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Games on Echolocation
Get a little batty with life science! This fun simulation game replicates how bats use echolocation to hunt moths in their native Hawaiian habitat. After creating blind folds and discussing some basic principles of echolocation, students...
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World of the Pond
Field trip! The class will review what they know about organisms that dwell in freshwater ponds, then trek down to the old water hole to collect specimens for examination. This includes several web links, useful tips, and an excellent...
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Get Ready, Get Set, Hibernate
Students match each body part or idea from a work bank about methods of animal adaptations for winter survival. They observe as the first one, food is covered with the whole class before completing the rest of the diagram. They discuss...
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Animal Tracks
Students are introduced to the topic of area. In groups, they share various techniques to help them identify different shapes and work together to calculate the area. They use this same knowledge to determine the area of animal tracks...
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School Yard Park/ Ecosystem
Fifth graders examine ecosystems in their schoolyard. In this nature and ecosystem lesson, 5th graders map their schoolyard into workable plots. They classify plants and animals found in the plot. They revisit their site every two weeks...
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Introduction To Cell Structure and Function: What's Inside a Cell?
Tenth graders are introduced to the cell and some of its parts. Through the use of video, 10th graders see animal and plants cells and their parts. They learn terms used to explain the cell.
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Animal Skin
Students investigate the skin surface to body area ratios for different animals. In this seventh/eighth grade mathematics/science lesson, students explore heat transfer between an animal’s body and the environment. Using technology,...
California Academy of Science
Snakes and Lizards Length and Movement
Snakes and lizards can be very tiny or very long. Your class will get out their rulers to see just how big snakes and lizards can be. They discuss several different reptiles by reading the included animal fact cards, then each small...
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Marine Ecology
Students enact the life cycle of a sessile animal and quantify the possibility of survival under the conditions given. They then present to the class a new adaptation which will increase the animals chance of survival.
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The Coyote Population: Kansas Prairies
Students discover animal lifestyles by researching their ecosystem. In this animal statistics lesson, students research the geography of Kansas and discuss the reasons why wild animals survive in the open Kansas fields. Students complete...
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Managing Nutrients in Livestock Manure
Livestock managers reinforce math and science skills while learning about the nutrients found in manure. They predict which animal produces the largest amount and which animal's manure contains the most nitrogen. Finally, they compare...
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Habitat Choice in Woodbugs
Students investigate woodbugs. In this scientific investigation lesson plan, students explore the steps scientists take when conducting an investigation using live specimens. Students explore habitat preferences for woodbugs in various...
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CSI Clamshell Investigation
Students explore predator/prey relationships. They research information on moon snails and claims. Students draw conclusions from the data collected. They use math and graphing to determine if there is a relationship to the clam's size...
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How Many Penguins Does It Take? Studying Carrying Capacity and Limiting Factors
How does a population's habitat determine the size of that population? Teach learners about carrying capacity and limiting factors with an engaging roleplay activity. Class members pose as a colony of penguins who must gather food amidst...
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Worm Weather Predicted
Students examine worm habitats. In this animal habitats instructional activity, students participate in a lab activity that requires them to explore the adaptations that earthworms make to their environment.
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Our Lives and the Four Seasons
Students compare and contrast the four seasons. Using this information, they determine the plant, animal and environmental activities that can be enjoyed in each season. They discuss why the seasons must change and how humans adapt to them.
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Edible Soil
Young scholars model the soils layers using Oreo's. In this lesson students use their favorite food items to create a model of soil layers. A discovery lesson from a youth camp is adapted for classroom modeling and discussion of soil...
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CSI Clamshell Investigation
Pupils explore and explain how moon snails eat and where the holes in clamshells come from and then draw conclusion from the data collected. They incorporate math and graphing skills to determine if there is a relationship to a clam's...
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Bats: Fact and Fiction
Students describe the characteristics and behaviors of bats. After viewing a video, they explain how bats use echolocation to navigate and how they find their young within a group. They list four misconceptions about the animal and...
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Holey Clamshells
Pupils analyze data to make hypotheses and conclusions regarding the predator/prey relationship between moon snail and surf clams.
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Classmate Grid
Students interview classmates and record their findings on a coordinate grid using Inspiration or Kidspiration and digital cameras. This instructional activity is technology-based and includes resource links.
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Loggerhead Nest Management Program
Young scholars identify the sea turtle management documentary and complete an activity for each slide. They plot the location of nests laid on the island they patrol and discuss their rationale for management decisions. Finally,...
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School Yard Park/Ecosystem
Fifth graders observe and categorize different sections of a park and it's ecosystem. For this categorizing lesson plan, 5th graders collect different facets of nature from a nearby park (without disturbing the ecosystem). They map,...
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Rain Reasons
Students explore how climatic factors influence the growth of plants. They create an experiment to find how variations in water, light, and temperature affect plant growth and describe how precipitation and geography can affect the...