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Life in a Log
Learners identify insects living in rotting logs. In this decomposition lesson, students observe pieces of a rotting log, they look at the insects that have inhabited the log and create a chart that shows their findings.
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Twig Match
Learners practice observing and identifying the characteristics of twigs. They attempt to identify trees after their leaves have fallen off. They describe the twigs and participate in a matching activity with the twigs and student...
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How A Garden Grows
Fourth graders explore the importance of plants to animals and visa versa. After reading a book, The Tree in the Ancient Forest, they explore how plants and animals are independent. Students list living and nonliving things they...
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Ecosystems: Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Seventh graders examine proper journaling techniques, and record observations about at tree after listening to a read aloud of "Four Worlds: The Dine Story of Creation." They study the difference between living and non-living things, and...
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Arbor Day
First graders study the importance of trees to our environment. they make their own version of the story by completing the following sentence and then completing an illustration for their writing. "A tree can be ______."
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Where Food Grows
Students identify how vegetable plants grow. In this plant lesson, students brainstorm different fruits and vegetables and read the book Growing Vegetable Soup. Students visit a garden and observe how vegetables grow.
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Don't Wait, Just Propagate
Students explore the process of growing plants from seed. In this propagation lesson plan, students examine methods of propagation and determine how to rapidly propagate plant species. Students listen to a lecture informing them on the...
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Tour of the Frozen Ground
Students discuss and observe permafrost features in their local community and compare and contrast these features with those described in a novel. In this permafrost instructional activity, students invite an elder from their community...
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Apples, Apples, Apples
Young scholars complete activities using apples that help improve their science, math, and reading skills. In this apple lesson, students read the book Apples, Apples Apples and visit an orchard or farmer's market to buy a variety of...
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Looking At Leaves
Pupils investigate the different leaves of Wisconsin. They gather samples of leaves in order to compare to the samples taken from Puerto Rico. They make observations and collect data recording the size, shape, and texture of the...
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Leaf Collection
Learners examine the tree species in Pennsylvania. In this Pennsylvania tree lesson students use field guides to assist them in identifying tree species.
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Arbor Day Lesson Plans
Arbor Day provides a great way to teach students about trees, plants, and why we need to protect our planet.
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Science: Leaf Study
First graders go on a leaf-hunting expedition around the schoolyard. They determine from which trees they fell using identification cards. Students read several books about leaves and apply their artistic skills by using the collected...
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Window Gardens
Young scholars use a plastic sandwich bag containing a damp paper towel taped to a window as a model system to observe the germination and early growth of radish seeds. They are challenged to pose a question about seed germination and...
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Quadrate Lab
Young scholars investigate tree stems and conduct an experiment on how non living factors affect living factors. In this tree stems lesson plan, students observe and record physical characteristics, and make predictions on what factors...
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Seed Bugs; Stage 2
Students examine nature by participating in an environmental art activity. In this imaginary creature lesson, students discuss the importance of a habitat when pertaining to wild animals or bugs. Students utilize tree parts which they...
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Leaf Unit
Students complete a unit on leaves and their functions. They identify leaves and the trees they belong to, read various books, observe the process of photosynthesis on a flannel board, and create a leaf collage.
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A Field of Stars
Students discover the earth can be compared to the shape of an apple, having a spherical shape, and has a north and south pole. They listen to the story, "A Field of Stars" and then observe as the apple is cut open on the equator to...
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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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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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Building a Dichotomous Key
Students analyze how a dichotomous key helps us explain and identify unknown organisms. They design and construct a dichotomous key, developing a list of three observable characteristics per organism.
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Life Cycles: A Never-Ending Story
Second graders describe the sequence of events in the life cycles of a butterfly, frog, and a deer. They observe the differences and similarities of parents and babies. They also discover that at different stages the animals can be...
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Eyewitness Accounts
Learners role-play to show the eyewitness accounts of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. In this volcanic eruption lesson, students act as reporters, eyewitnesses, and scientists to dramatize the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. They discuss the...
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Crayon Resist Fall Leaves
Students observe the different colors in fall leaves. They create a multi-color fall leaf in the crayon-resist technique.