Tina Ezzo (she/her) has been a middle school teacher in South Brunswick Township, New Jersey since 1993. In that time, Tina has taught 7th and 8th grade social studies and language arts, and has been teaching science since 2003. As a lifelong resident of Central Jersey, Tina and her husband, John raised their two daughters in the same town where they grew up. When Tina is not in the classroom, she loves exploring our country's awe-inspiring National Parks.
In this lesson, students discover how the habitat of New Jersey forests have been impacted by human activity.
Inquire: Students practice nature journaling as a way to acknowledge where nature exists around their school.
Investigate: Students compare and contrast New Jersey forest fragmentation and impervious surfaces from 1986 to 2020, and explore locations in New Jersey using the “Time Machine” simulator to see how the land has changed over time.
Inspire: Students discuss how and why humans impact natural areas, brainstorm restoration ideas, and write a summary of their learning.
Students learn how climate change affects red oaks and the animals that depend on them, and make a plan to plant a tree on their campus.
Inquire: Students listen to a read aloud of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and share how they feel after hearing the story.
Investigate: Students learn that one impact of climate change in New Jersey is higher temperatures and they discover ways red oaks and other living things may be impacted by warming.
Inspire: Students present their learning from this unit to their PTA/PTO, Board of Education, or other community organization to request support for planting red oaks or other trees on school property.
Students learn about the benefits of the Amazon rainforest and the technology-based solutions that people are using to protect it.
Inquire: Students are introduced to Indigenous groups around the world who explain the vital role humans play in protecting the planet, and the Surui people of Brazil who use technology to help combat illegal logging and deforestation.
Investigate: Students learn ways their lives are impacted by the Amazon and ways technology is being used to help protect, maintain, and restore biodiversity in the Amazon ecosystem.
Inspire: Students learn how their choices as consumers can help protect forests like the Amazon.
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