As teachers start to think about back-to-school plans, Natural Inquirer is here to help. In addition to all our publications for kids from kindergarten through 12th grade, we also have resources for teachers (formal and nonformal) – all free!
In this post, we’ll highlight:
Learning Modules
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Section Headings
Browse Freshwater Learning ModuleWe break down the module into individual topics, like the water cycle, watersheds, the plants and animals living in water, and water issues like sedimentation, conservation, and water treatment. Chose a single section or use the whole module.
Time Estimates
We provide time estimates for each section of the module so you can effectively plan your classroom time.
Resource List
We suggest articles, videos, and activities for each section to take some of the legwork out of your planning. All resources are free!
Final Assessment
In some modules, like this one, we include a final assessment that can be used at the end of the entire module or at the end of a section.
Order Copies Now!
Interested in using the Freshwater learning module? Order copies of the Freshwater edition of Natural Inquirer (in quantities of 20 or more) while they’re still in stock. The Freshwater edition features many of the articles and activities from the Freshwater module.
Orders and shipping are always free!
Lesson Plans: General Reading Skills
Looking for lesson plans to help students tackle scientific articles or make sense of nonfiction texts? Check out a few of these lesson plans that can be used with any Natural Inquirer article (or, in some cases, any nonfiction text) to help scaffold the skills kids need.
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This lesson plan introduces students to the different sections of a Natural Inquirer article. Additionally, it helps the students understand the content of the article through the use of graphic...Lesson Plan – Reading a Natural Inquirer Article – FACELook
This lesson plan introduces students to the different sections of a Natural Inquirer article. Additionally, it helps the students understand the content of the article through the use of graphic... -
In this lesson, students will use graphic organizers to help guide their reading of an article. Materials: Graphic organizers (included) Writing utensil This lesson plan can be used with any...Lesson Plan – Reading Graphic Organizers
In this lesson, students will use graphic organizers to help guide their reading of an article. Materials: Graphic organizers (included) Writing utensil This lesson plan can be used with any... -
In this lesson plan, you will use the visual thinking strategy to elicit prior knowledge from students before reading a Natural Inquirer Reader. After reading the article, you will use...Lesson Plan – Visual Thinking Strategy and Picture Description Strategy
In this lesson plan, you will use the visual thinking strategy to elicit prior knowledge from students before reading a Natural Inquirer Reader. After reading the article, you will use...
Lesson Plans: Reading Strategies for K-2
Looking for resources for younger learners? Check out our series of lesson plans that use our Readers to help kids learn about the differences between fiction and nonfiction, specific elements of nonfiction that help us make meaning, and what it means to be a scientist.
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In this lesson plan, students will explore the differences between fiction and nonfiction using a Venn diagram to visualize their comparison. Students will use a variety of nonfiction texts (like...Lesson Plan – Fiction and Nonfiction Lesson Map (Reader Strategies Series)
In this lesson plan, students will explore the differences between fiction and nonfiction using a Venn diagram to visualize their comparison. Students will use a variety of nonfiction texts (like... -
In this lesson plan, students will examine some of our Readers to identify features of nonfiction texts (e.g. table of contents, maps, glossaries, boldfaced words, etc.). Together with your students,...Lesson Plan – Elements of Nonfiction Lesson Map (Reader Strategies Series)
In this lesson plan, students will examine some of our Readers to identify features of nonfiction texts (e.g. table of contents, maps, glossaries, boldfaced words, etc.). Together with your students,... -
In this lesson plan, students will use clues from Natural Inquirer Readers to determine what makes a scientist a scientist. Students will create an anchor chart of scientist characteristics for future...Lesson Plan – What Is a Scientist? Lesson Map (Reader Strategies Series)
In this lesson plan, students will use clues from Natural Inquirer Readers to determine what makes a scientist a scientist. Students will create an anchor chart of scientist characteristics for future...
Looking for Something Else?
Browse our complete list of lesson plans. Narrow your search by grade level or topic. Many of these lesson plans can be used with any article, and some are paired with a specific publication.
New Resources for K-2 Students
New Video Read-Along
Looking for other ways to present material? Try our video read-along of “Meet Smokey Bear’s Team.”
- Designed for K-2 students
- Words are boldfaced as they are read
- Enjoy new images and graphics to help enhance understanding
- Learn about wildfire prevention and the people who help Smokey Bear
The second Reader in the video series, “Meet Dr. Hoagland,” is coming soon!
Looking for an Audiobook Version?
Whether you’re differentiating instruction, supporting a student’s needs, or setting up a listening center, the audiobook version of “Meet Smokey Bear’s Team” is a great resource for early readers!
Click on the audio player below the Reader description to play directly from the website.
Virtual Learning Adventures
Virtual learning adventures are collections of videos on a variety of topics, such as caves and karst landscapes, freshwater, Smokey Bear and fire prevention, and lots more. These videos are paired with other educational resources, too.Our latest virtual learning adventure is Ecosystems LIVE. Geared towards upper elementary and middle school students, the videos explore the animals and insects living in our own backyards and what we can do to both observe and protect them.
On the program page, you can:
- Download graphic organizers and activities for each episode
- Browse a list of civic science projects your class can participate in this year
- Find NGSS correlations for each episode
Our team here at Natural Inquirer wishes you all the best in inspiring the next generation of natural resource scientists and engineers!
