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Mapping a Refuge
Pupils record observations gathered while at a national wildlife refuge. In this lesson plan on wildlife refuges, students choose an observation spot and record seasonal changes throughout the year.
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Utilizing Community Resources
Learners gain an understanding of scientific methods and use process skills (such as observing, classifying, and predicting) to solve a problem. They develop an understanding of the need for natural preservation.
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Growth of a Bean Documented by Child and Camera
Third graders photograph the growth of a bean plant and keep a daily written journal of observations. They drew, graphed and took notes on the plant growth which they compared to the photographic journal.
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Bean There, Done Plant
Students explain that events in nature follow an orderly progression when they plant seeds and observe the development of the seeds. They count seeds and find the likenesses and the differences of many seeds.
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Fish In a Bottle
Students work together to build their own fish ecosystems. As a class, they share their prior knowledge about catfish and use a diagram to label its body parts. They record their observations of the ecosystem and determine what they...
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What Is Your Explanation for the Evidence?
Young scholars encounter an interactive computer program activity designed as a diagnostic of student beliefs related to the theory of evolution. Students process the Hypercard cascades structured around a set of biological topics...
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Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources
Fifth graders, after brainstorming why conservation of resources is important, distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources. They make a list of different types of natural resources on the board and then sort them into two...
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Behavior Of Substances At Different Temperatures
Fourth graders are involved in a lab experience to look at the concept of heating up various materials to see how they react to an increase in temperature. They make observations and record them in a lab journal. Then students discuss...
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World Geography: Climate Change Round Table
Learners are able to explain the suspected causes of relatively recent climate changes, specifically the observed global warming. They discuss how unusual or extreme global warming disrupts the balance of the earth's geo-spheres.
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What's in the Pond?
Sixth graders are introduced to microorganisms within a specific ecosystem and have the opportunity to make observations, explore the environment, conduct experiments and draw conclusions through firsthand experience at a pond. They also...
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Fractals, An Inquiry
Students observe and discuss several different fractal drawings and relate them to patterns they see in nature. They use an online fractal tool to create and modify a fractal image and then create their own fractal image with paint.
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The Structure of the Galaxy
Students infer the galaxy shape. In this structure of the galaxy lesson plan students observe the distribution of objects in the sky and answer questions.
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Develop a Bird Feeder Watch List
Learners explore biology by identifying animals on their school ground. In this bird species instructional activity, students create and utilize a simple bird feeder to attract birds near their classroom at which point they observe the...
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Eyewitnesses to Change
Students explore recent changes in the Artic's climate that have been observed by Artic residents. They watch videos, take notes and create a concept map. They also look at historical weather data from a specific Artic community. The...
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Heating Crystals
Students examine the effects of heating on various crystals. They answer questions in the observation category which assess their ability to use a variety of senses to observe data in a certain way- a scientific way.
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Ruler and Magnifying Fun
First graders investigate objects using rulers and magnifying glasses. They record their observations using a data-recording sheet and write a characteristic for each item they observe. They use the ruler to solve math problems.
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One Square Meter
Students explore the concept of a quadrat study. Students select and investigate a site and conduct a quadrat survey. They take measurements, observe the area and analyze their findings.
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What Is In The Water?
Students investigate the biotic and abiotic factors that are found in an aquatic ecosystem. The emphasis is upon the investigation of present an projections of future water quality. Then students visit a local body of water to gather...
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What Do You Know About the Birds Around You?
Students compare and contrast various species of birds. After participating in a brief discussion of the characteristics of birds, they view birds in their natural habitat and in pictures with a focus on the similarities and differences...
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What is a Wetland?
In this Tyson Lagoon wetland worksheet, students record their observations during a field trip to a constructed wetland area. They make observations at 6 stations, trace the water flow through the ecosystem and examine the soil and plants.
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Adopt An Ecosystem
Tenth graders choose an ecosystem to observe the interaction of living organisms with biotic and abiotic factors in that ecosystem. They keep journals of observations and reflections in order to have a resource for further...
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Drift Study
Students observe, work with charts, and work with GPS in order to determine the path lobster larvae travel based on local currents. For this currents lesson plan, students work with local fishermen to observe the natural currents.
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Sound Box
Students make simple observations and identify relevant variables, such as frequency and diameter. They then discuss the relationship between variables. The task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations and make...
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The Wonderful World of Polymers
Seventh graders investigate the concept of polymers. They discover unique properties and how polymers are natural. The lesson contains sufficient background information for the teacher. Students examine different types of materials and...