National Wildlife Federation
Night Friends - American Bats
Bats are a misunderstood species. Pupils learn about the characteristics of bats in a three-part lesson. They begin by examining the adaptations of different types of bats, then explore the misconceptions humans have about the species....
Disney
Where Do Brown Bears Live?
What do brown bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park need to survive? Pupils explore the unique habitats, diet, and survival needs of this animal. They predict the consequences of removing any integral part of the bear's survival,...
National Wildlife Federation
Habitat Hunt
Put yourselves in their shoes—or, in this case, their paws. Learners assume the role of an animal and scan a habitat looking for features to fulfill their basic needs. Based on their findings, they decide if the habitat is a suitable...
McGraw Hill
Arthropods
Are spiders related to crabs? Study the order of arthropods with a reading selection about animal diversity. It provides details about each class within the order, as well as vivid pictures and explanatory charts.
K5 Learning
All About Bears
Want to know all about bears? Read a passage about the way they look, how they live, and their lifestyles. The reading passage is followed by questions that ask what baby bears are called and in what ways some bears are different,...
Purdue University
The Great Clearcut Controversy
Urban development and habitat retention are often at odds. A three-part lesson examines the pros and cons of forest clearcutting. Learners review data and characteristics of a specific mammal to make conclusions about the effect...
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Schoolyard Biodiversity Investigation Educator Guide
In 1980, in the tropical rainforests of Panama, scientists discovered 1,200 species of beetles living in and around just 19 trees, with most of the species new to science—that's biodiversity! In the activity, learners work in teams to...
Science Matters
That’s An Otter Story
Young scientists discover how sea otters' habitats have changed due to human impact. Through conversation, video observation, and story reading, scholars identify how human interactions change a specific ecosystem in both positive and...
Curated OER
Animals & Their Habitats
In this animal habitats learning exercise, students list animals and their habitats. Students then draw their favorite animal in the provided space.
Curated OER
Brown Bear Phonics
Students listen to Brown Bear, Brown Bear and imitate the style of Eric Carle in writing a sentence. In this writing lesson, students use the beginning and ending sounds of words to write an Eric Carle type sentence. ...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Night Hike
Learners explore Upham Woods at night and investigate about the special adaptations of nocturnal animals. They identify three nocturnal animals and how they are adapted to the night. Students explain what night vision is and how it works.
Curated OER
Critters in Your Own Backyard
Learners identify various animals and their habitats, as well as their specific traits In this animal habitat lesson, students list animals they've seen in their backyard. Learners select one animal and do research. Students then answer...
Curated OER
Getting through the day duck style
Middle schoolers are introduced to how animals (and ourselves) cope with daily life. They discover that living things need certain conditions to survive. Students investigate how living things (including ourselves and a duck) have...
Curated OER
Dependence and Interdependence
Third graders explore the dependence and interdependence that plants and animals in every environment have on one another. They examine how plants and animals depend on each other for survival. Students complete a variety of experiments...
Curated OER
Marine Habitats of Galveston Island
Four lessons introduce elementary ecologists to salt marsh and sandy beach habitats. In the first instructional activity, they place shells and other materials in vinegar to determine if they contain calcium carbonate. In the second...
BBC
Sorting and Using Materials
First and second graders see that everyday objects are made from a variety of materials. They interact with objects such as keys, plastic spoons, a wooden ruler, a towel, and a plastic bag. A discussion ensues which leads them to...
BBC
Ourselves
Young biologists identify parts of the body, sort humans from other animals, and list the difference they see. Learners are split up into groups of three, and each group must find pictures in magazines of humans and other animals. They...
Curated OER
Where Do We Live?
Second graders investigate various types of habitats. In this habitat exploration lesson, 2nd graders view a PowerPoint presentation on habitats and explore websites to gather more information. Students choose a habitat to focus on and...
Curated OER
Sharing Our Knowledge
Students evaluate their participation in an animal welfare service project. In this animal welfare lesson, students reflect upon their experience by using their feelings and descriptions in their writing. Students share their experiences.
Curated OER
Water, Water Everywhere (Pond Animals)
Second graders examine the characteristics of animals who live in a pond environment. In groups, they describe the various stages in the life of a frog and identify the characteristics of other pond animals. Using this information,...
Curated OER
Animal Signs
Young scholars discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track animals. They participate in an hands-on activity in which they examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat"...
Curated OER
Move it Like An Animal
Students investigate how animals move. In this animals lesson, students use pictures of animals and demonstrate how each of them moves from place to place.
Curated OER
A Walk in the Wild
Fifth graders identify characteristics of animals and their habitat. In this animal science instructional activity, 5th graders read Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking and and Animal Tracks. Students match animal tracks to the correct...