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Creating a Dichotomous Key for Families of Idaho Butterflies

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students are shown how to use the butterfly section of the Digital Altals of Idaho. They discuss how to make a dichotomous key. Students use their skills of observation and recognize defining characteristics that distinguish different...
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A is for Apple

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students participate in a variety of activities to learn about apples. Students graph apples, learn about apple uses, taste apples, and observe what happens when apples are dipped in lemon juice.
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Western Sunsets

For Teachers 3rd - 10th
Students observe and paint sunsets. In this sunsets lesson plan, students look outside and at pictures of sunsets, paint sunsets using water color or tempura paint, and cut out silhouettes from black paper and insert them into the painting.
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Side by Side: Butterfly Wings and Symmetry

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students observe butterfly images and then draw and paint their own design. They use this activity to explain symmetry.
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LOOKING AT LAWNS

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the importance of plants to animals by exploring their own schoolyard. They record relevant observations, findings, and measurements, using written language, drawings, charts, and graphs. They describe ways in...
Organizer
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Autumn's Palette

For Students 1st - 3rd
In this Ranger Rick worksheet, students participate in a nature walk, observe the leaves, and sketch some of the leaf shapes they encounter. Students also respond to a question regarding the range of leaf colors they observe.
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Autumn

For Teachers K
Students observe the different patterns of leaves and record their observations after reading the book "Autumn Leaves".
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Organisms and Their Environment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe elements of a local ecosystem and gain an understanding of what elements make up an ecosystem.  In this ecosystem lesson students create a class food web that shows the interactions among the elements of the...
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Ecosystems and Biodiversity

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss biodiversity and how to preserve it before examining biodiversity first-hand in an area close to their school. They collect as many leaves as possible from trees and plants and research them when upon returning to the...
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Plants and Roots

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Pupils discuss the parts of the plant and perform an experiment in which they observe a plant's water transportation system. They become familiar with several local plants used for utilitarian purposes.
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What are Properties of Wood?

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students use hands on scientific observation to determine characteristics of wood. They work directly with the materials and record their observations. Students test if wood absorbs water, if wood floats or sinks, and if all wood...
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Classification of an Echinoderm

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study starfish through dissection. In this biology lesson plan, students explore the lives of starfish as they view a slide show, observe parts of echinoderms, and compare the classification of the starfish with other...
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What Do Monarch Caterpillars Eat?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students use the scientific method to discover what monarch caterpillars eat. They observe the caterpillars for 2 minutes at a time and make observations.
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In the Field with Salamanders

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students observe salamanders, take pictures of them, and classify them into an online format. In this animal classification lesson, students use collection materials and digital camera to photograph and observe salamanders. Students...
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And the Rains Came Down: A South American Rainforest

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners examine the characteristics of a South American tropical rainforest. They analyze maps, develop graphs, listen to the book, The Great Kapok Tree, and create a rainforest mural.
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Composting

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Pupils discover the concept of decomposition. They examine how it makes the soil more fertile and how it helps plants. They put a compost bin in their backyard and record their observations.
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Working with Clay

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate how to work with clay after examine the book "Being Friendly to Trees." They make a clay square which they decorate with leaves that they find while taking a nature walk. They glaze their artwork and then...
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Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders construct a pond habitat in the classroom using a small swimming pool partially filled with water, real cattails, a tree log adjoining, and plastic animal life appropriate to a pond setting. They examine the frog in detail...
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Hold on Tight!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the relationship between plant roots and the soil in which they grow. They examine photos of uprooted trees and desert areas and conduct experiments designed to highlight this mutual relationship between roots and soil....
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What Role Do Forest Play in Continuing or Renewing Our Planet's Resources?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the interaction between the forest and wildlife. In this forestry lesson, students collect data about forest ecosystems, species of trees, photosynthesis, and interaction of organisms. They prepare a lab activity to...
Organizer
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Classification

For Students 6th - 8th
In this classification worksheet, students observe the fingerprints provided. Students decide upon a classification system to use to categorize the given fingerprints.
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Fractal and the Dragon Curve

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore Fractal designs. In this geometry activity, students observe the different polygons created in nature and relate it to math. They define polygons on planes and rotate polygons about a point.
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Nest Watch

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students describe the nests of three common birds. They build a specific type of bird nest, using the same materials a bird would use. Students build a nest platform to attract a nesting pair of osprey. They observe, record, and submit...
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Reclamation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize the importance of reclaiming the land after mining. They observe the experiment demonstrating the process of erosion and record their results of the effects of rain upon the land.