Curated OER
A Lesson in Biodiversity: Making Comparisons Between Defensive Mechanisms Utilized by Marine Organisms
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...
Scholastic
Playing it Safe
Take a look at some special animal defenses that marine creatures use by asking learners to complete this learning exercise. Pupils look at the drawing and match each animal to a description of its attribute. Learners then draw and name...
Curated OER
Create a New Animal
Students understand what physical adaptations are and how they help an animal to survive. In this adaptations lesson, students research four animals and then make an original animal that has adaptations to make them survive.
Curated OER
Raven Chapter 54 Guided Notes: Community Ecology
Providing a sweeping overview of population and community interactions, this ecology instructional activity gets learners thinking. They differentiate between habitat and niche, describe and give exemplars of various animal and plant...
Curated OER
The Sharp Adaptations of Porcupines
In this porcupine worksheet, students learn about how porcupines adapt to their lives in the woods and how they use their quills. After reading a short text and analyzing the labeled pictures, students answer 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Bird Beak Adaptation Lab
Middle schoolers investigate bird beaks to determine which physical adaptations are necessary based on the types of food the birds eat. They participate in a lab by visiting multiple stations to determine which beaks are most efficient,...
American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Staying Safe
Amaze the class with the creative adaptations species employ to trick predators. An online interactive lesson introduces learners to six different species with unique adaptations. Each species highlights a different adaptation and its...
American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Reproduction
Attracting the right mate is as important for humans as any other species. An interesting lesson teaches individuals about several strategies that animals and plants have adapted to attract their mates. From colorful nests to powerful...
Curated OER
Zoo Habitat Design
Students design a zoo habitat for an animals. In this zoo habitat activity, students develop an idea for a zoo habitat that would meet the needs of a specific animal. They solve problems that might be encountered by using their knowledge...
Curated OER
Adaptations To the Environment
Students design and construct an imaginary animal that is perfectly adapted to a particular type of biome. They give the animal a scientific name, place it in a phylum and write descriptions about its behavior, reproduction, foraging,...
Curated OER
Birds & Caterpillars
In this biology worksheet, learners explain the use of camouflage as a defense mechanism. Then they list examples of insects that use camouflage to protect them from predators. Students also identify and name other types of defense...
Curated OER
Related Lessons Animal
Learners examine the extinction of dinosaurs. In this dinosaur lesson students create their own dinosaur eggs, get into groups and complete a diorama activity.
Curated OER
Invent an Invertebrate
Design a new organism with recyclable art materials! After learning about the coastal biome, learners brainstorm challenges that a plant or animal may face. They use their ideas to create a creature, complete with environmental...
Curated OER
The Amazing Octopus
Students design imaginary animals that are able to blend into their backgrounds. In this biology lesson plan, students will learn the importance of camouflage in protecting animals from predators. Students will select a peer to act as...
PBS
Righteous Reptiles
Young scientists write and draw about their knowledge of reptiles. They also view a nature video focusing on lizards and snakes, complete a chart comparing and contrasting them. Next, they focus on the defense mechanisms that they...
Intel
Insects: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
What would the world be like with no insects? Ponder this question using a research-based STEM unit that encourages scholars to investigate insects from both a beneficial and hazardous perspective. They learn about insect behaviors,...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Winogradsky Columns: Microbial Ecology in the Classroom
Winogradsky columns are ideal for observing the role of bacteria and other microorganisms in an ecosystem. This student activity guide is complete with data tables for observations and analysis questions for processing what was observed....
Curated OER
Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Marine Ecology
Middle schoolers 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.
Curated OER
Using Description to Write in Science
Fifth graders use science process and thinking skills. They communicate effectively using science language and reasoning.
Curated OER
Who Says Plants Can't Move?
Students discover how plants spread their seeds using other plants and animals. In this plant activity, students role play different plants and how their seeds travel. Students then have a class discussion to ensure their understanding.
Curated OER
Who Eats Whom in the Salt Marsh?
Seventh graders complete a virtual online salt marsh tour. In groups, they observe and identify the various types of animals found in the marsh. After categorizing the animals, they create a food web based on the animals role in the...
Curated OER
Critter Encounter Chart
Students record data found at an assigned web site. In this data collection instructional activity, students access an assigned web site in order to complete a data chart about animals they see. They travel to different sections of the...
Curated OER
Creatures That Glow In The Night
Students investigate the different bioluminescent organisms. They use microscopes in order to make observations and draw what is seen. Students demonstrate they have studies the differences between the process of photosynthesis and...