Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caterpillar Camouflage

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students list animals, plant parts, and reasons for caterpillars to camouflage themselves. In this animal and plant adaptations lesson plan, students also play a game where they use colors as camouflage.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unique Plants of the Biomes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how the earth is divided into different biomes that are characterized by a distinctive climate.  In this earth's surface lesson plan students identify adaptations of plants in specific biomes. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Explorers

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate how plants take in water, nutrients, and light. They create artwork showing how plants survive in different environments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patterns and Adaptations in Plants and Animals

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders conduct research about some of the regions of Texas. They compare plants and animals to identify different adaptations. The statistics of survival rates are measured for changes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Desert Xeriscaping

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize native species of desert vegetation while examining the need for water conservation. They design and create a xeriscape landscape using a variety of materials.
Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Amazing Arthropods

For Teachers 3rd
Arthropods are the stars of a fine science lesson. Learners look at the diversity, characteristics, adaptations, and important roles that these insects play in the Sonoran Desert environment. A terrific document called "Amazing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning From Leaves: Adaptation Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students participate in an adaptation scavenger hunt at. They obtain various plant specimens, and sort the plants based on whether they came from a desert, tropical rainforest, or wetlands.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Terrestrial Communities

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students watch a video about different terrestrial communities. They conduct an experiment with sponges conserving water. They research desert characteristics comparing them with other biomes.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Biomes of the World

For Students 4th - 5th
In this biomes instructional activity, students read an article on biomes and answer 10 multiple choice, short answer or true and false questions relating to biomes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Pollinator Garden

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students build a pollination garden. In this pollination lesson, students read directions and build a pollinator garden that will produce flowering plants for pollinator organisms to use in pollination of other plants.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drama in the Salt Marsh

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to the various organisms that live in a salt marsh. They recognize adaptations of organisms that live in the salt marsh. Pupils review concepts of the ecosystem and niche. Students explain the different roles...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecosystems and Climate

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine climatic effects on ecosystems. They plant tomatoes and observe the differences in plant growth with differences in light. They create picture collages of plants, animals, and insects found in each climate of the U.S.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning From Leaves: From Observation to Inference

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners examine the adaptation of plants to their environments. They analyze and observe the structure, shape, and internal structure of various leaves, and make inferences about the structures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Will Survive!

For Teachers 4th
The students will be given approximately five minutes to individually brainstorm general plant and animals adaptations that they already know about. The class will use these as a starting point to develop a KWL chart specific to desert...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mini-Ecosystems

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use plastic bottles to create terrariums and plant Venus Flytraps. They observe the plants and the terrariums for illustrations of the water cycle and species' adaptations to a specific environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun and Shade

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore the ways that plants adapt to their environments. They examine plants that thrive in the shade, versus plants that thrive in direct sunlight. Special attention is devoted to the shape of leaves on respective sun and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Biomes of South America

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete a five-week unit investigating the eight major biomes of South America. They conduct Internet research, collect short-term and long-term climate data, and create a HyperStudio slideshow stack about a selected biome...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Web of Life

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Pupils collect information about various organisms in a forest ecosystem and create a mural that depicts organism interdependence. They then simulate a food web using a ball of string.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Ones, the Study of the Anasazi

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore relationships between man and nature. They examine the culture of the Anasazi and the importance of the natural resources around them. Students examine reasons for Anasazi people to leave this area.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovery Science Center Activities

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a variety of experiments to meet science goals.  In this life sciences lesson, 4th graders make yogurt, discover the attraction of opposite charges in electricity, learn the effects of glaciers, and explore...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Putting Down Roots

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, in small groups, observe plants and note their characteristics. After drawing pictures of the plants, including their roots systems, they hypothesize in which environments the plants would best thrive. Finally, 4th...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Arabian Camel or Dromedary

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this camel learning exercise, students study the diagram for an Arabian camel otherwise known as a dromedary. Students read the characteristics of the animal and may click on associated links to learn more.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Insect Biology and Ecology: A Primer

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore insects and closely related organisms. They examine the growth and development of a lady beetle. Students classify insects and organize them. They investigate pest management.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cavern Life

For Teachers K - 12th
Students describe elements and conditions that effect cavern life. They explain the three cavern zones and the differences of each zone. They perform various activities based on grade level.