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Birth, Growth, And Development
Students understand that all living things have a life cycle that includes being born, developing into an adult, reproducing, and eventually dying.
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Recycled Water?
Students participate in a hands-on activity to investigate how water is recycled in a small environment, and determine how water is cycled on earth.
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We are where and what we eat
Students explore concepts of plants they eat, where and how they grow and are introduced to genetic diversity. They examine seed characteristics, look at their different sizes, shapes and germination time. They also set up seeds to...
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PLANTS LOVE AIR
Students identify that plants cannot develop adequately without air and predict what happens to the leaf of a geranium brought to class. They draw a picture of what they think the leaf will look like after a week of being covered....
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Chemicals in Your Life
In this chemicals activity, students fill in 61 blanks of statements comparing the chemicals used in farming and the chemicals found in medicines and food.
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The Effects of Solar Energy
Students examine how solar energy is absorbed and used. In this solar energy lesson students complete several activities that allow them to better understand solar energy.
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Biotic Factors
Students identify individual organism, a species, and a population within the study community. They identify biotic factors at the site and attempt to characterize the site's species diversity.
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Sludge
Students become familiar with the idea that sludge is a waste product but can also be a resource, depending on its characteristics and how we manage it. They read information and answers questions on a worksheet imbedded in this plan.
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The Biological Carbon Cycle
Learners learn about the biological carbon cycle. In this carbon cycle instructional activity, students access the web site and mouse over the diagrams to follow the carbon cycle. They read about what happens to humans and plants during...
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Decomposition
Students create a compost pile and chart changes as the materials decompose. Students draw pictures of items placed into their "landfill" and predict how and whether the item will change or not. After two weeks, students write...
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Decomposition
Students create a compost pile and chart changes as the materials decompose. Students draw pictures of items placed into their "landfill" and predict how and whether the item will change or not. After two weeks, students write...
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The Portable Niche
Third graders, in groups, research animals, plants, and conditions found in ecosystems.
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Water Quality
Learners conduct experiments to study the quality of water. They examine how pollutants get into and affect the water supply in this unit.
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Can Fun Gus Help Plants/Trees Grow?
Students participate in an experiment in which they test the growth of different types of plants. They discover how growth rates vary using inoculum. They draw pictures and are read books about plants to end the lesson.
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Sun or Shade?
Third graders use a thermometer to measure the air temperature in several places around the school and then graph the data. They grow 3 plants in different sunlight and record the growth.
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A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK
Based on a set of criteria, pupils will evaluate the quality of pecans.1. Bring a gram scale and papershell pecans. Provide five pecans for each student. 2. Divide the class into groups of five and provide each member with five pecans....
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Sun and Shade
Students explore the ways that plants adapt to their environments. They examine plants that thrive in the shade, versus plants that thrive in direct sunlight. Special attention is devoted to the shape of leaves on respective sun and...
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Terrariums for Project Pals
Students identify the components needed by plants to survive in the terrarium. In this biology lesson, students build their own terrariums using materials available. They present their project in class.
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The Acid Rain Test
Fourth graders engage in a research project to increase their ability to conduct experiments, interpret data and discuss results in a scientific paper. After doing a lab which simulates effects of acid rain, pairs of students write a...
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The Principles Of Composting
Students put items in a plastic bag and watch the effects of composting. While completing the experiment, students answer questions and ask permission to start their own compost pile at home.
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Compost Columns
In this unit of lessons, middle schoolers examine the role of compost columns and recycling. They create a KWL chart about garbage in Chicago. They also examine life cycles and packaging of everyday products.
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Agriculture
Students examine the types of agriculture in their own state and in their local community. They examine how food makes it to their local grocery store. They compare data from different states.
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Snowball Fight
Students examine the weather conditions throughout the globe. As a class, they discover the impact of snow on various types of crops. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they form raindrops and calculate the...
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Investigate Factors Affecting Nitrates in Groundwater
Students participate in an experiment in which they investigate the factors affecting the levels of nitrates in groundwater. Using examples, they explain the nitrogen cycle and identify the sources of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. ...