Curated OER
Plant Identification: New Jersey vs. Ecuador
Sixth graders discover the different plants that grow in different climates through specimen collections. In this botany lesson, 6th graders examine plants from both New Jersey and Ecuador and discuss what conditions could create such...
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America's Rain Forests Can It Be Real?
Students examine the attributes of unusual plants and animals before determining how they are adapted to specific habitat. They complete an associated worksheet. They make posters with information that they find during research sessions.
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Wetland Plant Detectives
Sixth graders identify plants in the wetlands. In this plant detectives activity, 6th graders complete a scavenger hunt on a local reserve, record observations, and respond in their journals.
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Alien Invasions!
Young scholars use video and Internet components, to gain an understanding of non-native invasive plants and animals and the ecological and monetary problems they cause.
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Extra! Extra!
Students describe how plants and animals depend on each other. They see how living and nonliving environments change over time. They identify ways in which humans have changed their environment and the effects of those changes.
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Creating a Pond Habitat
Students create a pond habitat inside and outside their classroom. In this pond lesson plan, students create a habitat with animals, water, and plants in order to create a proper pond habitat.
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Renewable Energy Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol
Students examine the role photosynthesis plays in plant survival. For this renewable energy lesson students document their observations and analyze and interpret their results.
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Galapagos - Discover the Diversity
Pretend you are exploring a newly discovered species of fish in the Galapagos. Your budding marine biologists access FishBase Database's list of marine/brackish fishes and choose one to research. The link through this website does not...
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Wetland Transects
Young scholars lay out transect lines beside a local stream or river. There they record species of plants and insects living around the stream. By doing so, students explore how to use transect sampling techniques, use a variety of...
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Taking Count of Biodiversity
Here is a well-designed activity on biodiversity that should intrigue your charges. In it, pupils compare a natural desert area to a school field to see how habitat destruction affects species diversity. Groups set up transects and...
Desert Discoveries
The Sonoran Desert
Elementary schoolers study the geographic location of the Sonoran Desert. They pay close attention to the characteristics of the plants and animals found in this desert environment. The student handouts embedded in this plan are...
Curated OER
Endangered Biomes
Students compare data from two proposed strategies on how ot best preserve the diversity of plants and animals. They complete a worksheet and share theirviews with the rest of the class.
Desert Discoveries
Amazing Arthropods
Arthropods are the stars of a fine science instructional activity. Learners look at the diversity, characteristics, adaptations, and important roles that these insects play in the Sonoran Desert environment. A terrific document called...
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Sustainability and Extinction
Galapagos Penguins are the only penguins on earth that live north of the equator (in the wild). In this last lesson plan a discussion on how the Galapagos islands developed their populations and diversity sparks the introduction. Two...
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MEET A PLANT - UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!
Students sharpen their observation and inquiry skills. They participate in a guided observation process that helps them focus on plant characteristics as a way to enhance both their appreciation and their knowledge of plants, plant...
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Diversity/ Organisms Word Search Puzzle
In this literacy learning exercise, students practice looking for the words that are related to the idea that is focused upon in the sheet. The skill of spelling is used and vocabulary increases.
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Growing a Lawn
Students research plant growth. In this plant growth lesson, students explore the needs of plants. Students compare and contrast grass and broadleaf plants and grow a miniature lawn in a cup of soil. Resources are provided.
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The Great Pollinators
Students discover the reproductive parts of a plant. In this biology lesson, students identify and categorize several different plants they dissect in class. Students record their information using a data chart.
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Photosynthesis
We all know photosynthesis happens, but why should we care? Here is a unit that covers everything young scholars need to know about photosynthesis. Hands-on activities, assessments, and lectures guide pupils though the physiology of a...
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Discovering the Wetlands!
Students name wetland plant and animal life. In this ecosystem lesson students go birdwatching and interpret native plants through art.
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Amazon Rainforest Conservation, Brazil
Students explore rain forests. For this rain forest lesson, students participate in a "BioBlitz" of their schoolyard, observing and recording every living thing in a designated area. Students visit websites about rain forests to...
Rainforest Alliance
Colombia Biodiversity
How diverse is the rainforest? How much more diverse is a rain forest than a temperate forest? Explore these focus questions in a lesson that explores the plants, animals, and insects in forests. After listening to a reading about...
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Bugs in the Woods
Second graders identify insects and plants in the forest ecosystem in a structured field trip with stations and activity booklets. In this bugs lesson, 2nd graders explore the ecosystem of the forest, complete the booklet and play the...
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Diversity of Life
Students study fungi and its characteristics. For this fungi lesson students collect and observe fungi then answer questions on what they saw.