Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders engage in some activities that will help them to identify erosion and explain the causes of erosion. They also look into ways that humans can slow the process of erosion in some cases. After a teacher-led demonstration,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution

For Teachers 5th
Here is a fine lesson for fifth graders that will give them an idea of the variety of impacts that human-introduced pollutants have on the environment. After an initial class discussion and teacher-led demonstration, pupils brainstorm...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Habitat Fragmentation

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discuss the loss of animal habitats and the importance of refuge areas for them. They collect small pictures of animals found in their state and glue them to an outline of their state according to their range. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biomes and Plant Growth

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders design four biomes models and plant three types of seeds in them to observe growth. In groups for each type of biome, they predict the seeds' growth in each of the settings. Students follow the conditions on a biome chart...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity Activity

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars are introduced to biodiversiy. They use a simulation of two forests, one planted with only Douglas Fir trees, and one with diverse species of trees. Students also use the simulation of two forests, one a monoculture of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Arizona's Biotic Communities Lesson 1: Mapping Biotic Communities

For Teachers 6th - 10th
As part of a unit on Arizona's biotic communities, young ecology learners create a map. They describe how humans and animals adapt in their habitat. They take notes and create graphic organizers from articles they read. Beautiful maps,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chain

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the concept of food chains. In this food chain lesson, 4th graders discuss what different animals eat and how they are all connected. Students explore a garden and the environment around them to find examples of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visual Vocabulary

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students interpret and name the vocabulary termed acted out by the mime. In this science/language arts/physical education lesson, students are given a set of vocabulary terms to discuss within their group. Next, students place all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in the Water? - Stream Side Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Here is a complete activity in which young biologists or ecologists test the pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and temperature of stream water. The class visits an actual stream and makes observations of the site. They use scientific...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Use Concept Maps to Teach the Transfer of Energy

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Practical tips, lessons, and ideas for teaching the transfer of energy.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

Welcome to the Dzanga-Sangha

For Students 6th - 12th
One ecosystem is home to numerous habitats—how diverse are they? Pupils interact with an online lesson to explore three habitats in a rain forest ecosystem. They discover connections between species and how they depend on each other for...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Food Web II

For Students 3rd - 4th
Young ecologists are shown a picture of eight animals and two plants. On another piece of paper, they are asked to construct a food web that includes the animals pictured. They must also identify the producers, consumers, herbivores,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chains

For Teachers 4th
Learners take a look at the relationship between organisms in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids. After an opening demonstration by the teacher, pupils are split up into groups. Each one is assigned an environment such as:...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Endangered Marine Turtles

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students work in groups and experience what it is like to be a hatchling marine turtle by playing a board game.  In this endangered marine turtles lesson, students research the threats to marine turtle hatchlings. Students then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do We Need to Wear a Rainhat? Acid Rain: Causes, Effects, and Possible Solutions

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Acid rain, and how it affects the environment, is the focus of this Earth science lesson. During the study, learners evaluate measures to reduce acid rain, and design an investigation to demonstrate the conection between a hypothesis and...
Activity
National Wildlife Federation

Links in the Chain of Life

For Teachers 6th - 12th
A small little ant can have a large impact on its ecosystem. Young researchers explore the different species that live in a plains ecosystem. They find the characteristics of several species and then compare species to determine how...
Lesson Plan
University of California

Energy and Biomass Pyramids

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
Young scientists play tag as they act out the food pyramid in the ocean ecosystem. Energy circles pass from the smaller prey to the predators and at the end of the activity, a data chart and analysis questions allow pupils to apply their...
Assessment
1
1
Chicago Botanic Garden

Unit 3 Pre-Test, Grades 7–9

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
Earth's systems respond to changes in environments in all types of ways including migration, extinction, adaptation, immigration, and emigration to name a few. Part one in a series of seven is a pre-test consisting of 14 questions. Some...
Unit Plan
Purdue University

Ashes to Ashes: We All Grow Up

For Teachers K - 5th
Ecosystems are constantly changing whether people notice or not. An inquiry-based lesson examines types of ecosystem changes and how they relate to wildlife conservation. Learners classify changes as succession and disturbance using a...
Activity
PBS

All Tangled Up

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
It is a tangled web the ecosystem weaves. Learners begin an activity on ecosystem interactions by building a food chain and then a food web with yarn as a group. To finish, they research local environmental changes that may impact the...
Activity
PBS

Out and About

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Field guides are a like a window into an ecosystem. Young scientists collaborate to create their own field guides by recording observations from a local ecosystem. Ideally, they collect information over time to create a more complete...
Activity
Curated OER

Introduction to Watsonville Wetlands

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Identify the different plants and animals found in wetlands, your class will explain the importance of wetland ecosystem and locate the different wetlands in their area.
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Habitat Web

For Teachers K - 6th
It's all connected. Classes create a web to connect living things in a local ecosystem. They create cards with both living and nonliving things found in their areas while considering the characteristics of each. After they have a good...
Lesson Plan
ARKive

Human Impact on the Environment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Study the ways that humans have impacted the environment, particularly the spread of plastic waste. After watching a short film about the Laysan albatross population, learners complete a worksheet and research other ways that plastic...

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