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Elementary School
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Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Lessons for Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Recommended Grade Level Recommended Subject AreaLesson TitleLesson DescriptionLesson PlanExamples of student workRubricAdditional comments
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KindergartenScience & LiteracyEl Ciclo de la Nieve ~ "The Snow Cycle"This lesson focuses on engaing all students in understanding the snow cycle as part of the science curriculum and environmental studies. Students learn how snow is formed, including the role of evaporation. This provides foundational concepts for students to later develop an understanding of water resources.This will be supported with a book, a weather sequencing wheel and a coloring sheet.
Snow Cycles Lesson PlanStudent Work SamplesSnow Cycle Rubric
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Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5thScienceWildfire Prevention and Safety ProjectThis project includes learning about the fire ecology, how to prevent and prepare for wildfire, and forest ecology. This project culminated in students creating original PSA videos that will be shared in schools across the state to help educate others. Wildfire prevention lesson planPreparedness videosSingle Point Rubric
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2nd, 3rdScience, Outdoor Education, AgricultureWeather and Winter GardensOur early learners need to make connections between weather patterns and natural resources. Being able to watch the effects of weather on Winter Garden Plants will build a connection around the way weather and climate change affects growing plants all year round. We have planted seeds and they are now germinated, and we have seedling plants of pumpkin, purple snap peas, purple cabbage, culinary sage, yellow and purple carrots, and kale.

Classes keep a weather graph, and study weather events each month throughout the various states in our nation. It is a wonderful way to make the Social Studies curriculum come alive to see the direct affects of weather events, rain, clouds, wind, and make connections to our local garden.

We have a weather vane, and outside temperature thermometer station materials that need a location on the school site. Special Day Classes are involved in the care of the plants, and we are inviting the Science teacher and Principals to join us in welcoming a new season of growth.		Weather and gardens Lesson planExample 1, Example 2 Rubric for Garden Work
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2nd, 3rdSocial Studies/ScienceReduce, Reuse, RecycleStudents are taught how and why to reuse, reduce and recycle. Students demonstrated how they applied this concept at home. This lesson is only one part of a series of lessons.Reduce Reuse Lesson PlanExample 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4Project Rubric
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4thSocial StudiesEEI's "Cultivating California" Unit: Artifact Analysis and The Effects of Mission AgricultureKids first identified which artifacts/natural objects belonged to each of the two early cultures in California: the native culture and the Spanish missionaries. After this, we looked at the collection of Spanish objects and analyzed why they were each going to be so vital to the Spanish culture transplanted into California: Given the importance of each of these objects and what they represented, we know that the Spanish would value these. Then we looked at how these 6 objects would actually result in changing the California land and a change that was permanent.Cultivating California Lesson PlanStudent work samplesCultivating California Scoring Tool
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4thScienceBin Monitoring to Stop WasteStudents learn how to sort lunchtime trash correctly as well as why it matters. Students demonstrated their learning through a paper assessment and have a chance to personally take action by signing up as a lunchtime bin monitor for the weeks between Thanksgiving Break and the Winter Recess.Stop WasteGarbologist Field JournalStop Waste
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5thEarth Science- HydrosphereWhat is your water footprint?In this lesson students learn about their water footprint and the impact it can have in the future. They also learn about how much water it takes to grow certain foods and produce clothing items like sweaters and jeans. Learning about your water footprint can be eye opening and can help students understand the importance of water conservation.Water Footprint LessonStudent work samplesWater Footprint Google Form
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