Lessons in a backpack

What are lessons in a backpack?

The Lessons in a Backpack are fantastic tools designed to engage children in making personal connections with nature and in thinking critically about human impact. There are resources and extension activities in each lesson, so teachers can continue with key messages.

Below you will find all the current lessons. Each one reflects the unique natural environment of the Long Point Biosphere Region. 

The lessons are tailored for students grades 1 to 8 to help them connect with our local environment. Teachers can download the lessons and bring nature education to their classrooms! Some lessons also have manipulative material available through the local school board.

This project is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the government of Ontario and the help of the Georgian Bay Biosphere

Supporting Your School

As a community partner to local schools and other education organizations, we want to continue to offer quality learning resources and adapt to your needs. Please connect with us to find out more about other programs and opportunities. We can provide Biosphere educators as a school resource to deliver outdoor education to enhance learning.  E-mail us!

GRADE ONE LESSON PLANS

Monarch Butterfly

Designed for use with Grades 1-3 over the course of several weeks. Activities can also be used independently.

Birds in the School Yard

Simple schoolyard observations provide
opportunities for the students to discover common species,
habitat and food sources.

GRADE TWO LESSON PLANS

Our Environmental Footprint

Everyday our actions have an effect on the Earth. We call this effect an Environmental Footprint. Students consider how their behaviours and habits impact the environment.

Monarch Butterfly

Designed for use with Grades 1-3 over the course of several weeks. Activities can also be used independently.

Animal Tracks

Students will investigate animals through their tracks! Includes the basics of track identification, making animal tracks using molds, how animals move, and more.

Birds in the School Yard

Simple schoolyard observations provide
opportunities for the students to discover common species,
habitat and food sources.

GRADE THREE LESSON PLANS

Healthy Soil

Students explore soil and learn how it is a resource plants, animals and humans depend on. Students discuss how soil can be impacted by human activities and how we can protect it.

Monarch Butterfly

Designed for use with Grades 1-3 over the course of several weeks. Activities can also be used independently.

The Art of Nature

Students will collect natural materials during a nature hike. These materials will be integrated into individual and collective pieces of art.

GRADE FOUR LESSON PLANS

If Teeth Could Talk

Animal skulls can tell us many things about creatures and how they survived: what the animal ate, predator or prey, and which senses were important to their survival.

Schoolyard Bioblitz

A Bioblitz is a scientific scavenger hunt that goes further than just finding objects. Through a Bioblitz, students can share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs here in Ontario. The class will make observations in the schoolyard or area of choice. This activity is a great introduction to citizen science.

GRADE FIVE LESSON PLANS

Water Wisdom

Through this lesson, students will recognize that even though there is a lot of water in the world, only a small amount of it can be used for drinking and other water needs. They will become familiar with the quantity of water Canada has in its different regions compared to other countries in the world, and the main ways water is used inCanada. They will learn the need for water conservation.

Schoolyard Bioblitz

A Bioblitz is a scientific scavenger hunt that goes further than just finding objects. Through a Bioblitz, students can share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs here in Ontario. The class will make observations in the schoolyard or area of choice. This activity is a great introduction to citizen science.

GRADE SIX LESSON PLANS

Threats to Biodiversity

Students learn how invasive species reduce biodiversity in local environments – specifically the threat of Common Reed (Phragmites) to coastal wetlands of the Long Point Inner Bay and Marshes of Big Creek National Wildlife Reserve- by engaging in a game based on the common “Murder Handshake”game.

Schoolyard Bioblitz

A Bioblitz is a scientific scavenger hunt that goes further than just finding objects. Through a Bioblitz, students can share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs here in Ontario. The class will make observations in the schoolyard or area of choice. This activity is a great introduction to citizen science.

Nature Journaling

Nature journaling is a way to have your young naturalist record their observations of the natural world.  This type of journaling has a process that incorporates art and nature.  Nature journaling fosters keen observation skills and an appreciation for all the wonders of nature.

GRADE SEVEN LESSON PLANS

Life Under a Log

Students will discuss the importance of decomposition in the cycling of nutrients in the environment. They will be introduced to the main decomposers of rotting logs. Students will have an opportunity to roll rotting logs and record their observations.

Nature Journaling

Nature journaling is a way to have your young naturalist record their observations of the natural world.  This type of journaling has a process that incorporates art and nature.  Nature journaling fosters keen observation skills and an appreciation for all the wonders of nature.

GRADE NINE LESSON PLANS

Green Deserts

Norfolk County is a prime example of an area that attracted early European settlers. This treaty land called Between the Lakes Treaty #3 of the Mississauga’s of First Credit is nestled in the Carolinian life zone. This land was stewarded by First Nations for time immemorial suffered the effects of the European colonization. Today, active restoration is underway through collective efforts between local NGOs and First Nations. Let’s explore ways of re-establishing balance and biodiversity.

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