Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Down By the River

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine how watersheds work and determine the difference between point and nonpoint source pollution. They research management practices to reduce pollution and investigate how everyone can participate in reducing water pollution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biomes in a Box

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students construct a three-dimensional model of a biome which illustrates the various biotic and abiotic factors unique to that biome. They use everday materials to represent the important characteristics of a particular biome and then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zones of the Rocky Intertidal Zones

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders predict intertidal zones for organisms. In this intertidal zones lesson, 6th graders analyze an illustration of an organism and a class diagram of the intertidal zones. Students research to locate the zone the organism is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mini-Ponds

For Teachers 7th - 9th
For this mini pond worksheet, students create a mini-pond ecosystem with soil, water, and plant life. Students let their ecosystem sit for a day and they observe a sample the next day. Students identify all the pond water microorganisms...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Got Plants

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discover that all living things need food in order to live. In groups, they examine the interconnectedness between animals and plants. They identify which animals eat plants to survive and which animals eat animals that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coral Reef Community

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the coral reef. In this food chain activity, students study the plants and animals of the coral reef and how they each play a role in that ecosystem. They participate in a class play to demonstrate the types of animals...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chains and Food Webs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study intertidal organisms and their role in the food web. In this food web lesson, 4th graders read the book The Sea That Feeds Us and discuss food webs. Students study pictures of intertidal creatures and discuss their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations.  In this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Walk a Mile in Albatross Shoes

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enhancing Our Outdoor Classroom Studies through Technology

For Teachers K - 5th
Combine science, math, and more using this resource. Learners use technology to share video and other information about their community with people throughout the state. They learn about the environment, identifying native plants, record...
Interactive3:44
Scholastic

Study Jams: Symbiosis

For Students 5th - 9th Standards
Three types of symbiosis are explained: parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism. This is done with colorful animation and lively dialogue in a straightforward and easy-to-follow manner. Have your ecology class watch this at home and then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Species Interactions

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore seven terrestrial biomes. They compare relationships between children, parents and friends to interactions among species. After observing pictures of types of interaction, 8th graders describe the predator-prey...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Terraqua Columns

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students participate in a discussion about their personal ecosystem and the organisms they interact with on a daily basis. After a discussion, they work in groups to build TerrAqua columns, which they work with for a two to three week...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Photodocumentation: Promoting Environmental Education Through the Development of Visual Literacy Skills

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students construct a photo document on their selected topic and use at least twelve photographs in their photo document. One must be of the authors. Additionally, they must write five interactive questions which help viewers interpret...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Flathead Lake Ecosystem Mystery

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze data to solve the mystery of what contributed to an ecological disaster at Great Flathead Lake. They read and graph the available data, create a food web of the problem ecosystem, and construct a formal problem statement...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You Have the Key?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars practice using a dichotomous key. In this classification lesson, students read an article about scientific exploration and identification of new species. They use a dichotomous key to identify objects and create their own...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecosystems, Habitats and Survival

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze the habitats of animals and people, how they are developed and maintained, and what factors affect shelter selection. They create a classified ad that describes a specific animal's habitat.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Difficult Decisions: The Sakinaw Sockeye Case Study

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine Sakinaw Sockeye as species at risk, participate in role playing exercise to consider different perspectives of various interest groups, and try to come to consensus on how to deal with dwindling Sakinaw sockeye...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Intertidal Zone

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research the diverse animal and plant life that inhabit the intertidal zones along the Pacific rocky coast. As students progress through this lesson, they begin to recognize distinct behaviors, adaptations, and characteristics...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecosystem Relationships

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars study the relationship between the types of trees, soil, and organisms. They investigate the complex interactions and cycles at work in the forest and understand the factors that contribute to a healthy, sustainable forest.
Interactive
Curated OER

Ecology Vocabulary Exercise: Wetlands

For Students 7th - 8th
In this ecology vocabulary exercise:  wetlands worksheet, students read the definitions of 8 words, then categorize a species found in a wetland in their region.  This page has numerous links to helpful web resources.
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Wetlands

For Teachers 4th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle (Role of Water)

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore the role of water as a natural resource in order to conserve and protect its use for future generations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First Contact

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders have an opportunity to enhance their computer skills by using Internet as a resource tool and a vehicle for global interaction with other students.