Curated OER
Must We Shoot Bambi?
Pupils explore the deer population. For this environmental lesson, students participate in a hands-on activity to better understand the concept of controlling the deer population.
Curated OER
Meet One Picky Bird
Students complete a research project In this endangered species lesson, students use the "Think, Puzzle, Explore" method to learn about endangered species. Students research and write a report on the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Curated OER
The Portable Niche
Third graders, in groups, research animals, plants, and conditions found in ecosystems.
ARKive
Temperate Rainforest in the Pacific Northwest
Explore the amazing temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest. Your class starts by investigating the animals and plants of the Northwest, specifically Washington, and then research an animal population common to the area. In small...
Curated OER
Long Island Beach Life
Have your class learn about marine life through this resource. This comprehensive instructional activity has learners discuss marine life, learn key vocabulary, discuss environmental concerns, and play games related to migration and...
Curated OER
Discovering the Oasis
Students focus on the types of vegetation and animal life living around local water sources. This lesson can be adapted to any local water source, whether it be a lake, a river, stream or ocean. It has a particular focus on the bird...
Curated OER
Land Use
Students examine ecosystems that covered Illinois 200 years ago, investigate some living and non-living components of ecosystems, identify components of prairie system, create food webs, and observe human effects on environment. Lessons...
Curated OER
How Many Bears in the Forest?
Third graders model the tag and recapture of bears and use proportions to estimate the population of the bears in their forest. This is a statistical sampling method used by scientists and naturalists to determine population numbers.
Curated OER
Bird airport control
Students identify the various species of birds found in the wetlands. Students observe and record the key skills involved in scientific inquiry. Students handle and interpret data gathered on a field trip which reveals patterns and...
NOAA
Understanding Food Chains and Food Webs
Jump into an exploration of marine ecosystems with the first lesson in this four-part series. After first learning about crustaceans, mollusks, and other forms of sea life, young marine biologists view a PowerPoint presentation that...
Curated OER
Bird Airport Control
Students visit a local wetland and record observations of waterfowl on downloadable worksheets. They compile class data and list similarities and differences among species of birds observed.
Curated OER
Species on the Edge
Students describe factors negatively affecting population of sea turtles, and identify and discuss action that can be undertaken to reduce or eliminate threats to sea turtles and other endangered species.
Curated OER
The Race
Students play game simulating route turtle hatchlings take from clutch to ocean, and describe threats hatchlings face and how this affects the marine turtle population.
Curated OER
Ecological Organization
Students examine the concepts in the ecological organization unit. In this ecological lesson students explore news articles that have to do with the study of ecology.
Purdue University
Invasive Plants: Impact on Environment and People
It's the attack of the invasive species! Young scientists simulate the behavior of an invasive species with a game-like activity. They assume the roles of native plants, invasive plants, and resources and watch the invasive plant takes...
Curated OER
Teeter Totter
Students explore the two types of spotted sandpipers. They create a puppet show using the spotted sandpiper from Puerto Rico and the spotted sandpiper from Alaska. Students research the habitats of the two sandpipers.
Curated OER
What If We Run Out?
Learners explore the consequences of shrinking habitats and the human impact on wildlife populations. They participate in a game to study the consequences and describe the preservation of animal habitats.
Curated OER
Puerto Rican Parrot Paradise
Students investigate the environment of the Puerto Rican Parrot. They visualize the ecosystem with and without information. They conduct research to find information and participate in classroom discussion to demonstrate comprehension of...
Curated OER
Ecuadorian Rainforest: If the Forests Could Talk
Third graders explore the delicate balance the must be maintained in a rainforest ecosystem. In this ecosystems lesson, 3rd graders learn about the importance of "little things" such as bugs or a certain plant in the rainforest. This...
Curated OER
Animals in the Wild
Students explore the role of snakes in an ecosystem and discover how snakes warn us that they are dangerous. They view and discuss a Discovery Channel video showcasing snakes in the wild then break into small groups to research a...
Curated OER
ProjectWILD Aquatic: Migration Headache
Learners explore the important factors that affect habitat quality and the associated survival of migratory water bird populations. They discuss an organisms dependency upon a variety of habitats and habitat quality. Students play a game...
Curated OER
Biotic Factors
Students identify individual organism, a species, and a population within the study community. They identify biotic factors at the site and attempt to characterize the site's species diversity.
Curated OER
Night Creatures of the Kalahari
Young scholars conduct an experiment to demonstrate how fruit fly populations are controlled by spiders. They observe a variety of environments with fruit flies and spiders and consider how vital spiders are to controlling the insect...