Virginia Department of Education
Cell Parts
What do a bird, an egg, a rabbit, and a toad all have in common? This fun-filled resource explains the similarities and differences between cells and how all cells are similar, yet all are different. Learners begin by depicting a...
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The Effects of Environment on Plant Growth: Selecting Seeds for Survival on a New Planet
Fifth graders conduct experiments to compare seed germination and plant growth rates. They construct a hydroponic plant unit and a lighthouse. They care for the plants for a month and collect data for graphs. They write a report.
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Ourselves
Students use a website to name and compare external body parts of humans and other animals.
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Estuarine Habitats
Sixth graders study the important habitats, flora, fauna, and physical factors of coastal habitats. They compare the aquatic habitats to terrestrial habitats by researching and completing tables with the information.
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Characteristics of Snakes and Turtles
Students examine the characteristics of snakes and turtles and compare/contrast reptiles with mammals. They watch a video, answer discussion questions, complete information charts, conduct Internet research, and create a habitat diorama.
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Now You Have It, Now You Don't
Students compare shipping peanuts made from corn and made from Styrofoam. In this corn based peanuts lesson plan, students understand why to use eco-friendly materials for packing. Students participate in an experiment to compare the...
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Relationships and Biodiversity Lab
In this relationships and biodiversity learning exercise, students investigate the relationships between 4 plants sample using 7 different tests. These include looking at structural characteristics of the plants, seeds and stems, using...
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Changing With the Tide
Students describe three different aspects or life forms of the salt marsh. They compare and contrast the low and high marsh. Students explain what happens in different areas of the marsh at low and high tide; and explain the roles...
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DNA Extraction Lab
Students extract DNA and test for its presence from unroasted (raw) wheat germ using a prescribed procedure. They modify the procedure to provide a less expensive, easier method. They also extract DNA from different available plant,...
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Graze Like a Cow
Students explore how a cow digests the grass they eat. In this science/math lesson plan, students compare the quality of forage. Additionally, students determine the effects of rangeland health on the production.
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The Marsh Land as a Changing Environment
Sixth graders continue their examination of the state of Connecticut. After taking a field trip, they identify the types of birds, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates who make their home in the salt marshes. In groups, they identify...
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Starfish
Young scholars explore the concept of starfish. For this starfish lesson, students identify the parts of a starfish and how their body works. Young scholars create a starfish using paint and a cornmeal mixture. They then glue...
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Terrestrial Forests vs. Kelp Forests
Middle schoolers discuss concept and specificity of habitats, both marine and terrestrial, list similarities and differences in the habitats of a kelp forest and a terrestrial forest, compare types of organisms that occupy corresponding...
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Fatty Acids
Identify the properties of fats and lipids. Compare the properties of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids Identify foods containing triglycerides and identify which foods contain saturated and unsaturated fat Discuss the function of...
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Water Quality: Water Filtration
Students build a water filtration system. In this water quality lesson plan, students work in groups to construct water filtration units that can purify contaminated water. This lesson plan is part of a larger unit on water quality.
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Minerals
Students apply rules to compare and rank the hardness and softness of minerals. They perform a scratch test on four unknown mineral samples, read a bar graph that illustrates the comparative hardness and softness of four named minerals,...
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Wonderful World of Bats
Students create a book about bats. They write a letter to a scientist containing questions about bats. They compare the socialization of bats to humans; compare the needs of bats to humans and other animals.
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Fossil Formation Fun
Students compare the three types of fossils: preserved organisms, mineral replacement fossils, and impression fossils. They create a model of amber,
sponge fossil, and make traces of fossil.
Michigan Sea Grant
Food Web II
A food web consists of complex food chains and the more complex the web, the better likelihood of survival. Learners compare and contrast food webs and food chains and discuss concepts like the predator-prey and consumer-producer...
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What Were Dinosaurs Like?
Students view a video clips about Dinosaurs. In this dinosaur instructional activity, students begin to understand the extinction of the dinosaurs by comparing them to contemporary animals. Students complete a research sheet on one...
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Rocks and Soil
Middle schoolers explore the physical properties of rocks. They explore the three different types of rocks and are able to compare and contrast their different properties. Students simulate the creation of sedimentary rock, they also...
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NGA Kids Inside Scoop Spring 2007
Students become familiar with the work of Claude Monet and his garden paintings. For this Monet lesson, students compare the garden works of Claude Monet. Students examine pictures for the colors in his paintings. Students...
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What Were Dinosaurs Like?
Students compare and contrast dinosaurs to animals that are alive today through basic research.
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Structure and Function of Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy and why people give. They investigate the importance of the tulip to Holland and the tradition of giving flowers away. They begin to explore the life cycle of tulips and dissect a bulb...