Curated OER
Level III: Technology Integration
Fourth graders prepare two spreadsheets each with an embedded line graph that displays data about the growth of the bitter rot fungus on apples and on petri dishes that were stored in the refrigerator and the classroom. They prepare a...
Biology Junction
Fungi Coloring Worksheet
In this biology instructional activity, students complete 28 short answer questions on fungi. They color and label the different parts of a hyphae.
NASA
Decomposers Get Energy From Dead Things
When life gives you mold, make penicillin. Scholars design an inquiry experiment to determine what causes rotting and mold growth. It also covers decomposers and the important role they play for other living things.
Teach Engineering
Dirty Decomposers
Do not let the class just sit and rot. Pupils learn how decomposition and nutrient recycling is important to an ecosystem. Groups design an experiment to determine how environmental conditions affect decomposition. They develop a poster...
Curated OER
Fungi
Learners examine the characteristics of fungi. In this biology lesson, students investigate the factors needed for fungi growth. They collect data and observations and write a report about them.
Curated OER
Is There A Fungus Among Us?
Students experiment with fungi and yeast in order to determine their role in nature. Students study terms associated with fungi and yeast through this series of lessons.
Curated OER
Grow An Apple Fungus
Students study fungus which attacks apple trees. In this apple tree lesson plan, students grow a mold to demonstrate how an apple fungus could destroy an apple tree. They observe the mold which will not actually destroy a tree. They draw...
Curated OER
Rotting Food
Students put bread out on a plate for a few days and put it under a microscope when it begins to mold. In this rotting food lesson plan, students discuss eating old food and what it does to your body.
Curated OER
Forest Management ~ Diseases and Pests that Effect a Good Harvest Stand
The forestry presentation found here lists and describes a variety of tree diseases. A few unappetizing photos are included to show symptoms of some of these diseases, or the insects and fungi that cause them. If you have a class that is...
Captain Planet Foundation
Rotting Away
What happens at the end of a plant's life cycle? Show kids the natural way that plants show that they're decomposing, as well as the importance of compost, with a lesson about living organisms. After reading Log Cabin by Anne Schreiber,...
Curated OER
Three Easy Steps To a Fungus Feast
In this science worksheet, students discover the relationship between the leaf cutter ant and fungus. Students perform an investigation, following specific directions. Note: This investigation requires an ant colony of 700,000 ants, plus...
Curated OER
TE Activity: How Fast Can a Carrot Rot?
Middle schoolers experiment to define which environmental factors favor decomposition by soil microbes. They decompose carrots in dirt, weigh the carrots periodically to determine how long it takes. They look at how engineers use this...
Curated OER
Life in a Log
Students identify insects living in rotting logs. In this decomposition lesson, students observe pieces of a rotting log, they look at the insects that have inhabited the log and create a chart that shows their findings.
Curated OER
Learning About Decay Demonstrations
Students explore decay in ecosystems by investigating a rotting log and/orcreating a decomposition chamber. They make predictions and answer questions about the changes involved.
Curated OER
Forest Decomposition
Learners explore decomposition. Students define and describe components of the decomposition process. Learners make a composter in a terrarium. Students record observations and changes weekly, drawing conclusions about the results of...
Curated OER
Micro-organisms
Students learn what a micro-organism is. In this micro-organism lesson plan, students understand that micro-organisms may be too small to see. Students learn microorganisms could be bacteria, fungi, something beneficial or a harmful...
Curated OER
Taking a Micro Hike
Students investigate organisms by searching soil on their school ground. In this insect life activity, students utilize field guides to help identify the organisms found in a rotting log on their campus. Students photograph any insects...
Curated OER
What's That Brown Fuzzy Stuff On My Plum?
Students examine Koch's Postulates by actually using them. They perform each of the required four steps to show that the brown fuzzy fungus they see growing on stone fruit (plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries) is what causes them to rot.
Curated OER
Moisture Lesson Plan
Students investigate the effects of moisture and dampness on homes, clothing, and mold growth. In this moisture lesson, students discuss which certain cities are damper than others based on location and geography. They talk about the...
Curated OER
Plant Diseases
In this plant biology learning exercise, students take a walk in the woods to write down signs of plant diseases. Students draw pictures of sick plants they observed and identify the number of different symptoms found. This is a three...
National Park Service
Reduce Our Carbon Footprint, Let’s Compost!
Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost lesson. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and you're ready to start...
Curated OER
Compost in a Bag!
Fourth graders experiment to see which objects decompose. In this compost lesson, 4th graders observe the changes of labeled objects in a bag. Leave the objects for one month and record the changes by observation and weight. Students...
Curated OER
Micro-Organisms
Students investigate microscopic life by viewing video clips. In this organisms lesson, students view photographs and video clips on the internet of micro-organisms and discuss the harms and benefits of the creatures. Students complete...
Curated OER
Forest Floor Terrarium
Students study the aspects of a forest floor ecosystem, including decomposition, the water cycle, food webs, the needs of living things, and physical vs. chemical change over an extended period. In addition, students conduct observations...