The new “Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators,” is now available and is an updated and expanded version of the popular, award-winning “Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit for Teachers and Interpreters” that came out in 2001.

The kit is designed for classroom teachers and informal educators in parks, refuges, forest lands, nature centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, etc., and is aimed at the middle school level. The National Park Service partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and six other federal agencies, to develop this kit. The kit will aid educators in teaching how climate change is affecting our nation’s wildlife and public lands, and how everyone can become “climate stewards.”

The kit contains:

• A 12 minute video introducing climate change issues as they affect wildlife and wildlands
• An overview of the science of climate change
• Case studies on 11 ecoregions highlighting regional impacts to habitats and wildlife, and information on what people can do to help
• A glossary of climate change terms to build vocabulary
• Classroom activities keyed to national science standards, developed by participants in the 2008 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program
• Additional hands-on activities and formal and informal educator resources

Climate Change Wildlife and Wildlands Teachers Guide.A description of the Toolkit and how it can be used by both formal and informal educators

TEACHING WITH HISTORIC PLACES

Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) is a program of the National Park Service's Heritage Education Services office. Over the years TwHP has developed a variety of products and services. These include a series of lesson plans; guidance on using places to teach; information encouraging educators, historians, preservationists, site interpreters, and others to work together effectively; and professional development publications and training courses. Initially created in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, TwHP grew out of a desire by both organizations to expand educational outreach. Coinciding with a widespread review of American education in the late 1980s, this interest led to consultation with a wide range of educators, resulting in the launch of the Teaching with Historic Places program in 1991.

For more information click here

Click for Lesson Plans

TEACHING WITH MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

Teaching With Museum Collections-provides lesson plans for educators to use National Park Service collections in student-centered activities.

Teaching with Museum Collections object-based learning emphasizes the links between the “real things;” - National Park Service collections and America’s history. Collections connect students to their past, rich and varied cultures, momentous events, inspiring ideas, and the places where the nation’s history happened.

National Park Service collections include over 100 million cultural objects, natural history specimens, documents, and photographs. They are located at over 320 national park sites in the very places where the objects were made, used or collected. Teaching with Museum Collections lesson plans highlight park interpretive themes, increase understanding of park resources, and li nk to national education standards.

Never Lose Sight of Freedom-This website of Never Lose Sight of Freedom resource material for educators consists of seven thought-provoking lesson plans on the cause, course, and impact of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March.

These interactive instructional units teach the values of hope, perseverance, democracy, citizenship, law and justice, courage, and economic empowerment that are so intricately woven into the tapestry of U.S. history.

Federal Resources for Education Excellence

http://www.free.ed.gov/

National Park Service Resources for Teachers

LearnNPS
National park curriculum-based learning tools, teaching resources, online activities, and junior ranger programs for all teachers and learners

Links to Learning
National Park Service online resources for students and teachers

Research Learning Centers
National Park Service centers for linking science and education

Teaching with Historic Places
Using properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places to enliven history, social studies, geography, civics, and other subjects. This site includes Life on an Island: Early Settlers off the Rock-Bound Coast of Maine, a lesson plan about island living.

Views of the National Parks
Virtual experiences, exhibits, and knowledge centers relating to NPS resources

WebRangers
Designed for learners of all ages who want to discover the wonders of the National Park Service

Other Resources From NPS Sites

http://www.windowsintowonderland.org/

http://www.nature.nps.gov/learningcenters/educators/edu_resources_teach_jul.pdf

Grand Canyon's Travelin' Trunk Program

Bring Grand Canyon to your classroom! The Grand Canyon Field Institute offers Travelin' Trunks that are available for use in your classroom. Each trunk is loaded with lesson plans related to Grand Canyon, as well as many of the materials needed for the lessons. Topics include geology, ecology and human history. They can be sent to your school, regardless of what state you live in, for a minimal charge that covers shipping. For detailed information and to reserve a trunk, click on the following website address:

www.grandcanyon.org/fieldinstitute/educators_trunk.asp