Curated OER
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Even though volcanoes look alike, they can be very different based on the types of lava that erupts from their surface. Learn about strata volcanoes, shield volcanoes, and the varying viscosity of lava with an engaging hands-on...
K12 Reader
Endangered Species
Your learners have likely heard about animals going extinct. By reading this passage, they can find out some reasons why this happens and how to protect endangered species. After reading, individuals respond to five related questions.
University of Wisconsin
Identifying Your Soil for Rain Gardens
Teach your class the descriptive characteristics of soil. Provide information about particle size and a flow chart for assessing texture. Soil scientists then analyze samples and hypothesize which would be the best type for a rain...
Curated OER
Woodpeckers and the Life Cycle of Trees
For this woodpecker and the life cycle of trees worksheet, students are directed to an Internet site to identify pictures of 7 types of woodpeckers.
Curated OER
Facts on Fish Species
Here is a brief outline of facts on various Chesapeake Bay fish species. Use it as an example of what kind of information you want your life science learners to collect when you assign them a specific species to research. Another way to...
Curated OER
Plant Life Cycle: Quiz Game
Play the game, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? to review plant parts, life cycle, and pollination. There are 10 questions that get kids thinking about seeds, seed dispersal, pollination, and plant parts. This game is has audio and looks...
Curated OER
Wildlife
The centerpiece of this lesson plan is a predator-prey simulation in which colored paperclips represent different species of animals camouflaged against a colored background. Relevant follow-up questions are provided. The activity is...
Curated OER
Garden in a Glove
Students observe the life cycle of a plant in a glove. In this life cycle lesson plan, students read and discuss the life cycle of a plant. Students then plant seeds in a clear plastic glove and record their observations.
Curated OER
Plastic Bag Pond
Students investigate the pond water from a local water source. They collect the pond water from the bottom or near vegetation in order to obtain the best sample possible. Then they use microscopes in class in order to examine the life...
Curated OER
Bug Mountain Cake
How does your class celebrate Earth Day? If you are in need of a fun cooking activity that can fit into life science curriculum, look no further. Here is a quick and easy recipe for a bug mountain cake. It can be made in class and shared...
Education Outside
Nature's Treasure Map
Youngsters construct a map of treasures that they find along a nature trail as they hike. They also make sketches and create place names of some of the spots along the trail. Once back in class, pupils use their treasure maps to help...
Curated OER
The Game of Life
Students describe what it means for a marine animal or fish to be threatened or endangered after playing game simulating extinction.
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
The Creation of an Imaginary Species
Students explore the characteristics that distinguish different forms of animal life on Earth which are the results of natural selection and adaptations to their environment. The creatures are created using a game and then drawn by the...
Curated OER
"Mosquito Life Cycle" Activity
In this science online interactive worksheet, learners rearrange 6 developmental stages of the mosquito in sequential order. Students name each stage with their appropriate names.
Curated OER
2.0 "Water Is Life" Global Water Awareness Mini-Unit (Grades3-5)
Students study the amount of potable water on the Earth. In this water lesson, students examine the amount of potable water as compared to all the water on the Earth. They discuss why many parts of the world do not have access to good...
Curated OER
Fred the Fish -- A River Ran Wild
Students apply cause and effect relationships to water pollution in a stream. In this pollution activity students recognize the importance of clean water in their daily lives. Students accompany "Fred the Fish" as he travels down stream....
Curated OER
Where are all the Animals?
Learners view animals that camouflage at the Shedd aquarium website. In this camouflage lesson, students recognize that there are different types of camouflage, cryptic coloring, counter-shading, warning coloration and mimicry. Learners...
Curated OER
Beach Comber
Students investigate threats to our oceans by investigating items found on a beach. In this environmental safety lesson, students examine several items found on a beach and identify them as natural, harmful, organic or inorganic...
Curated OER
The Amazing Tomato
Students gain an understanding of where our food comes from. In this plant life lesson, students review what plants need for growth and how long it takes them to grow. Students research which plants it takes to make salsa. Students...
Curated OER
The Dirt on Worms!
Fourth graders make predictions, observe, collect and record data. They investigate several soil and worm websites. Finally, 4th graders write a letter to The President which defends earthworms by explaining their value to the United...
Curated OER
Penguins Around the World
Students gain an awareness of the diverse habitats of the 17 species of penguins. Standard: 4.4 Interdependence of Life Changes in an organism's habitat are sometimes beneficial to it and sometimes harmful.
Curated OER
The Great Barracuda
Young scholars explore oceanography by researching the great barracuda. In this animal life lesson, students read several vocabulary terms dealing with ocean life and examine a drawing of a barracuda. Young scholars examine...
Curated OER
Let's Go Fact Fishing!
Students work in pairs to research animals in the ocean. They use the Internet, encyclopedias, and resource books to complete an information sheet with a photo of the animal and three facts. They present their mini-reports to the class.