American Museum of Natural History
Ask a Scientist About Dinosaurs
Who doesn't want to know more about the mysterious dinosaurs? Learners read about dinosaurs and the process scientists use to continue learning more about the animals in an interview-type format. A paleontologist responds to submitted...
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Examine the Trees in Your Community Forest
Twelfth graders examine selected tree species. In this tree lesson, 12th graders examine twenty selected tree species, identify them, and correctly map out the trees in the area.
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Prairie Find Outdoors
Students take a field trip to a local prairie. Using identification books, they identify various forbs and grasses in the prairie. As a class, they discuss the importance of forbs and grasses to the ecosystem and review the various types...
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U.S. History: Antebellum Heroes and Villains
Eighth graders research and write reports on key figures of the Antebellum Period. The projects also include pictures, bibliographies, and timelines about their assigned figure. In addition, 8th graders present oral reports to classmates.
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Soil Scrolls
Third graders examine soil samples and explore the what happens in each layer of the subsoil. They work in cooperative groups to create a scroll that shows what takes place in each layer, and discuss why much of the activity is in the...
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How Is A Frog Able To Swim In The Trees?
Fourth graders explore the interdependence of frogs and trees. They discuss the various things they need everyday to survive. Students select an animal from their local bioregion and research things that animal is dependent upon for...
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Inherited Traits
Students work with a partner to complete an inventory of their traits and compare and discuss their unique qualities. In this biology lesson plan, students determine percentages for the frequency of observed traits of classmates, compile...
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Japanese Collage
Seventh graders compare and contrast different types of art associated with different cultures. They identify how cultures express their values in art. They create their own collage about Japan.
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Comparing Mitosis with Meiosis
Life science learners view an online animated mini textbook comparing two types of cell division. Working in groups, they use a digital microscope to capture images of cells in different stages of mitosis and meiosis. Then they create an...
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The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry
With The Great Kapok Tree, by Lynne Cherry as the hook learners discuss the rainforest, the animals that live there, and conservation efforts. Then, students write a letter to the man in the story asking him not to cut down the Kapok...
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Plants: Scattering Seeds
Students collect and microscopically examine seeds from the school yard and neighborhood. In small groups, they draw and discuss the shapes of the seeds to determine each plant's method of dispersal. they also test two types of seeds...
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Invertebrates
Middle schoolers examine invertebrates. In this animal classification instructional activity, students discuss invertebrates and bilateral symmetry. They discuss the importance of horse shoe crabs in medical science.
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Seed Search
First graders examine seeds. In this fruits and vegetables lesson, 1st graders determine what fruits and vegetables have in common. Students cut open fruits and vegetables and examine their seeds. Students describe the sizes, shapes and...
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Understanding Science Vocabulary and Categorization
Students analyze scientific vocabulary words. In this life science vocabulary activity, students complete a worksheet using VisualThesaurus as they evaluate words related to plants and animals and how the words are used.
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Chicago: The City in Art, 1995-2000
Students examine a mural of animals and talk about animal classification. They act as scientists and keep a record, called a Jungle Journal, of plants and animals they observe while studying the rainforest.
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Rock, Paper, Scissors - Dominant and Recessive Traits from Parent to Offspring
Fifth graders understand the meaning of dominant and recessive. In this dominant and recessive traits lesson, 5th graders participate in a game and record results on a chart. Students relate experiment to genes. Students describe plants...
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Fossil Lab
In this fossil worksheet, students are given fossils and an identification key. They write their scientific names and common names. They also answer questions about fossils.
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Mountains: A Drama Exploration
Learners dramatize the formation of mountains. In this earth formation dramatization lesson, students read Anne Issacs', Swamp Angel, and research the how the layers of the Earth move to form landforms. They work in groups to dramatize...
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Searching for life
Learners explore the possibility of life on Mars and what that might look like. In this planetary lesson students complete several activities on looking for life on Mars.
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Freshwater Habitats
Students take samples from local freshwater sources and examine them for macroinvertebrate life. They take samples from both shallow and deep freshwater environments, measure temperatures, and classify organisms found in their samples.
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"Garden Springs Gardeners"
First graders ponder the question of how plants help their lives. They observe and compare properties of several different plants. Differentiate between living organisms and nonliving objects.
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Aquatic Organisms and Their Habitats
Middle schoolers investigate the presence of specific organisms in a freshwater habitat to determine the quality of that habitat. They conduct a field study and distinguish and classify organisms found during the field study.
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Specialty Crop Production/Orchids
Twelfth graders explore the fascinating world of orchid production including propagation, care, culture, and finishing. They complete market research and design a production schedule for an orchid crop of their choice. They write a short...
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Dwellings - The Message of Houses and Their Contents, 1780-1820
Eleventh graders explore how architectural styles of the times reflected the economic status and taste of the individuals who owned the houses and how changes in the landscape and in material wealth reflect changes in technology and in...