Curated OER
Floods: Rising Waters and You
Students examine the relationship between human-made structures, flood waters and the increasing population through video clips, websites and a lab experiment.
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Discovering the Physical Geography of Washington
Students develop a mental map of the state of Washington and draw it on paper. Using the Virtual Atlas, they identify the physical features of the state and draw them on their map. They also examine the populations and diversity of the...
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Gray Whales on the Move
Students study whale migration and their natural history. In this migration lesson plan students plot whale migration on a map and describe their ecosystems.
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Life Beyond the Fifty Yard Line -- An ecological look at our backyard
Students, in groups, stake out and rope off their study area, do population counts and density studies. They construct a map of the whole area, collect plants and insects, and mount and identify the organisms using keys.
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Biological Succession in a Microecosystem
Students investigate the concept of biological succession by simulating the process in a microenvironment with various microorganisms. By engaging in a lab, students determine the factors causing succession and learn population sampling...
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Animals in the Wild
Students explore the role of snakes in an ecosystem and discover how snakes warn us that they are dangerous. They view and discuss a Discovery Channel video showcasing snakes in the wild then break into small groups to research a...
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My Spelling Words: Spelling List #169
In this spelling worksheet, students read and write twelve spelling words. Afterward, they solve a crossword puzzle using the words. All words are related to the ecosystem and endangered animals.
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Ecology Vocabulary Exercise: Wetlands
In this ecology vocabulary exercise: wetlands worksheet, students read the definitions of 8 words, then categorize a species found in a wetland in their region. This page has numerous links to helpful web resources.
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Pollinators and Wildflowers
Young scholars explore how plants depend on pollinators to reproduce. In this pollination lesson students dissect a local flower and collect and identify pollinating insects.
Michigan Sea Grant
Wetlands
Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...
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Wetland Plant Detectives
Sixth graders identify plants in the wetlands. In this plant detectives lesson plan, 6th graders complete a scavenger hunt on a local reserve, record observations, and respond in their journals.
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Seeds of Wetland Life
Students participate in several activities on seed exploration. In this biology lesson, students classify seeds according to their dispersal method. They explain the different adaptations plant have to disperse their seeds.
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White-tailed Deer: Beauty or Beast?
Students use study guides and videos to discuss the positive and negative impacts of white-tailed deer populations. In this wildlife management lesson, students view slides and discuss the natural history and value of deer as a resource....
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It's all Interconnected
Learners participate in a number of activities to investigate the food web, species extinction, predators and prey, and biological diversity.
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Australian Ecology and Bushfires
Eighth graders discuss the different types of ecosystem. For this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain the benefits and harm of fire. They research articles about bush fires or controlled burn instance and share it with the class.
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I Depend on You, You Depend on Me!
High schoolers explore the interdependency between humans and the ecosystems. They examine how uncontrolled development threatens the rain forests. They discuss how human actions affect the rain forest.
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Presenting Ecology through Rodent Control
Pupils role play the member of a health department task force. In groups, they develop their own recommendations to control the rodent problem in the area. They email their local government official and research information about the...
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Insect Biodiversity
Students observe the process of transect sampling using insect nets, to get a chance to compare the presence of different species and populations in various vegetational areas. They study the different specimens caught and compare their...
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Cypress/Tupelo Swamps
Students study the geologic history of terrain, soils, and drainage patterns. They recognize ecological processes that determine the dynamic nature of habitats. They investigate the influence of human activity on the landscape.
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Investigating comparative biodiversity of wetland and schoolyard sites
Fourth graders participate in an activity dealing with the environment.
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Estuary Issues
Fifth graders read a description of an estuary and search for problems that occur there. For this estuary lesson, 5th graders mediate controversial issues for the best solutions.
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Compettion at its Best
Sixth graders role play predators, prey and other parts of the aquatic ecosystem. They show inter and intra-specific competition as well as the link between abiotic and biotic components in an ecosystem. Students play games about the...
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Gone Fishing
Students examine the effects of various methods of fishing on fish populations and biodiversity. They read a handout, participate in a simulation of different fishing methods, record the results, and answer discussion questions.