Curated OER
Impact of Exotic Species on Lake Ecology
Pupils examine the effect of foreign species on various habitats. In groups, they identify the population dynamics of the zebra mussel. They calculate averages and graph data from Seneca Lake in New York. They develop hypothesis about...
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Dendrology
Young scholars 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...
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Native Versus Exotic
Students investigate the presence of exotic and natural species in the ecosystem. They define the differences between exotic and native while looking at one specific ecosystem in Maryland. They write how the exotic species are considered...
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Species Diversity and Phylogeny
Students explore the classification system of organisms: taxonomy. They examine prepared slides of Protozoans and record information on a Taxonomy Recording Sheet. Two additional classifying activities are also included in this...
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Ten Important Hardwoods
Learners discuss ten important Pennsylvania hardwood trees, examine characteristics of each tree species, evaluate economic and ecological importance of hardwood trees, and recognize at least two characteristics of each species.
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What Kind Of Mammal Is It?
Students describe the characteristics of a mammal. They also differentiate between a companion and a wild animal. The lesson has an assessment included in it. They have a discussion to tap prior knowledge about what a mammal is.
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Look Up - Birds
Students investigate the concept of birds. They identify five different types of birds and name the characteristics that make them different than other living things. Students also name the different parts of the bird and how they are...
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Species Interactions
Pupils study the scientific concepts of biodiversity and conservation through the use of basic equations of population growth and hands-on experiments/simulations. The lesson includes a take-home assignment which can be used for final...
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Farm Products Help Me Grow
Students view a display of empty food containers (or illustrations). They select a food and decide as a class if it has an animal or plant origin. Students view a display of common farm animals that are commonly eaten (cow, pig, chicken,...
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Classifying Living Things
Students identify how to classify living things. They classify various concepts including family members, kinds of clothing, numbers, shapes, and vocabulary words. They discuss how to classify various concepts and classify pictures of...
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Coqui Frog Camouflage
Students investigate the concept of the coqui frog of Puerto Rico. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students explain in oral or written form some of the characteristics to that identify the frog. The lesson includes...
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Five Kingdoms of Living Things
Fifth graders are introduced to the classification system used in Science. In groups, they explain the characteristics of each of the five kingdoms. After watching a video, they review the life processes of each kingdom and complete a...
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Charting Diversity
Students organize different species of plans and animals according to various characteristics. Students then determine what characteristics enable them to survive in their habitat. Game ideas and activities are included.
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A Golden Age: Three West African Empires
Seventh graders research the kingdoms and rulers of Ghana, Mali and Songhay. In groups, they explore the trade routes and the spread of Islam. Using the internet, textbook and other sources, 7th graders collect information and write a...
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Animal Inventions
Students name the characteristics of animal groups. Students classify the major animal groups such as: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. They identify the elements of specific habitats that each animal needs in...
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Classify That!
Students explore diverse forms of life by using modern biological classification systems to group animals that are related. Students then study basic scientific groupings like genus, species, mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and...
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"Zoophyla"
Ninth graders gain an understanding of organims based on charateristics. They study about Kingdom Animalia and use technology to present knowledge of phyla. Finally, they create a new animal species of their own. When others present,...
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Spot Identification of Some of the Most Common Insect Orders
Students investigate the basic characteristics of insect orders and develop short-cut techniques to identify insects into twelve of the most common orders. They use captured specimens and photographs to practice identification and then...
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A Tree of Life Activity
Young scholars solve a mystery of the identification of a unknown organism by comparing its morphological characteristics to those in a tree of life classification poster. They compare the observable characteristics of the specimen and...
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Invertebrates and Vertebrate Evolution
Students explore the major characteristics of the major animal phyla. They describe adaptive features that have contributed to the success of animals on land. Students explain how primate evolution provides a context for understanding...
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Studying Species By Examining the Evolution of the Canidae Family
Students read an article on the characteristics of wolves and dogs then complete a phylogenetic tree of the canid family. They then write an essay justifying why or why not wolves and dogs should be classified as different species.
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An Automobile Phylogenetic Tree
Students construct a phylogenetic tree for various automobiles and trucks after considering important characteristics of these "organisms". They work in small groups to construct the trees and complete a set of questions then they...
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Classification in Action
Learners work with a set of objects to set up both quantitative and qualitative classification systems. As a group, students follow an example to design and complete two classification systems using a set of objects provided. ...
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A Fiedl Study of an Integral Species
Students compile baseline population information on a local species. They design and conduct a scientific investigation of a local species. Students interpret, analyze and communicate results based on sound scientific and mathematical...