ReadWriteThink
Webcams in the Classroom: Animal Inquiry and Observation
Boost observational skills with an inquiry-based lesson that takes scholars on a virtual field trip. With help from webcams, learners observe animals in a zoo or aquarium. Observations go into a journal and a discussion is held to review...
Rainforest Alliance
Investments in Forest Carbon
One hundred metric tons of CO2 can accumulate in one acre of forest over time—that's a lot of carbon! In the activity, groups of middle school learners determine what makes forests important. They then solidify the concept by using a...
Kenan Fellows
Unit 4: The Brain
Drugs interact with the brain to alter moods, emotions, and behaviors by changing the brain's chemistry, perceptions, and interactions. The final lesson in the Pharmacology unit shows scholars experiments, has them complete four labs,...
Curated OER
Pet Rescue
Students, in teams, follow the process of design, including the stages of investigation, creation, and reflection, as they devise a way to help "save" a (simulated) pet who is trapped in a pipe.
Curated OER
How Much is That Monkey in the Window?
Students investigate exotic pets and the ecological and personal risks involved in trading and owning such animals. They synthesize their knowledge by creating advertisements that promote the sale of exotic pets and picket signs that...
Curated OER
Way Down in the Deep Blue Sea
Uncover the mysterious wonders of the ocean with activities that span the subjects!
Scholasic
The Magic School Bus and the Missing Tooth
We chew with our teeth every day, but how much do we really know about them? Allow Ms. Frizzle to teach your kids a thing or two about teeth. Kids complete a prereading exercise, read the book, and respond to several prompts about the...
Curated OER
What is a Pet?
Students define what a pet is and what it needs to be healthy and happy. They explore pets through the use of of puppets and/or stuffed animals and discover what a pet needs by identifying items in a "pet bag."
Rainforest Alliance
Forests of Guatemala
With 90 percent of its land area covered in forests, Suriname, a country in South America, contains the largest percentage of forests throughout the world. Here is an activity that brings classmates together to learn about the...
Forest Foundation
The Web of Life
Producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers. To begin a study of the forest ecosystem, learners examine the connections among the members of ecological communities.
Curated OER
The Five Classes of Vertebrates
What a terrific lesson! Learners discuss the animal kingdom, and classify them as vertebrates and invertebrates. They also identify them as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. There is even a taxonomic breakdown of popular...
Curated OER
Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
Exactly how environmentally friendly is your school? From the air fresheners in the bathrooms to the cleaning solvents used in the classrooms, young conservationists search the school grounds for sources of air pollution in...
Curated OER
Pets: Oh Behave
They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Why is that? Discuss with your class why people like pets and the responsibilities with owning one. They read an article about pet behavior and write a short essay comparing one of their...
Curated OER
Keeping Pets Safe in an Emergency
Students discuss what ifs with relation to their pets. In this keeping pets safe lesson plan, students create lists of pet items needed in case of disasters. Students complete worksheets related to pet safety in emergencies.
Curated OER
Meet the Animals
The class will examine a series of live or stuffed animals in order to learn how different animals survive in distinctive habitats. As they examine each animal, they will be asked a series of critical thinking questions geared at getting...
Curated OER
"Fall"owing Changes in the Season
Students create a whole class A-B-"C"eason Book. Each student is responsible for creating a "letter" page relating to changes, adaptations, or other fall concepts. After hard copies of the class ABC books are created, the teachers using...
Curated OER
Caring for Pets - Hamsters
Students recognize what is needed to care for a class pet. In this class pet instructional activity, students feed, and care for a hamster. Students recognize that the cage needs changing and the hamster needs food...
Curated OER
Fable of the Fainting Goat
Second graders explore animal life by reading children stories in class. In this goat fable lesson, 2nd graders read several books which describe the different myths and folklore about goats. Students identify the needs of living animals...
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Investigating Evidence
Explore the scientific process through nature. Scholars become scientists as they develop a question, design an experiment, collect data, and analyze their results. A two-week lesson guides your classes through the process and provides...
PBS
Analyzing Information - Can Pigs be Pets?
Engage your scholars in a discussion about pigs! Scholars analyze information about keeping pigs as pets and write a persuasive paragraph. An informational text and video are included for research. While examining these materials, class...
American Museum of Natural History
Keeping a Field Journal
Young scientists begin a field journal by following four steps. A real-world example of an entry showcases the different parts, including location, date, drawings, and more.
Curated OER
Good Answers for Pet Problems
Students examine qualities of pet owners. In this animal welfare instructional activity, students discuss the reasons people give up their pets and the problems that pet relinquishment may cause. Students create posters that promote...
Curated OER
LIONS and TIGERS and BEARS. . .Oh My! Animals of Connecticut and the World
Students identify and list the different types of pets owned by the children in the class.
They graph the total number of each type of pet owned. They draw or cut-out a picture of an animal. Using the materials listed above, the children...
Curated OER
The Circle of Life: Food Chain
Students develop a flow chart using computer software to show a food chain combination. In this food chain lesson, students are first read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry, then they create a story map of the story. Next,...