Water Cycle Lesson: Deforestation
Lesson Plan
1 hour 10 minutesGrades6, 7, 8Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Mallory Swafford
About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn how climate change and deforestation are linked to the water cycle.
Inquire: Students view an Indigenous perspective on deforestation and learn how climate change can lead to deforested areas.
Investigate: Students complete a hands-on activity to investigate the effects of deforestation on erosion and watch a video on deforestation and climate change.
Inspire: Students create a cause-and-effect diagram about erosion and the water cycle.
Preview the lesson plan
Better on a bigger screen? Open it in its own tab.View Lesson Plan
Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- Students participate in multiple interactive and hands-on learning activities to engage in kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning.
- Students continue to better their understanding of how Earth’s natural systems are interconnected and dependent on each other.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 3 of 4 in our 6th-8th grade Water Cycle Unit.
- Materials required for the erosion model activity include the following:
- Scissors or sharp knife
- Clean, empty one-gallon container with a lid (such as a plastic milk jug)
- Water
- Two aluminum bread pans
- Dirt
- Two aluminum, 9-by-13-inch cake pans
- 12 to 14 plastic forks
- Two blocks, shallow plastic containers, or other items of the same height to prop up the aluminum bread pans
- Outdoor test area with a flat, level surface where it is easy to clean spilled water and soil
Differentiation
- The erosion activity may be completed as a hands-on activity in lab groups or as a demonstration by the teacher.
- Lab groups may have mixed abilities to aid in understanding.
- Teachers can prepare examples of diagrams for students to reference during the Inspire section.
Students can extend their learning by reading this article about how climate change could lead to mass deforestation due to subpar growing conditions.
From the scientist review
This lesson provides students with a background on the relationship between deforestation, water cycle, erosion, and climate change. It establishes the fact that deforestation poses stress on the forest ecosystem and services, including impacting the water cycle and speeding up erosion and climate change. These issues could be addressed with well-informed adaptive strategies and action to restore the forest and biodiversity. All materials have been verified thoroughly, and this lesson has passed the science credibility process.
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
About the teacher writer
Mallory Swafford
Teacher
I graduated in 2014 from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale with a zoology degree. I worked in the field of zoology until 2018 when I decided to make the switch to education. I now am certified to teach first through sixth grades in general education. I am endorsed in middle grades science and I expect to finish my master's in high school biology this year. I love teaching science and am excited to work with the Subject to Climate team!
