Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Science Vocabulary and Categorization

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students analyze scientific vocabulary words. In this life science vocabulary lesson, students complete a worksheet using VisualThesaurus as they evaluate words related to plants and animals and how the words are used.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toward a Sustainable Agriculture

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars analyze organic production systems. In this organic agriculture lesson, students examine key organic practices for both crop and livestock. This lesson includes 5 different activities, 4 critical thinking questions and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity

For Teachers K
Students investigate the diversity of temperate forests and tropical rainforests. They catch and observe local insects, sort leaves and insects on a chart, listen to the book "A Walk in the Rainforest," and create a class bar graph that...
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Food Chains and Webs

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Starting with a simple food chain, young scientists interpret the difference and interrelatedness between herbivores, carnivores and producers. They answer questions related to cause and effect of food chain disruptions, including the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Making Trace Fossils

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore types of fossils and discover how sediment affects fossil preservation. They focus their study on trace fossils and create their own using sediment, water, and a small organism such as a snail or lizard. Students use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SORTING ALL SORTS

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students examine how the method of classification is used. In this sorting instructional activity students take a pre-test, classify organisms and complete a crossword puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biospheres

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders create models, practice inquiry skills, work with fellow students in teams, and reinforce concepts discussed in class all by using the theme of BIOSPHERES.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Not Just a Bag of Beans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars determine the types of natural selection and variation that exists in a population, using beans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Crazy Contraption

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders design a contraption, which contains five different examples of simple machines and works without intervention. They sketch designs and label its parts. They present their creations to the class and relate them to Rube...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Naming New Species

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars explore science of taxonomy and the Five Kingdoms of life, categorize organisms into Kingdoms, and create multi-media presentations illustrating knowledge of a Kingdom. They collect data and related pictures on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trophic Ecology of Humans

For Teachers 9th - 11th
students analyze the place of humans among the tropic levels by observing what we eat. They calculate the caloric content of several foods commonly eaten by humans and calculate the total energy cost to grow, process, transport, store...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trophic Ecology of Humans

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students analyze the trophic level of humans by first calculating the kilocalories in own their lunch. They then calulate the kilocalories in a wide variety of foods found in grocery stores and compare the kilocalories needed to acquire...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Land Does It Take To Produce Your Food?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students calculate the amount of land required to produce the food eaten by an individual for one year. They compare the amount of land required to produce animal versus plant products. Students visualize the areas of land calculated.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

18th Century Microscope

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine a microscope from the 18th century. In this microscope lesson plan, students investigate how it works, what it was used for and how the tool has evolved through the years. Students also build knowledge on how compound...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Osmosis and Diffusion: Egg Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine why diffusion and osmosis happen in an egg cell.  In this diffusion activity students demonstrate a semi permeable membrane.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Invertebrates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact that human development has on streams.  In this stream sampling lesson students compare macroinvertebrate data and graph it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Catalase and Catalysis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore enzyme catalysis through a series of experiments. In this chemistry instructional activity, students determine the factors affecting catalysis. They explain the different uses of this process.
Worksheet
Curated OER

How HIV Infects Cells

For Students 8th - 9th
In this how HIV infects cells worksheet, students read the given information about how HIV infects cells. Students explain the role of various structures in HIV infection. Students design a drug that might slow the rate of cellular...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Gyotaku

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders make a T-shirt. In this fish printing lesson, 3rd graders learn about Gyotaku and the history of fish printing. The teacher demonstrates how to do a fish printing for a T-shirt and then students make their own T-shirts and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worm Composting

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss worm composting. In this decomposition lesson plan, 2nd graders look at the anatomy of the worm and how it eats food. They have their own worm bin and review what foods can and can not be given to the worms for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gaia: The Wisdom of the Earth

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Learners are introduced to Gaia theory of natural homeostasis. They graph Earth's temperatures over time, construct terrariums or monitor the outdoor environment. Related videos titles are suggested, but may be outdated. The objectives...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parasite Development and Life Cycle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
If you are new to teaching agriculture classes, this outline may be helpful when you are preparing a lecture on parasites in livestock. In addition to lecturing on this topic, the lesson plan suggests that learners research the life...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oil Spills

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the San Francisco oil spill and the effects it has had.  In this investigative lesson plan students view a demonstration on oil clean up and how it works.  They see how wildlife is rehabilitated, how the...