Place-Based Learning Activities

Learning Through Experiences

Place-based education immerses students in local heritage, culture, landscapes, and experiences; and then utilizes those activities as the basis for studying a variety of academic disciplines. This innovative teaching method strengthens students' engagement and commitment to their local environment and community. Explore this collection of free resources to integrate place-based education principles within your Flint Hills studies.
  1. Local Resources
  2. National Resources
  3. Helpful Websites

Place-based lesson plans, teaching resources, and websites for studying the Flint Hills from local organizations.

Lesson TopicResource
Agriculture, WildlifeKansas Ag in the Classroom
Over 150 lesson plans related primarily to agriculture but some wildlife. Searchable by subject, grade level, or commodity.
EnvironmentKansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education
Promotes science-based, environmental education with workshops and conferences for teachers.
HistoryKansas State Historical Society
Teacher-made lesson plans on Kansas history, large variety of ready-to-use plans.
HistoryRead Kansas! - Kansas State Historical Society
Social Studies, reading and writing lesson plans for K-12 correlated to state standards. Students use primary source materials, see multiple perspectives, and interpret complex text.
HistoryTerritorial Kansas Online
Lesson plans on Kansas history prepared by Kansas State Historical Society for grades 6-12. Emphasis on pioneer experience and territorial conflict over slavery issues.
NatureKansas Wildscape, Outdoor Kansas for Kids
Promotes outdoor nature-related events for kids around the state.
PlantsK-State Herbarium - Flora of Your County Lesson Plan
Familiarizes students with the KSU Herbarium collections database and how to use it, then they develop queries based on their own county’s flora.
Prairie Environmental Education ProgramDyck Arboretum Summer Institute
An Earth Partnership for Schools program for K-12 teachers. Learn how to teach about the prairie and natural history of Kansas. Participants receive book of lesson plans.
Soil, Soil LifeKansas Natural Resource Conservation Service, Guide to Soil Activities
Lesson plans for K-6 with basic, hands-on activities and learning centers to teach soil composition, erosion, earthworms, and more.
Water, RiversFriends of the Kaw River Science Curriculum
Entire Kansas-based river curriculum with numerous fully-developed lesson plans on a variety of water topics, can easily be adapted to Flint Hills rivers.
WildlifeKansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
Educational materials for preschoolers through adults to promote an understanding and appreciation for Kansas wildlife, wetlands, and other natural resources.
WildlifeKansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites
Grant program to fund construction of small wildlife habitat areas on school grounds.