Georgia Forests: Virtual Learning Journey is a free classroom resource designed to teach students about forest ecosystems, food webs, and life cycles, as well as forestry management processes, career opportunities, and much more. Georgia educators served as consultants on the project to ensure proper alignment to Georgia standards and to provide guidance on instructional best practices. These support materials were designed for teachers by teachers to further explore concepts presented in the virtual journey.
Section 1: What Is a Forest?
Section 1 Vocabulary
Georgia Regions Blank Map
Georgia Regions Map Checkpoint
Georgia Regions Map Organizer
How to Read Tree Rings Activity Worksheet
How to Read Tree Rings Activity (Teacher Key)
Plant and Animal Cell Diagram
Plant and Animal Cell Diagram (Teacher Key)
Plant and Animal Cell Quiz
Section 3: Forestry and Me
Section 3 Vocabulary
Carbon Cycle Activity
Carbon Cycle Activity (Teacher Key)
Explore the Forest Activity
Explore the Forest Activity (Teacher Key)
Forest Health Tips
Physical vs Chemical Change Activity
Physical vs Chemical Change Activity (Teacher Key)
The field of forestry uses science, technology, engineering, art, and math to solve problems and so can your students. The documents below will provide instructions on how to get started on five STEAM challenges related to the virtual journey.
STEAM Challenge #1: The Food Chain Lantern Festival
Students can join the parade by creating a lantern that models the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers to shed light on the flow of energy within a forest.
STEAM Challenge #2: Wood You Believe How Much We Need Trees!
Students can take on the role of an environmental scientist to investigate how and why it is important to conserve and use sustainable practices in forestry.
STEAM Challenge #3: Welcome to My Neck of the Woods!
Students can explore the different geographical regions in Georgia to discover the plants and animals that live in their neck of the woods.
STEAM Challenge #4: The Importance of the Gopher Tortoise
Students can be an advocate for Georgia’s official state reptile. The gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species, meaning they are a species on which other animals depend, and they need help to protect the biodiversity in our forest ecosystems.
STEAM Challenge # 5: The Game of Life
Students can examine the game of life by designing their own adventure. They spin the wheel to learn about plant and animal cells and how good and bad microorganisms play a role in the game.