What Happens to Trees that Fall in the Forest
In dying, a tree plays an essential role in sustaining life around it. Here are some classroom activities to explore decomposition and how a fallen tree provides for other life in the forest.
Elementary (3-5)
New PLT Activity Collections: Biodiversity Blitz for Grade 3-5
Biodiversity Blitz is the third in a new series of theme-based PLT activity collections. It features three PLT activities for educators of students in grades 3-5 that invite learners to investigate the variety of species in an ecosystem, and how this variety – or biodiversity – helps sustain life on Earth.
Virtual Makeover: The Closer You Look
Colorado PLT Coordinator Danielle Ardrey shares how to adapt the PLT Activity “The Closer You Look” for remote instruction. Students will go outdoors or view pictures to take a closer look at trees and their parts.
Virtual Makeover: Sounds Around
Learn how to adapt our “Sounds Around” student activity for remote instruction, allowing students to tune in to the everyday sounds of nature from home or a nearby outdoor space.
Spider-Inspired Classroom Activities for Halloween
Are you ready to add some spooky science to your fall lesson plans? We have gathered a whole cauldron of creepy, crawly spider science activities to enhance your lessons. Try these 11 Halloween activities inspired by our eight-legged friends. Examine spider webs outdoors, build a spider habitat, consider how a spider would adapt to life in space, and more!
Virtual Makeover: Looking at Leaves
Many PLT activities are easily adapted to virtual learning, as we illustrate in this new monthly feature in the Branch. Check out this adaptation for Looking at Leaves from Colorado’s PLT Coordinator
Growing Plants in Small Spaces With Students of All Ages
You don’t need a schoolyard or backyard garden to observe plants grow—you can do it inside your classroom or kitchen. Growing plants indoors, even in small spaces, is much easier than you may think.
Activities to Do With Children Outdoors
Spending time outside is one way we can boost our resiliency while quarantining at home to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Bookmark a few of these free PLT family activities to try in your backyard, at a local park or trail, or another nearby safe space outdoors.
STEM: Pollution Search
When you hear the word “pollution,” what type of pollution do you think about? Knowing the characteristics of each of the five types of pollution, and what you can do to reduce the amounts, can make a positive difference for the environment.
Composting Experiments, Tips, and Resources for the Classroom (and at Home)
Composting can take place in your classroom, kitchen, backyard, neighborhood, or community. Learning about compost can be a hands-on activity, and you don’t need much space to get started.