Curated OER
Animal Signs
Students discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track animals. They participate in an hands-on activity in which they examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat" left by...
Curated OER
Charting the Changes in Our School Forest
Fourth graders investigate the ecosystem and how forests are disappearing. In this environmental protection lesson, 4th graders analyze the changes in their school for 2 weeks. Students practice identifying trees, birds, and foliage...
Curated OER
Studying Wetland Plants
Students identify some common wetland plants. they use the scientific method of surveying the plant community to record accurate data that they observe. they cut a sample of each plant and save in plastic bags to identify and preserve...
National Park Service
Who Grows There?
More than 127 non-native species live in Glacier National Park in Montana and their infestations are growing! Pupils read about and gather samples of exotic plants. Participants create a master book of pressed plants and complete a...
Curated OER
Investigative Case - "Malama Keone'o'io"
Students study techniques for conducting a local environmental assessment in an ecologically sensitive area. Identification of native plants and methodologies for sampling is taught in the classroom and then reinforced in the field. The...
Curated OER
HFS-What do we have growing on the school grounds?
Students observe school grounds and take pictures of plants, trees, and bushes for identification. In this plant life instructional activity, students identify plants with the help of guides and resources.
Curated OER
Field Biology
Students work with 4th and 5th graders at Cascade Brook School in Farmington, to teach them skills in wildflower and fern identification, and then to help them implement a nature trail, which is accessible to the greater Farmington...
Curated OER
Let it Grow!
Learners explain the relationship of plants and animals in the environment. They name the basic requirements for plant growth and define the terms photosynthesis, stomata, chlorophyll and xylem.
Curated OER
Forests and Photosynthesis
Fourth graders explore the concept of photosynthesis. They investigate the effects of light on seedlings. Students grow plants and record the data. Students view satellite images that show the monthly amount of vegetation present in the...
Curated OER
Using Sterile Techniques as a Tool in Studying Plant Diseases
Seventh graders examine the concept of sterile techniques. They realize that plant diseases can be identified and classified in various way. Students identify some of the diseases that attack the garden plants.
Curated OER
Classification and Identification
Students, after exploring and analyzing diagrammatic and taxonomic keys and their association to marine sciences, identify and classify objects and organisms based on visual attributes/characteristics. They research and create their own...
Curated OER
Plant Life in Action
Sixth graders examine various habitats and record the living creatures they found. In this biodiversity lesson, 6th graders complete a worksheet recording their observations. Students draw conclusions about the climate and its effect on...
Curated OER
Ecology of The Sonoran Desert Soil Crusts: Biology, Geology
This instructional activity is designed after research done on the ecology of soil lichen in the Tucson Basin area during the summers of 1997 and 1998. Its purpose is to guide learners into adopting the problem solving thinking of...
Curated OER
Disposable Diaper Comparison and Mystery Powder Identification
Students investigate which diaper is the most absorbent. In this chemistry instructional activity, students calculate how much water is absorbed by diapers. They identify an unknown powder based on physical and chemical properties.
Curated OER
Parts of the Plant and Their Functions
Delving into this slideshow will help the students understand the composition of plants and their structures. Each slide identifies certain structures and explores how they support the plant's survival along with assisting our...
Curated OER
A Tree-mendous Project
Seventh graders use their observation and measurement skills to identify trees. Using a tree diagram, they label the parts and discuss the functions of the tree. They practice using a dichotomous key to identify trees as well.
Curated OER
Pollen Collection And Identification
Students investigate plant reproduction, pollen collection and identification. They collect pollen samples over a twenty four hour period and examine them under a microscope.
Curated OER
Campus/community Weed Pull
Students practice field identification of exotic invasive species. They use their identification key, and invasive plant species flash cards to identify and dig up exotic invasive species in a preselected
area as a community service.
Curated OER
Dichotomous Key for Identifying Pine Trees
Students identify the species of pine trees that are found in their area. They use unlabeled "mystery" samples and a dichotomous key to identify the pine trees to species. After identification, they use a field guide to answer worksheet...
Curated OER
Species and Specimens: Exploring Local Biodiversity
Students practice skills essential to all scientific investigation: carefully observing and collecting data. They become field biologists in a series of hands-on activities to collect and identify specimens, and survey and calculate the...
Nuffield Foundation
Biodiversity in Your Backyard!
Take your enthusiastic ecologists outdoors to explore the biodiversity right in their own schoolyard! In preparing for this activity, it may be worthwhile to research websites with local flora to help in the plant identification portion.
Curated OER
Tree Riddle Book
Fourth graders study the tree identification cards, identifying conifers sheet, and western forest cards. From the information gathered from these resources, each team help create a tree riddle book of 12 trees of Washington State.
Curated OER
Who's Who?
Students explore biology by identifying animals and their environments. In this animal characteristic instructional activity, students read assigned text about farm animals, how they are raised, and what they are used for in our society....
Curated OER
Discovering Science with Lewis & Clark
Students photograph plants and contribute their pictures to a class powerpoin on plant variety.