Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section One: What is Biodiversity?
Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section Two: Why is Biodiversity Important?
Explore soil, genetic traits, natural resources, and pollution in a series of lessons that focus on biodiversity. Kids complete experiments to learn more about the importance of varied genes and organisms in an ecosystem.
Curated OER
Language Arts: GloFish - Illuminating Essays
Students research the genetically-engineered GloFish and write essays expressing their views about the subject. They evaluate the pros and cons of genetic engineering.Students may also hold a debate about genetic engineering.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Waterproof Genetically-Modified Rice
In this waterproof genetically modified rice worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer...
Curated OER
Genetics
Students explain the difference between dominant and recessive genes, identify what causes differences in the traits of parents and their offspring, and explain how sex is determined. They will also improve their reading and...
Field Museum
The Case of Darwin's Finches
One of the most striking pieces of evidence for Darwin's Evolution of Species was his observations of finches and how their beaks differed from island to island, depending on their primary food sources. So what would happen to the theory...
Curated OER
Twin Traits
Eighth graders explore the Nature vs. Nurture controversy and discover how variations in species is due to the interaction of genetic material. Students engage in a twin study experiment in this unit.
Curated OER
Swinging on a Star
Students explore the issues that might arise if humans were to go on an interstellar space mission. They synthesize their understanding of interstellar travel by writing scenes from a science fiction novel that would depict such a mission.
Curated OER
DESIGNER GENES: ONE SIE FITS ALL?
Students explore genetic engineering and issues related to risks and benefits of altering agricultural products.
Curated OER
Breaking News: GM Cows to Produce Human Breast Milk
Students explore current events by reading and analyzing an article in class. In this human diet lesson, students read an article about cows which are being genetically modified in order to produce human breast milk for consumption....
Curated OER
Coffee & Chocolate: Knowing Healthy Foods
An article relaying vital information about health and nutrition are the backbone of this lesson on eating the right foods. A series of activities are used to help upper graders understand the science supporting our understanding of what...
Novelinks
Things Fall Apart: Problematic Situation
If you could pick characteristics you would want your child to possess, what would they be? To better understand Okonkwo, one of the key characters in Things Fall Apart, class groups engage in an activity that asks them to consider this...
Curated OER
How HIV Infects Cells
For this biology worksheet, students answer 2 short answer questions related to HIV based on information provided. They color and label the different parts of a virus.
Curated OER
Michigan Ecosystems: The Web They Weave
Students examine the forest ecosystem and how all life in the forest depends upon itself. In this ecological lesson, students participate in a personal connections activity where someone pulls on a string and everyone feels it,...
Curated OER
Panther Scavenger Hunt
Students examine the Florida Panthers through a Web-quest. In this web-based activity, students find clues that will help them to identify the habitat of the Florida Panther and the history of human activity which threatens these wild cats.
Curated OER
The Mysteries of Twins
Third graders experience reading in the content areas by reading about heredity and practicing summarizing the reading.
Curated OER
Variation in Human Skin Color
Students classify themselves according to the six skin types. In this biology lesson, students explore the causes of human skin variation. They present their findings in class.
Channel Islands Film
Island Cattle Ranching
Is cattle ranching on Santa Rosa island viable or non-viable? Rather than focusing on the issues of the transition of Santa Rosa island from a privately owned island cattle ranch to a national park, class members are asked to consider if...
Curated OER
Art of Biodiversity
Young scholars familiarize themselves with values of biodiversity. They comprehend that biodiversity has inspirational and cultural values. Students locate five works of art on Zoo grounds that represent biodiversity in some way.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Scientists Discover Gene to Waterproof Rice
For this English worksheet, students read "Scientists Discover Gene to Waterproof Rice," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.