Science 4 Inquiry
The Ups and Downs of Populations
As the reality of population decline across many species becomes real, pupils learn about the variables related to changes in populations. They complete a simulation of population changes and graph the results, then discuss limiting...
Purdue University
Healthy Water, Happy Home
Clear water does not mean clean water. A collaborative lesson has groups play a board game to identify sources of water pollution and develop strategies for improving water quality. Their investigations include reference to the water...
Purdue University
Discovering the Watershed
Human impact on watersheds can make or break an ecosystem. Learners use a game to learn about the impact human choices have on water quality and the organisms that depend on it. The activity includes a game board and game cards that tell...
Purdue University
Coloration Exploration
Finding an animal in nature can be like a game of hide and seek. A thorough instructional activity explores different coloration strategies of animals. Pupils complete look-and-find puzzles and coloring sheets to differentiate between...
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
Rainforest Rescue
Students explore threats to diversity in the Central African rainforest. They use a guided website to research animals that are threatened with extinction, examine human uses of the rainforest and think about what they can do to help...
University of California
Impact of the California Missions on Native Americans
While the Spanish claimed to bring civilization to California indigenous peoples, in reality, they also brought violence and forced assimilation to European values. Primary sources, such as the reports of Catholic priests and Europeans...
Curated OER
Farmers - Caretakers of the Land
Students explore resource management, specifically farming. After reviewing vocabulary words, groups of students explore what is conserved by each practice. They compare and contrast responses. Students describe farming procedures which...
Curated OER
Please Help!
Sixth graders examine the prairie food chain while designing a rescue strategy for an endangered species. They compare their strategy to that of a professional conservation expert.
Curated OER
Prairie Predator and Prey
Fifth graders brainstorm a list of animals that live on the prairie, and classify them as predators and prey. They conduct interviews where they ask the animals what they need to look out for to sustain life on the prairie.
Curated OER
Poisoning the Prairie
Seventh graders investigate what pesticides are and why people use them. They examine the effect of pesticides on prairie grasses and what alternatives can be used.
Curated OER
Caught in a Net
Learners read and discuss the bycatch of the sea and the economic impact of taking bycatch away. In this bycatch lesson plan, students discuss the rights of fisherman and observe pictures of sea animals.
Curated OER
Nine Lives, One Habitat
Students explore reintroduction of endangered species into new habitats. They research and promote possible sites for reintroducing populations of Florida panthers outside of their current habitat in the Big Cypress Swamp region of...
Curated OER
Cheetah Challenges
High schoolers research the problems that cheetahs are facing in the wild. In this biology lesson, students discuss how animal rehabilitation works. They write blogs about it and comment on everyone's post.
Curated OER
What Is Happening To My Species?
Learners select and research an animal that lives in the rainforest of Manu, Peru. They watch and discuss a video, create masks and costumes to role-play various rainforest animals, conduct research, and write a short story of their...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Ivory Trade
In this Ivory trade worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write, and...
Curated OER
Regulating the Harvest
Students study the effect of trapping in the Illinois Territory in 1805 and compare it to trapping today. They participate in a role playing activity in which they discover how practices in early Illinois Territory led to wildlife...
Curated OER
Human Footprint
Young scholars study facts about humans and how they are impacting the Earth. In this investigative lesson students help map peoples footprints over the Earth's surface and evaluate these factors.
Curated OER
Zoos and Captive Breeding
After reading pages 470-472 of an unspecified textbook, students compare statements about zoos and captive breeding to information presented in text for statements of truth. Students change statements that are false so that the...
Curated OER
Slang Quiz: Crime 1
In this English slang worksheet, students test their understand of English slang by choosing the correct phrase to complete each sentence.
Curated OER
Trappers Then and Now
Students study how trapping in the Illinois Territory in the 1800's effected the beaver population in the state. They compare methods, rules and regulations of the 1800s to those of today. In groups, they research a variety of...
Curated OER
Wildlife, Wolves, Endangered Species
Middle schoolers use the Internet to research wildlife and conservation efforts. They examine pictures and graphics to research endangered species and humans role in their lives. They also use math to measure areas of habitats and add...
Curated OER
New Mammal Species Found
Learners brainstorm ideas about rodents, mammals and new discoveries. They describe rodents and participate in pre-reading activities. They read, discuss, and complete role play activities based on an article on the discovery of a new...
Curated OER
String of Fish
Fourth graders research a Florida fish to determine its length. They display this information on two index cards, which are cut to the shape of the head and the tail and attached to a string that they measure and cut to the correct...