Free 7th Grade Protected Areas Lesson Plan

Topic: Why It's Important To Have Protected Areas

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to explain why it's important to have protected areas and why they should be protected.

Materials

• Pictures of protected areas (e.g. national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.)
• Handouts with information about protected areas
• Colored pencils or markers

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever been to a protected area (e.g. a national park).
• Ask them to share their experiences and why they chose to go to that particular protected area.
• Ask them if they know what a protected area is and what it is used for.

Direct Instruction

• Explain that a protected area is an area of land, water, or both that is preserved and protected by law or by human action.
• Examples of protected areas can include national parks, nature reserves, and conservation areas.
• These areas are important because they protect the natural resources and biodiversity of the area, as well as provide opportunities for recreation and tourism.
• Ask students to name some protected areas in their country and share their experiences visiting these areas.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups and give each group a handout with information about a specific protected area in their country.
• Have students work together to identify the benefits of this protected area and how it protects the natural resources and biodiversity of the area.
• Have each group present their findings to the class and discuss as a group.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose a protected area in their country that is not included on the handout and research the benefits of the protected area.
• Have students create a poster or presentation to share with the class the benefits of their chosen protected area and how it protects the natural resources and biodiversity of the area.

Closure

• Review the main points of the lesson and emphasize the importance of protected areas in maintaining biodiversity and natural resources for the future.
• Ask students to share something they learned about protected areas during the lesson.

Assessment

• Observe students during the guided and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the main points of the lesson.
• Evaluate students' posters or presentations on protected areas for their understanding of their importance and the natural or cultural features they protect.