Sustaining Penn's Woods: Curriculum Overview

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Designed with the state's new standards in mind.

Interactive CD-rom

"Sustaining Penn's Woods, A Sound Use of the Land" was developed with criteria for sound and effective environmental education as well as the state's new environment and ecology standards in mind. Curriculum materials come in a box that includes seven folders, an interactive CD-ROM, a classroom poster and two videotapes.

On this web site, you will find 8 individual pages of facts and information, summarized from the curriculum and reviewed and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Educators will find the curriculum divided into five sections. Each section folder has detailed background information on the topics as well as related student activities. Here's a summary of section contents:

Click on the menu bar above to view each of the curriculum fact sheets.

Online Curriculum
for Teachers & Educators:

Now you can download the online curriculum for use in your classroom. The online version is a full version of the written section of the curriculum kit.

SECTION I
Human Influence on Pennsylvania's Forests: Then and Now: Contains background information and activities on Native American and American pioneer forest use and dependence. Historical background includes information on people and events that shaped the conservation and stewardship movement. Students can learn about environmental and economic impacts of land use decisions.

SECTION II
Pennsylvania's Forest Resources: Contains background information and activities about the types of forest in Pennsylvania and the biological diversity within them. The chapter also explores the various influences on the forest ecosystem, including human activity and the impacts of deer, pests and diseases. The natural process of interspecies competition is also discussed.

SECTION III
Benefits of Pennsylvania Forests: Contains background information and activities about the variety of benefits provided by Pennsylvania's forests. The material discusses renewable and non-renewable natural resources, watersheds and wildlife habitat. It also presents information on the multiple-use management of forests to sustainably meet human and environmental needs, and the roles of urban and other community forests.

SECTION IV
Forest Industry: This section provides background information and activities on the forest and wood products industry including processing, technology, career opportunities and economic impacts.

SECTION V
Pennsylvania Forest Management: Contains background information and activities on Pennsylvania forest management, including silviculture and harvest practices, and federal and state regulation. The section discusses the role of education in helping forest managers and landowners make sound land use decisions.

GENERAL INFORMATION
A folder including a forward, explanation of the nine environment and ecology standards to which the curriculum applies, and the general rubric for assessing curriculum activities.

APPENDIX
A folder with glossary, reference and resource materials.

CLASSROOM POSTER
A cut-out view of Pennsylvania with cartoon representations of forest activity. On the reverse there are sample student pages and other curriculum materials.

VIDEO
"An Industry Committed to the Forest Resource" (length 26 min.) presents information about Pennsylvania's forests and forest products industry, as well as sustainable management.

VIDEO
"Wild PA: Deer Management" (length 30 min.) discusses the impact of white-tailed deer on the forest ecosystem.

CD-ROM
Contains seven activities that can be used on their own or to supplement student activities in the written curriculum.

A world without wood
Ring around the tree
Forest management videos
Get a job
Who knows morest about the forest
Forest court
Wood you buy that?