Curated OER
Inside-out Adaptations
Students describe sea stars adaptations and explain how these enable them to survive in different environments. For this animal adaptation lesson students watch a video, get into groups and create a list of characteristics of sea stars.
NOAA
Deep-Sea Ecosystems – Life is Weird!
A pool of brine in the deep sea can be up to four times as salty as the surrounding sea water. The deep sea ecosystem relies on chemosynthesis and the organisms that live there are often strange to us. The lesson plan focuses on...
Curated OER
What's the Difference?
Students analyze the similarities in different species. This lesson plan is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. In this segment, students classify shoes to mimic the scientific categories of the classification system.
Curated OER
Body Plans and Adaptations
In this body plans and adaptations activity, students will review the different types of symmetry found in organisms. Students will identify body parts as found on either the ventral or dorsal part of an animal. Then students will look...
Curated OER
Down in the Dumps
After an introduction to municipal sludge, middle school ecologists consider the pros and cons of dumping in the Hudson River Canyon. The class is split into two groups: one to debate in favor or dumping and one to debate against the...
Curated OER
Tackling Taxonomy
Students study physical characteristics of separate phyla and place them into similar groups. This lesson is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. students develop a classification system by grouping animals into...
Curated OER
Dive In: Biology At The Beach
Continue the spirit of summer by studying marine life in your classrooms.
Curated OER
Life is Weird
Students study the organisms that are found in cold seeps and see how they interact with each-other. In this biological organism lesson students describe the major features of cold seeps and the process of chemosynthesis.
Curated OER
Limpet Shell Exercise
Students review the terms and concepts: evolution, selection, biotic, and abiotic factors. They come up with hypotheses about limpet shell types based on what we discuss about intertidal environments. Students use ratios to compare...
Curated OER
Coral Reef Restaurant
Learners explore coral reefs by re-enacting different reef organisms.
Curated OER
Marine Field Trip to Whytecliff Park
Students study the intertidal habitat, tidal pools and the organisms that live in them. In this aquatic ecosystems lesson students take a field trip and experience first hand the local seashore environment.
Curated OER
The Science Behind Dolphins
Students discover facts about marine mammals, specifically dolphins. In this K-2 lesson plan, students identify the different species of Cetaceans, focusing on dolphins. Students answer true/false questions regarding cetaceans and...