Global Education – Relationships with Nature

Teacher Name
Taylor Griepsma
General Information
Grade: 6th
Lesson Topic: ELA
Estimated Length: 50 minutes
Materials/Technology
Reading materials: Stewards of the Land and Rachel Carson, iPads for Padlet
Student Objectives
- Develop a deep understanding for human impact on nature
- Identify cause and effect relationships
Alignment with Standards
R.I.6.1, R.I.6.3, RI.6.6, R.I.6.7, SL6.1a

Assessment
Informal: Observation, participation, graphic organizers
Formal: Weekly/Unit assessments
Modifications
1. Thinking maps
2. Model expectations for work
3. Use real life connection for students
Vocabulary/Literacy Skills
No vocabulary for this lesson
Procedure
Classroom Management Details: verbal praise, points, blurt box
1. Opener 10 min
• Pose the Essential Question via Padlet: What roles can we play in the balance of nature?
• Pose Discussion Questions via Padlet: How do humans affect the earth? What would
happen if humans stopped protecting the earth? Why is it important to learn more about
how people are affecting the earth?
• Watch a short video of human effects on nature
2. Body 30 min
With teacher
• Read Stewards of the Land to students – stopping to bring up the discussion questions
frequently to engage conversation
o Change questions to be more specific to the story: How did Teddy Roosevelt and
John Muir effect the earth? What would have happened if they did not protect
these federal lands? Why is it important for us to be reading about their impact on
nature?
• After completely reading the story, use a cause and effect thinking map to determine
human impact on the world
• Refer back to the essential question and answer it based on the reading
With a partner/independently
• Read a new short story: Rachel Carson
• With your table group, discuss the discussion questions
• With your table group, create a cause and effect thinking map
• Share whole group
Close (5 min)
• Virtually explore a national park that was discussed in Stewards of the Land with table
group