This lesson plan introduces students to controlled burns as a tool to restore and maintain habitat for a rare butterfly species. The KWL technique serves to guide students through the topic.
Using KWL, students discuss what they know about rare and endangered species and habitat restoration. Students build on their knowledge by dividing into groups to read, research, and deliver presentations on Regal Fritillary Butterfly topics. Topics range in difficulty and small groups can be assigned subjects based on their cognitive and reading comprehension levels.
The lesson also includes a video on Fort Indiantown Gap's restoration efforts. As an alternative, teachers can invite natural resource professionals, who conduct controlled burns, to talk about their training, equipment, and career opportunities as well as other reasons for conducting controlled burns.
Lesson plan materials: