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Desert Tortoise Tale

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students listen to a reading of the "Desert Tortoise Tale" and complete a maze that highlights the different threats the baby tortoise faces along the way. They discuss the reasons the Desert Tortoise is becoming endangered.
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What If We Run Out?

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore the consequences of shrinking habitats and the human impact on wildlife populations. They participate in a game to study the consequences and describe the preservation of animal habitats.
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Energy: Exploring Alternative Forms

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In the study of science, there is always going to be research, data, theories and wonderful new discoveries. I feel that my interest about energy will help me design an adequate unit full of intrigue and discovery. The students should...
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Science: What Is the Carbon Cycle?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the carbon cycle while identifying its sources, sinks, and release agents. Using magazines and newspapers, groups of students design collages illustrating the carbon cycle. Finally, they write responses to several...
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Collecting Compost

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students observe a composting box. For this soil lesson, students create a composting bin by using a bin, newspaper, worms, and food scraps. Students create a composting food web.
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Lake Ice Out Lessons

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore the greenhouse effect.  In this environment lesson, students describe how "ice out" affects animals and plants who live in a Maine lake.  Students graph "ice out" data and make predictions about the upcoming...
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Vocabulary: Kansas Prairies

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore the ecosystem by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. In this environmental awareness lesson, students identify the differences between abiotic and biotic factors and their relationship to the Earth. Learners define...
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Earth

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the earth in relation to the solar system.  In this planetary lesson students complete several investigations into the measurement of the earth and its magnetic field.
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More Than a Campground

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a class disucssion on the term "habitat". The class brainstorms on what makes a national park special. In small groups, they research a a national park and create a mural depicting those factors that make...
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Colored Dots 1

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars observe that colored markers are a mixture of many different colors by performing a chromatography experiment. They make observations, record information, and make generalized inferences from their observations.
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Predator/Prey Relationship

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils study and analyze data collected on the relationship between the snowshoe hare and lynx in Canada over a 28 year period and create a graph. Students also write a response to a proposal to reduce the lynx population.
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My Habitat Address

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders draw a habitat and write about what they would need to survive in the habitat. They define the input of items such as materials, energy, and information, and what goes out of the habitat. They play a "Habitat Address" game,...
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Symmetry in Butterflies

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students create a butterfly displaying a mirror image of itself to show that it is symmetrical. In this symmetry lesson plan, students go over symmetry in different shapes and identify patterns in butterflies.
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Critters in the Classroom

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students investigate with sea urchins. In this ocean habitat instructional activity, students observe sea urchins and other ocean grazers. Students work with lab equipment to examine the anatomy of these creatures.
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A Rainbow Under the Sea: How Do Animals Survive in the Ocean?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders, with adult help, create a PowerPoint presentation on a selected ocean animal.
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Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students name the 4 seasons, discussing the weather, plant life, animal life and and activities of each. Students read the book titled, "Hello Arctic," and and discuss changes in seasons that accompany the story. Students complete...
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Biocomplexity Lab Activity: Measuring Turbidity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students measure turbidity and comprehend the effects of turbidity on aquatic life. They explain what a lake looks like after a heavy rainfall. Students comprehend that turbidity is a measure of the relative clarity of water.
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For Creative Minds

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study pictures of plants, animals, and minerals. Students classify the pictures into the three groups. In this rock identification lesson, students complete a rock finding lab experiment by finding, cleaning, identifying, and...
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Make Your Own Garden

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore gardening. In this Quiet in the Garden lesson plan, students read the picture book by Aliki and extend the lesson by taking part in up to 5 hands-on activities.
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A Dog Eat Dog World

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders distinguish between acquatic and terrestrial organisms. They label animals as producers, consumers, and/or decomposers.
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Land Associations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners identify and explore life forms of various biomes, define transitional regions, examine effects of abiotic and biotic interactions, research a biome, and produce newspaper that features environmental information. Lessons all on...
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Playground Pounding

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students view photographs depicting soil compression. They use soil and sponges to observe how soil can be compacted, and its implications.
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HAPPY SOIL, SAD SOIL

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students will be able to identify the characteristics of healthy soil and unhealthy soil.Take the class outside to an area of thick grass near trees, if available. Compare the clothes people wear to the thin cover. Discuss the reasons...
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Be Nice to Spiders Lesson Plan

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students share their own pages with the rest of the class while they learn about spiders. In this Be Nice to Spiders lesson plan, students learn how spiders are living creatures just like people.