Lesson Plan
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Looking for Biodiversity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore habitats and see that there are a variety of plants that can be found and that biodiversity is an important characteristic.  In this biodiversity lesson students complete an activity that explains how to perform a...
Worksheet
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Butterfly Report

For Students 4th - 6th
In this biology learning exercise, students draw or trace an accurate picture of a butterfly. Then they complete the information related to their butterfly's classification and list the habitats where they are likely to be found....
Lesson Plan
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Who's New in the Deep Sea?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the methods and technology that scientists use to study the deep sea and other remote environments.  For this ocean habitats lesson students make observations about organisms from video clips, generate questions and...
Lesson Plan
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Building a Butterfly Garden

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students plant a garden which will become the habitat for butterflies as they go through their life cycle.  In this life cycle lesson, students grow plants that attract butterflies and feed caterpillars in order to observe the...
Lesson Plan
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From Egg to Butterfly

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars use file folders and art supplies to create a visual presentation of the life cycle of a butterfly. In this life cycle lesson plan, students read books about the life cycle and view the life cycle with in class habitats.
Lesson Plan
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Critters in Your Own Backyard

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify various animals and their habitats, as well as their specific traits In this animal habitat lesson, students list animals they've seen in their backyard. Students select one animal and do research. Students then answer...
Lesson Plan
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Camouflage, Protection, & Adaptations—Who am I?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners explore ocean animal adaptations. In this animal adaptations activity, students examine how different ocean animals use adaptations other than camouflage to protect themselves.
Lesson Plan
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Maintaining Strong Fisheries

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners play a game about the life cycle of a blue crab in order to witness the causes of changes in the crab population and discuss what a resource manager could do to keep a stable crab population. Students then create a game titled...
Lesson Plan
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Stream Table

For Teachers 3rd - Higher Ed
Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about  the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. ...
Lesson Plan
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A Piece of Cake: Ocean Communities

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explain habitats. In this model based lesson students create a model to help describe a habitat that is typical of deep-water. Students will describe how organisms such as coral and sponges add to their habitat.
Lesson Plan
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A Piece of Cake

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine life under the sea to discover coral gardens and microhabitats. They demonstrate learning by creating an edible marine ecosystem with a sheet cake, icing, and different candies.
Lesson Plan
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Biodiversity in an Estuary

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the biodiversity in estuaries. In this estuary lesson plan, students use Google Earth to explore the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. They produce a biodiversity concept map and portray the life of a...
Lesson Plan
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Water, Water Everywhere (Pond Animals)

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the characteristics of animals who live in a pond environment. In groups, they describe the various stages in the life of a frog and identify the characteristics of other pond animals. Using this information,...
Lesson Plan
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Happy in My Habitat

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create animal habitats and explain the biomes they live in.  In this habitat lesson, 4th graders recognize the basic needs of animals, characteristics of animals differences and places where they live. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Natural World of the Balkan Peninsula

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the different habitats in the Balkan peninsula. In this ecology instructional activity, students research about a species and create a 3D diorama of its environment. They present project in class and share their research...
Lesson Plan
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Kure Waste Chase Game Lesson

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students work together to identify marine debris. They explain the effect of the debris on various ecosystems. They draw different types of ocean currents as well.
Lesson Plan
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First Grade Goes to the Zoo

For Teachers 1st
First graders summarize their trip to the zoo. In this summarizing lesson plan, 1st graders will study animals that they may see at the zoo including their characteristics and habitats. Once the trip is done, they create a word document...
Lesson Plan
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Tracking Narwhals in Greenland The Ocean Unicorn

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students study the ecology, habitats, geographic range and feeding habits of narwhals. They determine at least three reasons for the decline in the narwhal populations and complete the accompanying worksheets.
Lesson Plan
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Under the Spell of Spiders

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine spiders. In these spider lessons, students will view spider images and live spiders to determine physical characteristics, habits, and habitats. Students will examine fantasy and folklore about spiders to create and...
Lesson Plan
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Layers of the Forest

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore rain forests.  In this rain forest ecosystems lesson plan, students identify and describe the layers of the rain forest. Students paint and decorate a large rain forest mural. Students write riddles about animals...
Lesson Plan
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The Bear Facts

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore various kinds of bears and gather information about them.  In this research and habitats lesson, students chart their bear information on large posters with illustrations of their bears. Students map the...
Worksheet
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The right place to live

For Students 2nd - 5th
How do various plants survive in different environments? They adapt! Kids determine which plant traits make them perfect for their specific environment. They consider three plants and can even complete a plant experiment. Note: Intended...
Lesson Plan
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Mixed Media Ocean Art

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students design pictures of ocean environments. In this art activity, students use mixed media art materials to develop a picture that depicts the ocean environment. They use paint, sand paper and various basic art materials.
Lesson Plan
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Inviting Butterflies to the Schoolyard

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students create a butterfly garden. In this butterfly garden lesson, students plot a garden with plant species that will attract butterflies. Students learn about the specific plants and items that will help butterflies use the garden.