Resources for Educators
Free lessons, activites & EE resources:
Click on the activity below to learn more about the activity or in some cases, the entire resource booklet. You will need Acrobat Reader to view the pages.
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We will also happily sell you a printed and bound hardcopy of our elementary activity guide, SOS: Save Our Species, or our secondary resources guides, Grizzly Bears Forever. Click on the links below to view the table of contents and Alberta Learning curriculum links, and email education@cpawscalgary.org or call 403-232-6686 to order one of these teaching kits.
SOS Table of Contents
GBF Senior High Table of Contents
GBF Junior High Table of Contents
Resources Chart
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Measuring the Success of Environmental Education Programs :
This report reviews the basic tenets of environmental education, provides ten principles of excellent environmental education, and includes a glossary and other resources about outcomes-based evaluation.
Teacher’s Guide to Community Environmental Action : This resource guides teachers through integrating action projects in the class.
An Uncertain Future : Students compare the historical and present distribution maps of several large carnivores in North America.
Animal Game : In this experiential outdoor game students assume the role of producers, consumers, or decomposers, to learn about food webs and chains.
Bat and Moth : A classic environmental education activity, where students discover what it’s like to be the hunter and the hunted.
Bears of Banff : In this simulation game students assume the role of grizzlies as they try to meet their basic needs in a compromised ecosystem.
Bio-What ? What exactly is biodiversity? Why is it important? Use these overheads to generate discussion.
Deer Ears : Students learn about the importance of stealth and good listening skills in this enjoyable outdoor activity.
Disperse or Decease : Students play the role of focal species trying to disperse into new habitats, or deal with the consequences!
Ecosystem Enigmas : Students learn about the enigmas that occur when we try to manage a complex ecosystem. Find out why trees need bears and wolves!
Five Minute Field Trips : This resource is for teachers wishing to do simple and enjoyable outdoor environmental activities on their school campus. This is a “greatest hits” compilation of our favourite activities.
How do species become extinct ? Students will learn that loss of homes, or “habitat loss,” is the main factor that puts species in danger of extinction.
How we’re connected : In this activity, students take a close look at their lifestyle choices, and the impacts of those choices.
If the Earth were Small : This evocative poem by Joe Miller prompts listeners to wonder if we’d treat the Earth any different if it were only a few feet in diameter …
Inventing the Future : This guide helps teachers and students think about the future and sustainability, through many inspiring, motivational and thought-provoking activities.
Keys and Webs : Students use dichotomous keys and build food webs in the Rocky Mountain Ecosystem.
Mouse Roulette : In this active game students (owls) learn about food chains, factors affecting feeding, and the random poisoning of the mouse food supply.
Quote Poker : Students are given a “hand” of cards with environmental quotes written on them, to trade with their peers until they find the quote that they like best.
Take a Stand : Students think critically about some difficult questions and examine their own values as they “take a stand” on a difficult issue.
We’re all Passengers :The Passenger Pigeon was once the most numerous bird in North America - yet it is now extinct. Students learn how this happened and examine their own thoughts and feeling about extinction.
Weird Webs : What happens when you remove a grizzly bear or a flower from an ecosystem or food web? Play this game to find out!
What about Shady Acres ? In this activity, students work through the process of municipal government to decide on the future of Shady Acres: will they preserve it, develop it, or learn to compromise?
What does Endangered Mean ? This activity explains why species need their “special places” and what happens to them when these places are destroyed.
Where is Sophie ? Using real GPS data points, students analyze a map to determine if Sophie, a real bear, is behaving the way a normal bear should.
Who am I ? A fun-filled activity where students learn about the plants and animals found in a natural ecosystem.
Why the Y2Y ? Students represent various stakeholders on the issue of conserving habitat for bears, illustrating the complexities.
A Perfect Pond Study : Use this lesson plan to help you lead your students through an exciting pond study.
Plastic Bag Pond : This activity allows students to examine pond water up close, and will excite their curiosity and imagination about wetlands.
Pond Study Gear : Find out what you need for a pond study – and how to make it!
Pond-in-a-classroom : in this activity, you’ll make a waterproof “pond” that you can bring into the classroom to allow students to get personal with pond critters.
Water & Land Ecosystems : in this activity students make comparisons between aquatic and terrestrial species.
Wetland Pictionary : Pick a card, any card…and then draw it! This activity reviews wetland terminology in a creative way.
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