Curated OER
Hunting for the Controversy
You can help students deepen their understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of hunting animals with these lessons and activities.
University of Southern California
Human Impact on the Sea
How far does the human hand reach? Five interactive lessons lead classes through a unit exploring the human impact on ocean resources, pollution, and even extinction. Learners discover how their decisions affect the ocean...
Curated OER
Ecosystem In A Bottle
Ecosystem activities show how everyone and everything is interconnected. The smallest change can make a big impact.
Michigan Sea Grant
Wetlands
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...
Prince William Network
The Incredible Journey
Divide your school gym into breeding grounds and non-breeding grounds so that your zoologists can play a game simulating the seasonal migration of shorebirds. Players pick one of the included game cards and follow its directions, which...
Curated OER
Natural Resources
Fifth graders begin the lesson by identifying the different types of natural resources. As a class, they discuss how environments are destructed and how the loss of one natural resource can affect the economy. Using a map, they label the...
Curated OER
Cypress/Tupelo Swamps
Students study the geologic history of terrain, soils, and drainage patterns. They recognize ecological processes that determine the dynamic nature of habitats. They investigate the influence of human activity on the landscape.
Curated OER
Puerto Rican Parrot Paradise
Students investigate the environment of the Puerto Rican Parrot. They visualize the ecosystem with and without information. They conduct research to find information and participate in classroom discussion to demonstrate comprehension of...
Curated OER
Investigating Tropical Birds
Learners investigate tropical birds. They write letters for rain forest preservation to protect tropical birds. They interview a bird professional from a local bird store or a zoo and discuss how to take care of a parrot. They use Kid...
Curated OER
Community and Ecosystems
Learners complete a unit of lessons on ecosystems. They participate in online activities, create a diorama, write journal entries, and develop a Hyperstudio multimedia project on a selected ecosystem.
Curated OER
The Dam Builders
Students examine biodiversity issues. In this European beaver lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about the reintroduction of the species in Britain. Students complete the included biodiversity...
Curated OER
Furbearers of Illinois
Students study fur bearing animals of Illinois. They research a specific furbearer (it's habitat, diet, current hunting regulations regarding the animal, conservation organizations that help the animal, etc.) and give a presentation on...
Curated OER
Eagles and Other Raptors
Pupils become familiar with basic facts and behavior of the American Bald Eagle using a combination of classroom presentation, Video, Internet searching, "hands on" computer activity, and touching of feathers and displays.
Curated OER
Most Troublesome Exotic Invasive Plant Species Web Quest
Students participate in a Web Quest activity in which they identify common exotic invasive plant species of the Southern Appalachian Region. After identifying the top 10 exotic invasive species, they choose one to research in depth.
Curated OER
Walk a Mile in Albatross Shoes
Learners recognize the correlation between the trash they dispose of around their school and the environmental hazards that face wildlife, specifically the Laysan albatross. They determine three ways that they can help the albatross chicks.
Curated OER
PASSENGER PIGEONS: NOMADS LOST
Middle schoolers explore the concept and implications of extinction using the example of the Passenger Pigeon, once an extremely abundant species that was completely eliminated by humans.
Curated OER
Graphing the Population Explosion of Weeds
Students are introduced to the seed cycle and draw the specific steps. In groups, they identify the human barriers to the spreading of weeds. After calculating the rate of spreading of the Yellowstar Thistle, they create graphs to see a...
Curated OER
Conservation in Action
Students research the life and works of Rachel Carson. In this conservation lesson, students discuss environmental protection and why protection of wildlife is important. Students read a Rachel Carson Fact Sheet and work in groups...
Curated OER
Environment: Rivers of Destiny
Students investigate the results of human intervention with the Mekong. Mississippi, and Amazon rivers. After watching a video about the status of the three rivers, they complete experiments demonstrating the effects of erosion and...
Curated OER
Enemies and Threats to Sea Horses
Learners research threats and enemies of the sea horse. In this animal biology lesson, students use the Internet to find threats and enemies of sea horses and write a paragraph on their findings.
Curated OER
Solving Environmental Problems
Students identify a community environmental problem and possible solutions. They analyze the connection between the problem and the solutions and the importance of it to the local community. Students then draw a picture of an...
Curated OER
What Is Happening To My Species?
Learners select and research an animal that lives in the rainforest of Manu, Peru. They watch and discuss a video, create masks and costumes to role-play various rainforest animals, conduct research, and write a short story of their...
California Academy of Science
Conservation Island
Why not walk in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt and become a conservationist? After discussing issues and reasons for animal extinction, the class creates their own conservation plans. Each small group is given mock data regarding a...
Virginia Department of Education
Ecosystem Dynamics
Searching for an eccentric way to enhance lessons on ecosystems while ensuring pupils remain creative and motivated? Upon viewing The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, designated groups design and construct a pop-up book that...