Curated OER
Keys To Trees: Dichotomous Tree Identification
Ninth graders gather samples of different tree leaves in their neighborhoods, and on school grounds, and identify several species of common South Carolina trees using leaf and growth characteristics with aid of dichotomous key.
Curated OER
Endangered Species Problem
Students list the morphological characters used to identify the cacti in the field, and describe the associated problems in using these characters for identification. They draw the geographical ranges of the varieties of species...
Curated OER
Freshwater Fish Anatomy & Taxonomy
Tenth graders use a classification key to identify organisms. In this classification lesson students identify freshwater species of fish and document their observations.
Curated OER
Science: Her-bariums Galore!
Students collect and identify plant species and construct herbariums both at school and at home. By gathering data from both locales, they draw conclusions and make predictions about plant diversity. Upon completion of the exercises,...
Curated OER
Identification of Positive Streptococci
After being introduced to the genus Straptococcus, biology buffs set up agar plates, esculin slants, and salt broth tubes with different species to test. The level of laboratory skills required to perform this activity makes it most...
Curated OER
Species and Specimens: Exploring Local Biodiversity
Students practice skills essential to all scientific investigation: carefully observing and collecting data. They become field biologists in a series of hands-on activities to collect and identify specimens, and survey and calculate the...
Curated OER
Classification Schemes
Junior biologists journey through the hiearchy of living things with these activites. Using a dichotomous key, they identify common algae, plants, and fish. They design their own key for a mixture of seeds and a collection of...
Nuffield Foundation
Monitoring Water Pollution with Invertebrate Indicator Species
Healthy invertebrates mean healthy ponds. An outdoor activity has scholars collect samples of invertebrates from local lakes or ponds. They identify and count different species and use the information to estimate the level of pollution...
Curated OER
Reptile Identification Exercise
Young scholars are shown how to use the Digital Atlas of Idaho. They use a dichotomous key to identify species of Idaho reptiles. Students describe some basic life characteristics of reptiles. They use th visual key to identify the...
Curated OER
Tree Identification
Students list four ways to identify trees. In this tree identification instructional activity, students use tree identification techniques such as leafs, bark, wood grain, soil type, and climate to create tables and graphs.
Curated OER
Species Diversity in Ecosystems with Different Techniques of Land Management
Learners visit numerous places to help in their understanding of Ecology. In this biology lesson plan, students will learn about characteristics and how to identify numerous plants and animals. This lesson allows for many field trip...
Curated OER
Dendrology
Pupils work as a class-size unit as well as in small groups to become proficient in observing tree characteristics to facilitate species identification. They identify most common tree species by observing leaf, flower, fruit and bark...
Curated OER
Butterfly Identification Exercise
Students examine the various species of butterflies found in Idaho. Using a visual key, they compare and contrast different butterflies with their own sample. In groups, they identify the common and latin name along with its diet and...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Impacts of Climate on Forest Succession
Part two in a series of four explores the effects of climate on succession or the changing of plant species in a forest. Groups review how to identify trees and then spend a day in the field collecting extensive data on trees to...
Michigan State University
Bug Lyphe!
Introduce ecology classes to biodiversity and interdependence in ecosystems with a PowerPoint presentation. Then, they get up-close and personal with the invertebrate world by collecting insects, classifying them, and graphing their...
Alabama Wildlife Federation
Songbird Survey
Serenade your classes with a selection of bird songs. Scholars learn to identify birds by their songs with practice and then take their skills to the outdoors. They identify mating pairs while on a nature walk and repeat their walk over...
Curated OER
Create a Community Tree Tour
Students study tree identification. In this tree identification lesson plan, students design and assemble a tree tour booklet describing 5 trees found in their community. The booklet should feature common and Latin names of the species,...
Curated OER
Backyard Wildlife Conservation
Students survey local wildlife. They distinguish between permanent and migrating or seasonal species. Students identify species and describe the ecological niche. Students research the food chain and food web for the backyard...
Curated OER
Name Match
In this name match worksheet, students match up ten species to their description or history by drawing a line between one to the other.
Curated OER
Amphibian Identification Exercise
Students are told that Idaho is home to many amphibians. They use the key to identify the species that are listed on the list. Students use the key to compare their species with the choices given and choose the option that best matches...
Curated OER
Plant Identification Pictionary
Young scholars participate in a plant identification game. Using worksheets, they collect plant samples and identify the basic parts of the plant. They note the similarities and differences between the various diagrams. They use heavy...
Curated OER
Weed Pull Preparation
Pupils practice field identification of exotic invasive species. They identify and tag exotic invasive species in a local area using invasive species flash cards at a provided website.
Curated OER
Name That Bird
Students view web sites about Birding. They explore how to identify species using a bird's silhouette, posture, size, flight patterns and habitat. They practice birdwatching and notetaking in the outdoors.
Curated OER
Native Plant Species Web Quest
Students visit USDA Plants Database Web site at
http://plants.usda.gov/ to identify native species of the Southern
Appalachian Region. They name and describe each species in general
terms in their field notebooks for the purpose of plant...