Project Learning Tree (PLT) is a supplemental curriculum guide for educators of students PreK - 12. Educators receive PLT materials only after participating in a professional development workshop. The PLT PreK-8 guide has 96 multi-disciplinary activities carefully designed for specific grade levels and learning objectives.

Through a series of supplement guides filled with lessons designed to be infused into existing curricula, the Secondary Modules engage students in meaningful exercises that bring awareness of current issues, to knowledge, and finally to positive action.The hands-on, interdisciplinary lessons are correlated to many NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards, and use cooperative learning, problem solving, and authentic assessments. Each module provides detailed background information about the subject matter under discussion and suggestions for taking action within your school's community. Secondary modules include:

The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology - Beginning in the forest, students learn about natural systems and relationships

Municipal Solid Waste - Students explore roots and solutions of this universal urban environmental issue.

Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests - Students investigate and define environmental issues, learning how they unfold, mature and become part of the public debate.

Focus on Risk - Students learn how to assess environment and health issues, and about the tools they can use to make good decisions.

Places We Live will provide educators with a useful tool for placed based education to help create a bond between young citizens and their communities. Students will explore current and future community environmental issues, enabling them to make informed decisions about those issues.

Forests of the World- in partnership with World Forestry Center, this module will provide students with opportunities to apply scientific processes and higher order thinking skills while investigating world forestry issues and conducting service learning action projects.

Project Learning Tree uses the forest as a "window on the world" to increase students' understanding of our complex environment. PLT focuses on developing critical thinking skills. PLT gives teachers the tools they need to help children learn how to think about the environment. It doesn't try to teach children what to think about the environment.

Project Learning Tree Workshops are available year-round for educators, scout leaders, home school leaders, and anyone else interested in the environment. Free in-service workshops are available for schools. For more information or to schedule a workshop, please call (732) 833-9816 or email NewJerseyPLT@gmail.com

Formal and Non-Formal teachers can borrow a PLT trunk for up to 3 weeks! Trunks are free, portable, and filled with materials to teach PLT.

• Formal or non-formal teachers or schools can request a trunk.
• The trunks offer over 20 hands on props and fun hands-on activities from PLT.
• Trunks include resources such as compasses, magnifying glasses, books, videos, and posters.
• The materials and lessons can be infused into science, language arts, social studies, reading, mathematics, art, music, civics, etc.
• PLT trunks assist teachers and group leaders in connecting the students of New Jersey to their natural resources.

• For more information on the history of PLT visit the National PLT web site.

PLT's primary audience is Pre-K-12 grade level teachers. It's usefulness however, is not limited to the formal education setting. Museum educators, scout leaders, 4-H members, naturalists and other youth leaders will find these materials to be a valuable resource. Whether your learning environment is located in a forest or in an urban community, PLT offers something for everyone. The PLT workshop schedule will provide you with information on workshops in your area. A PLT workshop application form is also available on line. For more information please contact: