4–9) – A hands-on model demonstrating the movement of water through the cycle.
- Building a Model Aquifer (Grades 9–12) – Students construct a working model to see how aquifers store and release water.
- Septic System Curriculum – Teaches how septic systems function and their role in protecting groundwater quality.
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Great Lakes & Watersheds
Focuses on the ecosystems of the Great Lakes and watershed connections.
- Great Lakes in My World (Grades 9–12) – A curriculum exploring Great Lakes ecology, history, and stewardship.
- Watershed Detectives (Grades 6–12) – Students investigate how land use and human actions affect watersheds.
- The Great Swim (Grades 3–12) – A game where students act out the life cycle of Great Lakes fish and face survival challenges.
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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.
- Least Wanted – The Invasive Sea Lamprey (Grades 6–12) – A focused case study of invasive sea lamprey impacts and management.
- Social Carrying Capacity – AIS Edition (Grades 6–12) – Explores how human interests may impact the use of natural resources and affect ecosystems.
- Five Lesson Plans for Aquatic Invasive Species (Grades 2–12) – A set of lessons on invasive species biology, impacts, and prevention.
- Subject to Climate: Biology Lesson- Plastics and Ocean Life (Grades 9–12) – Students explore how plastic pollution harms marine organisms and food webs.
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Human Use of Land & Water
Lessons on how humans manage land and water, and the social implications of resource use.
- MI Ag Classroom: Agricultural Land Use (Grades 9–12) – Connects farming practices with water use, soil health, and sustainability.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Adopt-a-Habitat (Grades 9–12) – A stewardship project encouraging students to monitor and care for a local habitat.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Habitat Analysis (Grades 9–12) – Students assess habitat quality of a coastal ecosystem and prepare a presentation on ways to improve habitat health.
- Subject to Climate: Social Studies Lesson- Rivers and Water Rights (Grades 9–12) – Explores the cultural, legal, and political aspects of who controls water.
- 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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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