Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Green Space in the City

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine city parks and their importance and affect they have on the health and well being of a community. An oral report with visual aids is prepared as a group to educate the class on the importance of green space in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Ecology

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the living and nonliving components of an ecosystem. In this ecology instructional activity, 8th graders explain the role each organism plays. They participate in class discussion and answer a quiz at the end...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food and Fiber: Helping the Environment and You

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the many uses of corn-based products and the importance of water resources. They consider how biodegradable products help to keep water clean. They perform experiments to observe how corn pellets dissolve while...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Fish Anatomy and Commercial Fishing Gear

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students investigate commercial fishing by exploring the technical methods.  In this environmental lesson, students identify the fish that are most commonly consumed by humans and trace their path from ocean to plate.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get Nutty

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students research how nuts and seeds contribute to their overall good health.They recognize that nuts and seeds are a tasty addition to a meal. Students comprehend that nuts and seeds pose a risk for a small proportion of the population...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Silly Science

For Students 7th - 8th
In this science worksheet, students use the dichotomous key to identify common objects listed on the sheet. Then they write the scientific name of each object.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Woods and Pond

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners explore nature in a living, experiencing way. In this woods and ponds lesson plan, students recognize that ponds/woods environments are ecosystems, identify three of the trees in the area by their leaves and bark...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living Corn Necklace

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore heredity and observable traits through experimentation. They view several different types of corn and record their observation of physical traits on a class chart. They create a corn necklace by sprouting dried...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

City Wildlife in a Vase

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine a still-life painting. They discuss the observation of nature by scientists and artists and explore the symbolism of biological life cycles depicted in a painting.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Collection II

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners mount their first pressed plant specimens and cover some basic plant morphology. They complete a homework assignment to practice their plant collecting and observational skills at home.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life on a Farm

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students take a field trip to a farm or observe pictures of farms and animals in the classroom. They paint a mural of a farm setting with animals. They practice phonetic skills with farm stories and songs. They explain how milk becomes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Detecting Systems

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a activity that attempts to explain how a system works. They examine the parts and how they fit together. The question of what happens to a system if a pert is missing is asked.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore the ways in which animals differ. They discuss the characteristics of insects and spiders. Students identify the characteristics of insects and spiders. They compare and contrast insects and spiders.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biological Communities

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify consumers and producers in different communities. Students collect a variety of soil samples and record organisms found in the samples.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Baga Drum

For Teachers K - 6th
Students examine a Baga Drum in order to explore the history of the Baga people of West Africa. In this art history lesson, students recognize figures used in Baga Drum design that represent aspects of Baga culture. They also design and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Woods and Pond

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students participate in hands-on activities to explore their natural surroundings. They recognize that ponds and woods are ecosystems and compare differences between the two. They identify trees by their bark and leaves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Termite Trails

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners observe the behavior of termites and draw conclusions about their behavior. They record data as to termite behavior and recognize elements in the experimental design which must include a hypothesis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain Forests

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the animals and plants of the rainforests. They define rainforest, watch and discuss a National Geographic video, and write a short story.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Columbus Park

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students complete activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrip to Columbus Park in Chicago, IL. They discover how urban conditions influenced the creation of city parks. They examine the preservation of historic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pulling Together With Natives -- The Bradley Sisters' Story

For Teachers K - 6th
Students identify the four ways to stop the spread of weeds in California. In groups, they practice the five methods of removing and controling the spread of the weeds. To end the lesson, they summarize the Bradley sisters way of...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

Going, Going...Gone?

For Students 6th - 12th
Young environmentalists consider how scientists are attempting to save endangered species. They read about what causes extinction and steps to take to minimize the threats. 
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Real Food in the Classroom

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Use a class garden to teach learners about real food, nutrition, and more.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaf Collection

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students collect leaves to create a dichotomous key.
Lesson Plan
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

Succession: Patterns in the Field and in Seeds

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Have you been wondering how to use that natural trail at or near your school? This activity gets kids outside with a purpose: learn about ecological succession through field observations and collecting seed and soil samples. The resource...