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Charting Diversity
Students organize different species of plans and animals according to various characteristics. Students then determine what characteristics enable them to survive in their habitat. Game ideas and activities are included.
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The Biosphere
In this biosphere learning exercise, learners identify the different levels of organization that ecologists study. Students complete charts, sentences, and answer short answer questions.
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Blue Planet: Open Ocean
Students research facts about animal species. In this ocean lesson students view a video, prepare illustrated cards and create a food-web display.
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A Reef of Your Own
High schoolers study the reproductive strategies of reef building corals. In this coral reef instructional activity students describe the behaviors of reef building corals and their nutritional strategies.
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Spectacular Squid
Students study squid including what family they are in. In this exploratory lesson students view a video, answer questions and complete an activity on squid.
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Trail Adventure
Pupils create a trail with numbered specimens. Students complete an accurate and functional interactive trail activity brochure. They complete a web page tree identification guide and interactive identification activity. Pupils answer...
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Fruit Bingo
Students review their notes on fruit as provided by the teacher. They then play a game called Fruit Bingo to identify the different types of fruit and their classifications. Each student receivec a bingo card. Finally, students identify...
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Collecting Field Trip
Students identify and describe each marine habitat. They name organisms that can be found in each habitat and discover ways in which to protect them. They participate in an activity to complete the lesson.
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Studying the Great Depression Through Novels
Eighth graders view pictures of life in a small town during the Great Depression in Illinois to gain an understanding of living conditions during the era. They read novels based on life of this era.
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What Are Alternative Fuels? Concept Mapping Alternative Fuels Investigation
Middle schoolers compare and contrast the different types of alternative fuels. They create a concept map to understand their classification. They examine the properties of matter and energy as well.
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Peeled Trees Tell The Story
Students investigate the diversity of life that is found in Montana. They research some of the different interactions that organisms have with their environment. The lesson includes an extensive introduction for teacher information....
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The Coral Reef
Fourth graders discuss life in a coral reef, and view photographs and a computer program about coral reefs. They design and create colorful watercolor, ink, and crayon drawings of coral reefs.
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Microworlds in Waterways Around You Home
Students explore the concept that different waterways support different organisms. After completing experiments, students predict what life-forms exist in each waterway in their area. They research how humans impact the habitat of other...
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Territorial Behavior in Dragonflies and Damselflies
Young scholars explore dragonfiles/damselfiles and their behaviors. They examine their differences and their life cycles. Students observe the dragonflies in a field and determine the number of different species.
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Amazing Bird Adaptions--Why Am I A Bird?
Fourth graders identify and classify birds found in Illinois. Using the internet, they discover how birds have adapted over time and how the adaptations have increased their life span. They compare and contrast the various adaptations...
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Trash on Texas Beaches
Middle schoolers take a field trip to a local Texas beach. Using the trash and debris they find, they classify them based on specific criteria. In groups, they calculate the total for each category and determine the percentage of each...
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Questions - Appearances are Deceiving
Five evolution-related questions are answered by beginning biologists on a separate sheet of paper. First, they are asked to list adaptations that allow organisms to survive under various conditions. The second question refers to...
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The Trial of the Bloody Sucker
Students study creatures that drink blood. For this blood suckers lessons, students watch videos to learn about creatures that drink blood. Students divide into groups and make posters about the organisms. Students then participate in a...
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Polar Food Web Comparison
Seventh graders practice the evaluation component of the scientific method while comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences of the food chains and webs of polar animal life. They study about classification and ecology...
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Birds of Different Feathers: Species Specialization
Students identify differences in bird species and explain the concept of species specialization. They attain the knowledge that different birds occupy different habitats.
Students identify characteristics and features of birds that make...
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Clouds
Students write and illustrate a story on cloud formation and classification. They research cloud information on the internet to discuss the different types of clouds and when they form. They use this information to write a story about...
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Pheed the World: Edible Phyla
Students discuss the contributions of different organisms to our world. In this biology activity, students research countries with limited food supply. They create an improvement plan for a fictitious country assigned to them.
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Eco-Logical: A Coastal Logic Problem
Fourth graders study the characteristics of five coastal communities. They use logic cards and matching activities to identify the proper community for plant and animal species.
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Website Scavenger Hunt
Students use the internet to complete a species scavenger hunt. In groups, they answer questions given to them about sea lions, rockfish and killer whales. As a class, they identify any questions they have and discuss the role...