Curated OER
Vermicomposting
Third graders study vermicomposting. In this vermicomposting lesson plan, 3rd graders prepare to begin a unit on decomposition by constructing a worm bin. Students collect worms to be used later in experiments.
Curated OER
Principles of Ecology
In this ecology worksheet, students will fill in a graphic organizer showing the relationship organisms have with their environments and with each other. This includes biotic and abiotic factors, tropic levels, and ecological pyramids....
Curated OER
Riparian Zones Grades 4-8
Students examine and analyze the Riparian Zones found on the edges of streams and lakes. They assess why those are such valuable ecosystems and then conduct actual field research on riparian zones and conclude by drawing conclusions from...
Curated OER
Plot Studies
Third graders are introduced to how to properly read a plot map. As a class, they take a field trip to an area surrounding the school and work together in groups to examine small sections of the different environments. To end the...
Curated OER
Habitat Lap Sit
Fourth graders physically form a circle that shows the interconnectedness of the components of a habitat. They form circles and role play the parts of habitats.
Curated OER
Trail Adventure
Students create a trail with numbered specimens. Students complete an accurate and functional interactive trail activity brochure. They complete a web page tree identification guide and interactive identification activity. Students...
Curated OER
Termite Trails
Students 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.
Curated OER
Mud Fossils
Students create their own fossils in an activity using plaster of paris and a variety of objects which can be fossils, e.g. chicken bones, twigs, shells, etc. After making their fossils, they allow them to dry and discuss time and its...
Curated OER
Insect Condominiums
Fourth graders design an insect home using recyclable materials making sure that the organism's needs are met. They study the concepts of niche, habitat and survival requirements.
Curated OER
Fossil Fuel and the Ticking Clock
Students study energy sources to learn about fossil fuels and environmental concerns. In this energy sources instructional activity, students watch demonstrations for various energy examples. Students find hidden pennies, make a bar...
Curated OER
Sparky's Engineer Activity Book
Students complete their Sparky's Engineer Activity Book. In this engineering instructional activity, students are guided by their teacher in completing their Sparky's Engineer Activity Book which reviews what engineers make and what...
Curated OER
Rikki-Tikki Research
Fourth graders perform a search on mongooses on Internet Explorer and answer research questions.
Curated OER
The Great Spider Debate
Students study about the survival and hunting strategies of several different kinds of spiders. They also be introduced to scientific classification of spiders and write a brief report about one of the spider families they observe.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Living or Nonliving
Third graders look for living and nonliving elements on the playground.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Are You Dead or Alive?
A great site that offers real life examples of what makes something living or nonliving.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Are You Among the Living or the Nonliving?
Great site to test your knowledge on living and nonliving things. Play a game that tests your knowledge, and view pictures to pick out each living organism.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Living, Nonliving or Once Living
Third graders, investigating what it means to be alive, sort items into three categories: living, nonliving, or once living.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Wanted Dead or Alive!
In this instructional activity students will identify the characteristics of living and nonliving things.
ArtsNow
Arts Now Learning: Dramatic Living and Non Living [Pdf]
Students explore the differences between living and nonliving things through the lens of the nursery rhyme, "Hey Diddle Diddle." After bringing the characters to life, the students discuss the concepts of living and nonliving and act out...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Looking for Living and Nonliving Things
Students will think about what is alive and identify the objects they observe as living or nonliving. They will record their findings in a journal, share them with their classmates, then illustrate a page for a class book of things they...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Classify Yes, but Is It Alive?
Do you know the traits something that is alive? Test your knowledge of the traits of life by identifying objects as alive, not living, or once alive.
Other
Hub Pages: Abiotic Factors: A Component of Ecosystem
In the environment, there are external factors that really affect organisms living within it. One of these factors is the set of abiotic factors, or nonliving variables, such as wind, ocean, day length, rainfall, temperature, and ocean...
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Ecosystems
How would you define an ecosystem? Check out this educational resource to learn more about the living and nonliving parts of different ecosystems.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Biogeochemical Cycles
The ways in which an element or compound such as water moves between its various living and nonliving forms and locations in the biosphere is called a biogeochemical cycle. All of the atoms that are building blocks of living things are a...