Students design and conduct experiments in order to identify the components of lake water environments that are affected by winter ice cover. They use the experiment results to propose effective human management of these ecosystems.

Learners differentiate between how they use water in response to a need and how they use water for pleasure. They read books about water, participate in class discussion and illustrate their observations.

Sixth graders complete a lesson on the properties, types and amounts of water on Earth. In groups, they travel between stations to identify water resources in Illinois and pollution sources. They complete the lesson with a field trip...

Students observe a jar of pond water and predict how much life they think exists in the jar and watch a "Bill Nye: The Science Guy" video regarding protists. They participate in an online virtual pond dip where they begin to familiarize...

Young scholars photograph living organisms. In this plan for a field trip, students go to a local park or pond and photograph themselves with various living organisms on their scavenger hunt list. The photographs taken are compiled into...

Students are able to describe the reproductive cycle of the gopher frog. They are able to describe the impacts of habitat loss and degradtion on gopher frog populations. Students are explained that many factors limit the survival of...

Students explore the concept of beaver pond succession. In this succession lesson, students discuss what succession is and how it works. Students create a mural to present their understanding of this concept.

Second graders examine the characteristics of streams and rivers. They identify the types of resources lakes, ponds and oceans provide. They ask questions to complete the lesson plan.

Students complete a unit on the hobby of fishing. They assemble the line with the necessary equipment (hook, swivel, bobbers, weights, and lures.) They practice casting and discover what to do when they catch a fish. They follow with...

Students compare ways in which people form different cultures think about and deal with their physical environment and social conditions. They identify examples of change and recognize examples of cause and effect relationships. Students...

Students research and report on the life and times of Henry David Thoreau. In this Thoreau research lesson, students visit the given website and freewrite about Thoreau's life and home. Students work in groups to research and report on...

Students build a collage of an ecosystem. The goal is for them to understand interactions in a community, plant and animal adaptations, and how all life depends on plants. This activity is based on Wump World and students describe what...

Young scholars determine the characteristics of a stream ecosystem and its organisms.  In this water ecology lesson students complete several labs that shows them presence of life, water appearance, and water flow.

Students read and discuss books about aboriginal family life. Working individually and in groups, they complete a series of activities in various subject areas, including art, language, math, and social studies. Among the activities ...

Students study the life and biology of the Channel Catfish. For this aquatic biology lesson, students will examine the external and internal features of the catfish along with their breeding habits and environment. This lesson includes...

Young scholars explore the time of the dinosaurs. In this extinction lesson plan, students watch a video clip about different dinosaurs and are asked about what they observed. Young scholars talk about how dinosaurs hatched from eggs...

Students study ponds and wetland ecosystems and examine the food chains and webs in them.  In this aquatic ecosystems lesson students answer questions about the diversity of the flora and fauna in a pond. 

Eighth graders identify the parts and functions of the microscope. In this biology lesson, 8th graders observe different samples under different types of microscopes. They compare and contrast the details they see.

Students research a species of bug that they find in a pond.  In this species activity students work in groups and find the similarities and differences between different species of bugs. 

Students review components of a habitat and go on a hike around a pond and woods exploring different habitats and the plants and animals that use them. They examine mammal pelts and discuss the life histories, adaptations, and positions...

Seventh graders read, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," and write an expository essay discussing choices they have in society today compared with the character Kit.

Students review components present for a quality animal habitat and then explore a goose pond to find out what animals reside there. They learn how wildlife managers work with the land so everything can co-exist together.

Students read the novel, The Witch of Blackbird Pond. In groups, they conduct research using the Internet, encyclopedias, and books to gather information on an assigned colony. The projects are presented to the rest of the class.

Students investigate the essays and life of Thoreau in order to appreciate his point of view and understand his way of thinking. They participate in various activities and writing assignments to gain a similar perspective. Students write...