Students describe a forest as a living community. They determine members interact, and in many cases, depend on each other for their basic survival needs. They investigate how dependent the Native Americans were on the forest...

Students use various web sites to access information about the rain forest. They use the Tropical Rainforest Interactive CD to make their own rain forest pictures and stories and learn facts about the rain forest. They use various books...

Third graders examine the San Francisco oil spill and the effects it has had.  In this investigative instructional activity students view a demonstration on oil clean up and how it works.  They see how wildlife is...

Eighth graders observe and identify the different levels of the forest.  In this forest zones lesson students observe, identify and name a variety of forest components and describe how humans impact the forest ecosystem. 

Students examine the water cycle and the factors that interact with watersheds.  For this watersheds lesson students describe the purification process, trace the flow of infiltrate water through aquifers, and research the Internet...

Students develop an interactive diary to record bird seed consumption. In this habitat lesson, students predict and record the amount of birdseed eaten each week by birds.

Seventh graders list the features of an ecosystem and identify local bird species.  In this bird lesson plan students work in groups to formulate a hypothesis and test their theory by collecting and analyzing data. 

Encourage peer collaboration and assist with the creation of visual aids to identify carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles as your class learns more about nature. They discuss relative information, create a visual aid...

Go on a weed hunt! Scholars gain insight into the characteristics of plants and examine the outdoor environment in order to identify five different types of weeds. Learners then show what they know with a one-page reflection.

Strict habitat requirements are needed for the survival of fish populations and fish variety in the Great Lakes. Young scientists become experts in the basic needs of fish and understand how survival necessities can vary with different...

Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...

Students define adaptation and highlight example of adaptation in birds and other animals. They study feeding techniques of seabirds and investigate the effect that trash has on wildlife.

Students take a field trip to an old Christmas tree farm near their school. In groups, they gather data at the site and analyze the data in an attempt to discover what happened to the area. They identify human activities that led to the...

Students, in groups, visit an exhibit and for a prairie scavenger hunt to locate sunflowers and name products made from them. After sketching a prairie dog, they find nature cues farmers use when growing plants and raising animals. The...

Students examine the wilderness of New England. They create in their journals what they believe wilderness is.

Students are introduced to the unit on the importance of diversity of life and the role that interdependence plays in our worlds. this is part of a multi-lesson unit on the diversity of life.

Students complete a unit of lessons on animals and animal conservation. They observe a square meter of ground outside the school, set up a model environment, analyze an owl pellet, grow bread mold, and explore various websites.

Students engage in a literature study that helps students to connect with some of the issues of conservation. They list parts of the environment that need protection with the help of a graphic organizer. Then students discuss in groups...

Students research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations.  In this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class.  Students...

Eighth graders explore different ecosystems.  In this ecosystem survival lesson conditions lesson students create their own fictional creature.

Students explore and define ecosystem, ecology and habitat. They discuss abiotic and biotic organisms and the things needed for survival. After observing pictures of animals in their habitat, students compare and contrast habitats and...

Students review their prior knowledge on biomes and ecosystems. At a local Christmas tree farm, they work together in groups to identify the changes occuring in the area. They participate in solving a mystery in which they determine the...

In this organisms and their environment worksheet, students will review concepts relating to ecological studies, levels of organization in ecology, and relationships between organisms in ecosystems. This worksheet has 10 fill in the...

Students explore the interaction between the forest and wildlife. In this forestry instructional activity, students collect data about forest ecosystems, species of trees, photosynthesis, and interaction of organisms. They prepare a lab...