Resources for Educators
Lesson guides, live-data activities, and standards alignment for teaching about Puget Sound salmon — from biology to treaty rights.
How to Use These Materials
Each learning module on this site is designed to stand alone as a 15–25 minute reading suitable for independent or guided classroom use. The modules connect to the live Salmon Health Dashboard for data-literacy extensions. Discussion questions and activity ideas are embedded in each module under the "For Educators" section. Downloadable lesson plans and worksheets are in development (see below).
Learning Modules
Salmon Life Cycle
Standards: NGSS MS-LS1-4, MS-LS2-4
Learning Objectives
- ›Identify and sequence the six life stages of Pacific salmon
- ›Explain the concept of anadromy and why it makes salmon vulnerable
- ›Connect habitat quality at each life stage to population health
Why Salmon Matter
Standards: NGSS MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4, HS-LS2-6. WA EALRs 4.2
Learning Objectives
- ›Explain what a keystone species is and why salmon fit that definition
- ›Describe the nutrient cycle that connects salmon to Pacific Northwest forests
- ›Summarize the ecological, economic, and cultural significance of salmon to Puget Sound
Treaty Rights & Co-Management
Standards: CCSS RH.9-10.6, C3 D2.His.5.9-12, WA EALRs 4.1 & 4.3
Learning Objectives
- ›Summarize the key provisions of the 1855 Pacific Northwest treaties
- ›Explain the significance of the 1974 Boldt Decision for tribal fishing rights
- ›Describe how co-management works in practice and why it matters for salmon
Reading the Dashboard
Standards: NGSS Science & Engineering Practices (analyzing data). CCSS Math MP.3. WA Data Literacy Standards.
Learning Objectives
- ›Identify the data sources behind the Salmon Health Dashboard
- ›Interpret salmon population trend charts and status color indicators correctly
- ›Explain at least two important limitations of the data presented
Classroom Activity Ideas
Live Data Exploration
Use the Salmon Health Dashboard to explore real population trends for a local watershed. Students compare multi-year data, identify patterns, and form hypotheses about causes.
Open Dashboard →Watershed Mapping
Use the interactive map on the dashboard to locate Puget Sound watersheds. Students research one watershed, identify the tribal nations with treaty rights there, and summarize current salmon health status.
Open Map →Treaty Text Primary Source Analysis
Read excerpts from the Medicine Creek or Point Elliott treaties alongside excerpts from the Boldt Decision. Students analyze how the same treaty language was interpreted differently by state and tribal parties over 120 years.
Module Background →Salmon Life Cycle Field Observation
If you are near a salmon-bearing stream, plan a fall spawning observation. Use the life cycle module as pre-reading. Students record observations and connect to population data from the dashboard.
Module Background →Downloadable Resources
Educator guides and worksheets are in development and will be available for download when content is finalized.
Salmon Life Cycle — Educator Guide
Discussion questions, activity templates, and vocabulary list for the Salmon Life Cycle module.
Treaty Rights — Educator Guide
Primary source excerpts, stakeholder role cards for the simulation activity, and timeline template.
Dashboard Data Activity Worksheet
Structured worksheet guiding students through reading the dashboard, interpreting trends, and forming evidence-based claims.
Bring This Into Your Classroom
Are you a teacher or curriculum specialist who would like to pilot these materials? We'd love to work with you — please reach out to discuss.
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