Students of all ages are introduced to the geography of Illinois. Depending on the grade level, they participate in different activities which allow them to discover Illinois in the past and present. They examine the animals and...

Fourth graders investigate riverbanks and oxbox ecosystem at the Truckee River. They observe the plants, animals, insects and water organisms located there. Students document water samples, flow and then categorize them in class. This...

Students use a written key or illustrated key to identify fungi on plant leaves into its genus based on sexual or asexual reproduction, host range diversity, and host-parasite relationships.

For this geography worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle referring all to deserts. They identify the various types of desert land and what plants and animals can survive in these lands. Also, students identify the people who...

Fourth graders complete a variety of exercises and activities surrounding the scientific and artistic properties of the parts and processes of a plant/flower.

Students focus on the types of vegetation and animal life living around local water sources. This lesson can be adapted to any local water source, whether it be a lake, a river, stream or ocean. It has a particular focus on the bird...

Students capture and observe insects. Using provided netting, students design and create a butterfly net. They study many types of insects and their benefits. After identifying insects caught, students complete a graph. Students write...

Students investigate insects. In this insect analysis lesson, students catch insects using nets they make. They identify the insects they catch and create a chart to show the numbers and varieties. This lesson includes a vocabulary list...

Students receive teacher prepared puzzles of animals. They try to name the animal by looking at only one piece. Students work in groups to assemble the puzzle pieces and name the animal. They draw their own pictures of the animals in...

Students explore animal characteristics by reading animal stories in class. In this sheep habitat lesson plan, students identify the uses for sheep in our agricultural based society and the importance of wool in our economy. Students...

Students study about geologists and their job. They also study that rocks are made up of minerals and organic material by conducting an experiment where they create their own "granite" or "coal".

Students, through books, videos, and readings, explore characteristics of insects. In groups, they choose an insect to research. Students discover their insect's diet, how they move, and where they live. Afterwards, they use the facts...

Seventh graders identify native species of desert vegetation, plan a xeriscape landscape, and recognize the importance of water conservation.

Middle schoolers recognize native species of desert vegetation while examining the need for water conservation. They design and create a xeriscape landscape using a variety of materials.

Students identify and separate the different zones of the beach by observation. They investigate beach zonation by gathering and comparing sand samples gathered from different areas of the beach.

Eighth graders examine the role of wetlands in an ecosystem. In groups, they use the internet to research how humans have disturbed and ruined the effectiveness of wetlands throughout the country. They pretend they are in charge of...

Students write a journal in response to literature. The story that is read is about prairies. The subject of prairies becomes an object for research. The culminating activity is the making of a map where prairies exist in the United States.

Identify agricultural products grown in each region of the country. Discuss how geography affects what is grown or raised in a particular area.1. Hand out a copy of the two activity sheets "Food From Sea to Shining Sea" to each student....

Third graders review the characteristics of living and nonliving organisms. As a class, they observe a tree and describe the interactions between the living and nonliving organisms surrounding it. To end the lesson plan, they ask a...

Students identify the different kinds and uses of green space that exist in an urban area. They create maps of local parks and research the history of each park. They conduct a survey of residents near the park and interview a park...

Third graders review the placement and role of the sun in the solar system. Using beads, they create a necklace which they can use to identify the amount of sunlight is being illuminated. In groups, they record observations on the...

Students explore nature objects brought indoors such as rocks, seeds, leaves and shells to identify where the objects came from. They hear stories about John Muir's life and make booklets about nature areas they enjoy.

Students research to identify a serious problem.

Students use the Museumlink Forest Module to view landscape paintings and discuss the names and functions of the forest layers. They paint or draw a landscape of a forest with the layers and explain them.