PROJECT #45
LESSON PLAN FOR THE CONSERVATION KID
2024 | TENNESSEE River
3 CURRICULUMS
created for grade-specific learning
5 activities
that promote hands-on learning
free
educational resources for grades 3-12
Youth Inspiring Youth
Rivers are Life films are excellent resources for learning about how to protect our world's rivers. To kick-off these educational resources we started with The Conservation Kid. To make the largest educational impact with we created lesson plans that can be used in grades 3-12.
The lesson plans are available for educators to download for free. They include teacher guides, presentation materials, video questions, and various activities. The educational material is broken down into 3 lessons plans, each targeting a different grade range to ensure a compelling curriculum for students of all ages.
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Introduction
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Welcome
This lesson plan explores plastic pollution’s effects on ecosystems & communities through activities, experiments, and solutions that inspire.
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The Conservation Kid
Young Cash Daniels, aka The Conservation Kid, started cleaning up the Tennessee River at age 7. Collecting fishing waste, placing specially made bins, and inspiring peers to help protect waterways. Watch the film now.
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Grades 3-5
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Teacher Reference Document
This teacher document outlines the activities for the lesson and serves as a guide for planning and instruction.
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Pre-Documentary Mini Lesson
This mini-lesson slideshow is designed to prepare students for the documentary by introducing key concepts, sparking curiosity, and guiding discussion before viewing.
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Video Questions
These video questions are designed to guide students as they watch film, helping them engage with key ideas, reflect on important themes, and connect the story to broader concepts.
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Single Use Plastics Activity
This activity helps students explore single-use plastics through math, community connections, and group discussions.
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Grades 6-8
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Teacher Document
This teacher document outlines the activities for the lesson and serves as a guide for planning and instruction.
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Pre-Documentary Mini Lesson
This mini-lesson slideshow is designed to prepare students for the documentary by introducing key concepts, sparking curiosity, and guiding discussion before viewing.
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Video Questions
These video questions are designed to guide students as they watch film, helping them engage with key ideas, reflect on important themes, and connect the story to broader concepts.
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Make It Local
This activity helps students apply the lesson concepts to their own community by exploring their local waterways. It guides teachers in facilitating observations, discussions, and connections between the lesson and students’ surroundings.
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Water Pollution and Plants Experiment - Day One
This packet guides teachers through Day One of the Water Pollution and Plants experiment, helping students explore how water quality affects plant growth. It includes instructions and turn-and-talk prompts to support hands-on learning.
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Water Pollution and Plants Experiment - Day Two
This packet guides teachers through Day Two of the Water Pollution and Plants experiment. Students will observe the results from Day One, analyze their findings, and think critically about how water quality impacts plant growth, with discussion and analysis prompts to support reflection.
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Grades 9-12
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Teacher Document
This teacher document outlines the activities for the lesson and serves as a guide for planning and instruction.
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Video Questions
These video questions are designed to guide students as they watch film, helping them engage with key ideas, reflect on important themes, and connect the story to broader concepts.
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Make It Local
This activity helps students apply the lesson concepts to their own community by exploring their local waterways. It guides teachers in facilitating observations, discussions, and connections between the lesson and students’ surroundings.
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Microplastics Activity
This activity helps students learn about microplastics, understand the impacts of plastic pollution, conduct research, and explore how individuals and communities can create positive change.
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About the Film
The Conservation Kid features Cash Daniels, an award-winning 14-year-old conservationist whose love of ocean wildlife is leading to massive change in the Tennessee River and beyond.
After discovering 80% of ocean pollution originates from inland sources, Cash started leading local cleanups and creating filament bins to collect fishing waste. His work led to the creation of The Cleanup Kids, a nonprofit started by his long time friend Ella and the return of several native bird populations to the river’s edge.
