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How to Grow a Cactus Indoors
Students plant a cacti. In this desert plants instructional activity, students identify the needs of a plant and meet those needs by planting and caring for cactus.
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The Elephant Ate a Banana in the Tundra
Students perform a scene with their small group. They identify an animal, act out what the animal does, where the animal would be found, and what the animal eats. They locate the animal habitats on a map.
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Ecosystems and Habitats
Fourth graders go on a virtual field trip to five ecosystems. They investigate and videotape a temperate forest in the school's backyard.
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"Habitats"
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.
National Park Service
Aspect, Treeline, and Climate
Head to the treeline and beyond to examine how this feature of the landscape affects weather and climate, which gives scientists clues about its health. Class members' observations of photographs provide the data that drives the...
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Close to Home
Fourth graders examine habitats for animals by creating their own in class environment. In this environment lesson, 4th graders research the Internet for information on certain wild animals and the places in which they live. Students...
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Dress Like A Frog
Students recognize amphibian adaptations. In this amphibian lesson students explore amphibian adaptations that provide for successful living in their environments. A volunteer dresses up with all of the adaptations using everyday items...
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Camouflage
First graders learn how plants and animals adapt to their environments. In this camouflage lesson, 1st graders watch a movie that explains animal camouflage, design a butterfly that blends into a classroom habitat, create a mini book...
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Animal Colors and Shapes
Students investigate the natural characteristics of animals by completing a coloring activity. In this animal properties lesson, students investigate the reasons different animals have specific colors, and how it is essential for their...
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Animals Around Us
Young scholars view and discuss a Discovery Channel video that compares the animals found in four different habitats. They compare and contrast the characteristics of forests, deserts, wetlands and grasslands then choose one to depict...
Desert Discovery
Leaping Lizards
Here is a fine biology lesson that introduces youngsters to reptiles. They study their feeding habits, their habitats, and the adaptations they must make to survive in their environments. The outstanding lesson includes two excellent...
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Playing Hot and Cold
Students read about homeothermy. Through research and poster projects, they gain insight into the diversity among mammals and the ways specific mammals survive in their native climates.
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Animals: Gila Monsters
Students research sites about Gila monsters. They explore the physical characteristics and defense mechanisms that help Gila monsters survive in the desert. Includes photographs and a diagram.
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Terrestrial Communities
Students watch a video about different terrestrial communities. They conduct an experiment with sponges conserving water. They research desert characteristics comparing them with other biomes.
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Jumanji
Third graders read the book, Jumangi. Then they divide into groups of four or five and choose a habitat - desert, wetlands, Arctic/Antarctic, etc. Then each group can research the habitat to learn what kind of animals live there.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Relationships to Places
Young historians take a look at how the Indian tribes of California promoted a mindful relationship between people and the land. They begin to understand how the Indians were champions of conservation, and at preserving the natural...
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Ecology - Ecosystem
Third graders research ecosystems, the work of ecologists, John Muir's contribution to the environment and an endangered species of their choice. They read books, participate in discussions, and write reports.
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N.A.M.I.B. (Namib Animal Mobile of Interesting Birds)
Students investigate the birds of the Namib Desert. They watch and discuss a video, and color and construct a bird mobile of the various birds that live in the Namib Desert.
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Forests, Deserts, & Grasslands
Third graders complete activities to become familiar with the content and vocabulary related to biomes and ecosystems in order to mainstream into the classroom.
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Invent a Critter
Students create a living animal that could survive in at least one specific region and use the digital desert library to gather information. In this invent a critter lesson, students draw a picture of their animal, describe their animal...
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Science: Her-bariums Galore!
Students collect and identify plant species and construct herbariums both at school and at home. By gathering data from both locales, they draw conclusions and make predictions about plant diversity. Upon completion of the exercises,...
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Specialized for the Sea
Students use pictures and make a mural to investigate how ocean animals are adapted to certain parts of their environment.
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Plant Explorers
Students investigate how plants take in water, nutrients, and light. They create artwork showing how plants survive in different environments.
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Wildlife
The centerpiece of this lesson plan is a predator-prey simulation in which colored paperclips represent different species of animals camouflaged against a colored background. Relevant follow-up questions are provided. The activity is...