Curated OER
Keys and Webs
Students explore and classify organisms found in a Rocky Mountain Ecosystem. Through discussions, students examine the effects upon an ecosystem if a component was removed or a new component was added. As a class, they survey reasons...
Curated OER
Local Animal Sort
Students examine the concepts of sorting and classifying animal. They use familiar animals to determine the connections between physical characteristics and categorization.
Curated OER
Soil Stories
Tenth graders collect and analyze soil samples and extrapolate the characteristics needed to support different types of plant life. They research different types of prairie soil and how it supports plant and animal life.
Curated OER
Costa Rican Food Chain
Discuss the animals and plants in the rainforest food chain using this lesson. Learners talk about and do research on the top predators from the Costa Rican region and create a model of one of them in class. They also make a visual model...
Curated OER
Prairie Predator and Prey
Fifth graders brainstorm a list of animals that live on the prairie, and classify them as predators and prey. They conduct interviews where they ask the animals what they need to look out for to sustain life on the prairie.
Curated OER
Classification Scheme
Fourth graders discuss different classification schemes for living organisms. They group common household items to discover many ways to classify organisms. Students compare/contrast characteristics of each classification.
Curated OER
Animal Tracks Program
Entice your learners with this lesson plan on animal footprints. After reading the story Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin, they use photos to identify animals and their footprints. Then they participate in an activity to...
Curated OER
School Yard Park/ Ecosystem
Fifth graders examine ecosystems in their schoolyard. In this nature and ecosystem lesson, 5th graders map their schoolyard into workable plots. They classify plants and animals found in the plot. They revisit their site every two weeks...
Curated OER
Plant Classification
Young scholars share with the class how they think plants are classified and are assessed on their prior knowledge. They use a packet to complete throughout the week at their own pace, which includes various activities to familiarize...
Curated OER
Seed Dispersal
In this seed dispersal worksheet, students classify plants and fruits. Students group plants and fruits with the mode of dispersal by which their seeds travel.
Curated OER
Fruits and Veggies - Yum!
Students use Inspiration to drag pictures of fruits and vegetables into the correct category. They discuss the name of other fruits and vegetables. They explain why or why not they like that particular fruit or vegetable. Students...
Curated OER
Variation
Students recognize similarities and differences in plants. In this plants and animals lesson, students begin to classify living things by observable characteristics. Students watch clips from the Internet and play online games. Students...
Curated OER
Forest Food Chains and Webs
Students explore forest ecological systems. For this ecology lesson, students classify forest plants and animals according to their ecological roles. Students play a related vocabulary guessing game. Students choose a card on which...
Curated OER
Mini-Ponds
In this mini pond worksheet, students create a mini-pond ecosystem with soil, water, and plant life. Students let their ecosystem sit for a day and they observe a sample the next day. Students identify all the pond water microorganisms...
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...
Alabama Learning Exchange
What Kind of Plant is it?
Learners evaluate the differences between vascular and nonvascular plants and practice classifying the plants into categories. They demonstrate using drawing software to create two slides showing vascular plants and nonvascular plants.
Curated OER
Survey of the Plant Kingdom
In this plant kingdom worksheet, students will review the characteristics of the 12 divisions of the plant kingdom, comparing and contrasting their structures and life cycles. This worksheet has 17 matching, 5 short answer, and 5 fill in...
Curated OER
Ethnobotany Research Paper
Students are introduce and discuss Ethnobotany and develop their own research writing. Pupils research plants that have already been identifyed as having medicinal or cultural/historical value around the world. They investigate...
Cornell University
Classification
Explore the scientific method of classification. An interactive activity asks learners to create a classification system for a group of objects and develop a flow chart to communicate their systems. In addition, individuals use a...
National Park Service
Living & Non-Living Interactions
What better way to learn about ecosystems than by getting outside and observing them first hand? Accompanying a field trip to a local park or outdoor space, this series of collaborative activities engages children in...
Scholastic
Minibeasts
Lead young scientists to discover insects outdoors. After investigating, students will record observations, learn about these fascinating creatures, craft, and role play.
Pyro Innovations
Beach Exploration
Little ones will absolutely love this lesson plan. It's all about the beach and what they can find while sifting through the sand. A large bucket of sand filled with hidden items is brought into the classroom. Learners will discuss what...
CK-12 Foundation
Venn Diagrams: Planets and Dwarf Planets of the Solar System
Yes, Venn diagrams are helpful in science, too. Learners use an interactive to classify celestial bodies as having moons, as dwarf plants, as both, or as neither. They answer a set of challenge questions based on the Venn diagrams they...
American Museum of Natural History
Start a Rock Collection
Rocks hold evidence of Earth's past. A three-step guide describes the process of creating a rock collection. It provides a data collection sheet to make notes about each sample.