Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invertebrate Classification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the recent disovery of the "furry lobster" to peak interest in the animal kingdom. They classify various speciments using invertebrate dichotomous keys, identifying major animal phyla and classes. Thy the complete...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Taxonomic Key and Local Trees

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars gain an understanding of the science of taxonomy and how it is used in classifications. They use an identification key and construct a key of their own. They identify tagged trees on the school property with their lab...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sort Laboratory Practice

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders sort animals according to certain physical characteristics. In this science lesson, 8th graders explain the reason for such classification. They complete a worksheet individually at the end of the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Evolution: Biology, Bones

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Learners will love a weeks worth of bone study. They use bones and characteristics of bones to explore the evolution of hominoids. Bones are compared, categorized, and considered. A great way to bring physical anthropology and material...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bug's Eye View

For Teachers K - 5th
Investigate the life of bugs and how they interact with the environment in this integrated science and language arts instructional activity. Young scientists construct mini environments in cages in order to make observations. This data...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Holy Starbucks Batman

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate caffeine as a potential new pollutant in a northwest river system. Effects of caffeine on invertebrates and salmon fry will be explored through field work and lab work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chick Embryology

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate techniques that can be used to observe the development of the chick embryo. They explore the environment in which the chick develops and how it can be manipulated.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Insects?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners classify animals. In this insects and bugs lesson, students discuss the characteristics of insects and other closely related animals such as spiders, ticks and centipedes. Learners talk about the differences between insects and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

INSECTS

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders select, collect, and classify various insects by constructing an apparatus from materials that aid in the capture and containment of the insect.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Steppin' Out: Using Inquiry to Challente Alexander's Stride Analysis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers distinguish between walking, jogging and running trackways in humans. They analyze the phylogenetic progression of the leg position as described by pace width and angulation, comparing amphibians, reptiles and mammals....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Get Specific

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how different species thrive.  In this speciation lesson students research and complete a lab activity.
Organizer
Curated OER

Relationships and Biodiversity Lab Practice

For Students 9th - 12th
In this biodiversity worksheet, students determine the relationship and complete the evolutionary tree for the plants listed. Students review genetic code and DNA sequencing. This worksheet has 1 graphic organizer, 8 multiple choice, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate Tectonic - Volcanoes Pre Lab

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders draw and compare parts of volcano. They investigate parts of a volcano and distinguish between magma and lava.
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

A Dichotomous Key of Virginia’s Native Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Can your class correctly classify plant species? Individuals explore native plants of the local environment and correctly classify them into their respective categories. They investigate differences in the plants and discuss similarities...
Lesson Plan
Captain Planet Foundation

Energy Flow in the Garden

For Teachers 4th
How can you tell what an owl has eaten? Study the food chain and flow of energy in an ecosystem by dissecting an owl pellet and noting the bones found inside. Additionally, the instructional activity includes a game about consumers and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Studying Aquifers in Outcrop

For Teachers Higher Ed
Pupils describe two or more different rock types found in outcrop. Students look specifically at the hydro-geologic properties of the rocks and complete the lab with a paper explaining a scientific phenomenon in layperson terms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glacial Geology in the Field

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine the origin of glaciers, how glacial sediments are deposited, and what sedimentary records of glaciation provide about source and process of glaciers in a field lab.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Floodplains in the Field

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students measure a topographic and geologic cross-section across a floodplain using simple surveying and auguring techniques in a field lab. Students also reconstruct the history of a river system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Assembling a Geologic History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers combine information from several field labs to construct an overall geologic history of the local region. They are able to use published reports of the geologic history as they compile their own version.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Arizona Hedgehog Cactus: Endangered Species or not?: Biology, Plants

For Teachers All
In this activity students will study the: "Classification of Echinocereus triglochidiatus and Geographical Ranges of its Varieties." Students read background material and scientific literature to analyze the cactus populations and then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Manga Mania

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars create a word web on the word "manga" through Internet research, which contains a vast array of information on the topic. They research and complete their word web, along with a classification chart, quiz, and crossword...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tornado

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the classification system of tornadoes.  In this tornado lesson students make their own tornadoes in different mediums.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galaxies

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore the structure and content of galaxies. Through discussion, lab, and hands-on activities, they discover the general structure of the three types of galaxies as well as the effect they have on the structure and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students examine and classify various types of rocks.  For this rock identification lesson, students complete a KWL chart about rocks and then read Let's Go Rock Collecting.  Students go on a walk to collect rocks and then...