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Illinois On Tour
Eighth graders participate in the Illinois Mystery Activity (from the ENTICE materials) to study additional interesting facts about Illinois. Using the DNR poster "Illinois' Natural Divisions" and printed materials from ENTICE, 8th...
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Why Are The Shore Birds Dying?
Students engage in a field study of birds and how they are in danger harm due to environmental factors. They list different possible causes in a prediction activity. The observations are done while writing up data and connecting it to a...
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A Whale of a Problem
Students evaluate the possible causes contributing to the decline of the killer whale population from a number of differing perspectives. They present their findings in a talk show format and in letters of advocacy regarding
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The Disappearing Fish
Learners examine the theories behind the drastic decline of the wild salmon population and the ecological ramifications of this decline.
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Aquatic Animals
Learners explore importance of marine or aquatic habitats, and investigate habitat characteristics and conditions required by various organisms to ensure survival. They then select an animal to study and design an artificial habitat...
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Animal Slideshow
Second graders view animal fact sheets, and make a slide about an animal. In this animal classification lesson, 2nd graders list facts that help classify the animal. Students use Microsoft paint and color their animal. Students use the...
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The Farmer Cares for the Land
Students explore farming by creating visual demonstrations. For this agriculture lesson, students read assigned text about a farmer's duty and identify the events that have taken place in the history of agriculture. Students collaborate...
Teach Engineering
Designing a Winning Guest Village in the Saguaro National Park
Don't desert a resource on the desert! Scholars work in groups to build on their ideas from the previous lesson to design a sustainable guest village in the Saguaro National Park. Each group produces a PowerPoint presentation to share...
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The Salamander Room
Students examine how each animal's habitat provides what that animal needs for survival. They discuss what an animal needs to survive-food, shelter, water, and space.
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The Sights and Sounds of Orcas
Students investigate the orca whale. They participate in an online Webquest, listen to whale vocalizations online, answer discussion questions, and locate and read newspaper articles on marine mammals and orca whales.
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Where the Red Fern Grows: A 4th Grade Literary Focus Unit
Fourth graders explore the human and animal connection along with the idea that death is a part of the life cycle. They read "Where the Red Fern Grows." Students examine the feelings and emotions surrounding death and they discover the...
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Spreading Kindness All Around
Students donate items to organization to demonstrate kindness. In this kindness lesson plan, students read many books and discuss how the characters in each one demonstrate kindness, and then they themselves donate to charities.
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The Farmer Cares for the Land
Students identify cause and effect relationships in issues relating to agriculture and the environment.
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Raising Cane: Building a Cane Flute From Scratch
Eighth graders create their own cane flute. They use a model flute to gain the correct measurements and use the scientific method to construct the flute to have sound quality and pitch accuracy.
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How Animals Bond
In this animals lesson plan, students students write a description about a pet or animal that they know. They include details that would help someone who has never met their animal feel like they know it already. Artwork about their...
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Population Density In Fish
Students investigate how a population of fish multiplies in an ecosystem and the kinds of things that must be done to maintain a healthy population balance with other organisms that live there. They conduct an experiment to test the...
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The Brown Pelican Experts
Fifth graders compare and contrast adaptations of brown pelicans and examine how they survive in different environments. They also make predictions of some adaptations that could be needed in certain types of ecosystems.
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County Butterfly/Moth Poster
Students discover how to identify the butterflies or moths found in their Illinois County. They use the Lepidoptera database list to find the scientific names, searching field guides and the Internet for the common name.
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Illinois County Dragonfly Poster
Students identify the dragonflies found in their Illinois County by using the Odonata database list to find the scientific names, searching field guides and the Internet for (1) the common name (2) description (3) life habits and (4) a...