Students participate in a nature walk to learn about their natural environments. In this nature study instructional activity, students brainstorm a list of things to look for on their nature walk. Students go on the nature walk and...

Seventh graders use their observation and measurement skills to identify trees. Using a tree diagram, they label the parts and discuss the functions of the tree. They practice using a dichotomous key to identify trees as well.

Students are introduced to the process of photosynthesis. In groups, they test the effects of the lack of sunlight on plant leaves and compare the results with their hypothesis. They note the characteristics that plants and animals share...

Sift through soil and learn about why it's important for organic processes. After discussing what makes up soil, such as the living organisms and what types of soil have more nutrients, kids sample layers of mulch and deeper soil to...

Students practice safety rules and knowledge of the road by going through a driving course using scooters/bicycles/tricycles, etc.

Students make their own predictions about the amount of different types of birds at each site before they go there. In groups, they collect the bird data and compose letters to their pen pals sharing their information. To end the lesson,...

High schoolers participate in a simulation activity where they must decide whether or not to preserve an untouched forest. During the role play, students attend public hearings, discuss the pros and cons of nature development, create...

Students measure their shadows early in the morning, record direction of shadow, make marks in ground with chalk or tape, measure with ruler, and record results. Students repeat process at noon, and then later in afternoon. Students...

Students identify animal tracks outdoors. In this animal life lesson, students go outdoors and find several different animal tracks to identify. Students also discuss how animals must adapt in the winter months.

Students play a game in physical education class to examine how a deer survives. Using nature as a guide, they discover how it is constantly changing due to weather, food, water, pollution and predators. They discuss the characteristics...

Students identify heartwood, sapwood, and a tree's annual rings, infer from a tree's rings what damage or stress might have occurred in its life, and make a time-line of human history that coincides with a tree's rings.

Learners investigate the decomposition process. In this ecology lesson, students participate in a play, "Up the Treehouse" where the main idea focuses on a decomposing tree and how food chains are effected by decomposition. After the...

Seventh graders identify and examine a deciduous and coniferous tree. Using the descriptions, they discover the types of tress in their local area. As a class, they practice identifying trees on a walk in a park collecting leaves. They...

Third graders examine the concept of ecology and how animals are suited to their habitats. In this animal adaptation instructional activity, 3rd graders identify a variety of plants and animal species that live in a Beech forest.Students...

Students review what they already know about birds. Using the internet, they discover major issues involved with birds in Illinois. In groups, they determine what they can do to help them and contact a local agency.

Students engage in a fun stand up, move around activity that teaches some basics of geography. They develop concepts of distance between community locations and practice giving and taking directions in an organized manner.

Does the angle of a solar panel change the output? Emerging engineers find out! Demonstrate for your class how they can angle a straw to match the angle of light rays coming from a source. Then turn them loose to experiment with the...

High schoolers review or introduce personal safety concepts in a variety of areas common to the lives of students.

Students participate in a physical outdoor activity in order to develop individual and group trust. In this interpersonal relationship lesson, students play attempt to find hidden objects in the dark. Students must trust their...

Students participate in a disc golf game. They throw the flying disc to each hole/cone on the course, completing various fitness tasks and monitoring their heart rate on a heart rate monitor.

Students participate in a number of different lessons with the intention of improving skills to play handball. Each lesson focuses on a certain skill like strokes and serves. The skills have a progression of difficulty until the student...

Middle schoolers broken into teams try to score a touchdown having to get through another team first. They have flags and change positions many times throughout the game.

Students practice and assess the overhand throw of students. They overhand throw balls at the earthball and make it roll across another side of the square, all while keeping the ball from rolling across their own line.

Students explore wildlife plants and summer activities. In this natural science lesson, students identify plants and animals and create a scrapbook of their findings.