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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Fires

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the benefits and problems associated with fire. They discuss the role that fire plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Students brainstorm ways that fire can be harmful, such as damaging homes, communities, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Your Ecosystem Grow?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students consider that under certain conditions in nature tend to remain the same or move toward a balance. They observe populations and determine the functions (e.g., de-composers, producers, consumers) they serve in an ecosystem. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visualizing Vocabulary in an Ecosystem

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders observe the pond ecosystem. In this ecosystem lesson plan, 6th graders observe the organisms at the pond and create a poster that illustrates the pond.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Ecosystems - Lessons 1 and 3

For Students 9th - 10th
In this biology activity, students answer 22 multiple choice questions on ecosystem. They identify which ecosystem component is described in each of the question.
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Organizer
Curated OER

Student Exploration: Pond Ecosystem

For Students 7th - 8th
In this student exploration-pond ecosystem worksheet, students use the Pond Ecosystem Gizmo to measure oxygen concentrations and temperature and record the data on charts.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Flow and the Food Chain

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students complete discussions and worksheets about the Hawaiian food chain. In this food chain lesson plan, students research decomposers, consumers, and producers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Populations and Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the factors that influence the stability of ecosystems. They construct a miniature ecosystem in a jar that includes plants, small fish, and snails, record the population changes over a period of four weeks, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Populations and Ecosystems

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create a model of an ecosystem and label it to show structure and function. They research the food web of an aquatic animal and also trace energy flow from the primary producer up the food chain.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trophic Relationships, Cycling of Chemicals, Human Impact on Ecosystems and Conservation

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students explore how the energy flow through a system is related to trophic levels. They investigate how organisms affect the cycling of elements and water through the biosphere. Students participate in lab activities to observe ways...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Diversity and Distribution

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students construct a defined plot on school grounds and observed patterns in plant life. They count trees, shrubs, cacti and record on a data sheet. They compare data and generate a plant diversity overlook for their school.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

That Is Predictable

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the changes that can take place in an aquatic environment. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The research is used to report different possibilities of change because of abiotic or biotic factors.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Particles and Prairies Sampler

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore the prairie and Fermilab's reconstruction project. They observe the abiotic and biotic aspects of the prairie, the savannah and the aquatic environments of Fermilab. Students perform lab and field studies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecology and the Conservation of Natural Resources Lesson 2

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students compare and contrast abiotic and biotic factors. They discuss how these factors effect ecosystems. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Lesson in Biodiversity: Making Comparisons Between Defensive Mechanisms Utilized by Marine Organisms

For Teachers 5th - 8th
If your upper elementary or middle school marine biology learners are going to visit an aquarium, then here is a field trip activity guide for you. It is written specifically for The Maritime Aquarium, but the idea can be adapted to any...
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Heat Loss from a Fur-Insulated Animal

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How do animals adapt to weather changes? Provide your class with the ability to understand adaptations and body temperature as they participate in this hands on experiment, using fake fur and hot water. Pupils collect data and analyze...
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Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Seed Adaptations for Dispersal

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
After a grand conversation about seeds, adaptation, and dispersal, scholars work collaboratively to examine seeds and record their findings on a four-column chart.  Small groups share their observations and further discuss seed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organisms and Their Environment

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners explore Earth's biosphere. In this biosphere lesson plan, students participate in group activities regarding biotic and abiotic factors, population density, and species' habitats.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Math and Science in a Wetland

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars use scientific methods during field and lab investigations. Students collect specimens and make measurements using the metric system. Young scholars describe biotic and abiotic factors in an estuary and design a model.
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Ecosystems: A Home By Any Other Name

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students can learn more about the parts of ecosystems through exploration and hands on activities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SIM Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and interpret the concept of an ecosystem and the potential impact humans have on ecosystems. They also proficient in organized and methodical Internet searches. Finally, students become proficient with public...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Interactions Among Local Species and the Local Environment

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the differences between biotic and abiotic factors, explain the difference between habitat and niche and compare how organisms get their nutritional needs.  In this local environment lesson students trace the path of...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Organisms and Their Environment

For Students 5th - 12th
In this organisms and their environment worksheet, students will review concepts relating to ecological studies, levels of organization in ecology, and relationships between organisms in ecosystems. This worksheet has 10 fill in the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flowering Phenology: How Do Plants Know When to Flower?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students study the process of plant reproduction and the biotic and abiotic factors that affect flowering phenology. For this plant reproduction lesson, students describe the interaction of environmental factors as it relates to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecological Organization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain the impact of ecological organization. In this web-based lesson, students work through a series of activities to explain how biotic and abiotic interactions occur in ecosystems.