Curated OER
Weed Pull Preparation
Learners practice field identification of exotic invasive species. They identify and tag exotic invasive species in a local area using invasive species flash cards at a provided website.
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Ladybug Identification
In this ladybug pattern identification worksheet, students count and record the number of spots on the elytra of 13 ladybug species.
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Word Search: Common Seashore Plants
In this science worksheet, students find the names of 15 plant species common to the seashore in a word search puzzle. The word bank has detailed color drawings of each plant.
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Jay Play
Students explore animal characteristics by participating in a bird observation activity. In this blue jay identification lesson, students discuss the different types of blue jays native to their environment and bait them to come close...
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Plant Hunt
Students explore botany by conducting field research outside of class. In this plant species instructional activity, students examine a nearby park or beach in which they can dig and search for plants they aren't familiar with. Students...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Niche Partitioning Activity
Dinnertime on the African savanna is a highly choreographed event! Introduce young ecologists to the concept of niche partitioning through a hands-on activity. Pupils research animal behaviors and use data to develop an understanding of...
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What's That Tree?
Fifth graders identify trees along a nature trail. Using a dichotomous key, 5th graders answer questions to aid in their identification of trees along a specified nature trail. Observations are recorded in their science journals. Sample...
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Dichotomous Keys
Students utilize dichotomous keys to identify trees in their schools. In this ecological identification instructional activity, students practice creating dichotomous keys based on simple subjects such as hair color or sex of a...
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Name That Bird
Students view web sites about Birding. They explore how to identify species using a bird's silhouette, posture, size, flight patterns and habitat. They practice birdwatching and notetaking in the outdoors.
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Invasive Aquatic Plant Identification
Students observe aquatic plants and animals and identify their systems. In this plants and animals lesson plan, students compare systems of organisms and orally express how plants and animals rely on each other.
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Native Plant Species Web Quest
Learners visit USDA Plants Database Web site at
http://plants.usda.gov/ to identify native species of the Southern
Appalachian Region. They name and describe each species in general
terms in their field notebooks for the purpose of plant...
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Comparing Deciduous and Evergreen Trees
Students investigate nature by identifying different plants and trees. In this environmental field trip, students participate in a British Columbia expedition in which they identify cedar, pine, hemlock and Douglas fir trees. Students...
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Charting the Changes in Our School Forest
Fourth graders investigate the ecosystem and how forests are disappearing. In this environmental protection lesson plan, 4th graders analyze the changes in their school for 2 weeks. Students practice identifying trees, birds,...
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Animal Signs
Young scholars discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track animals. They participate in an hands-on activity in which they examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat"...
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Guidebook
Students create a guidebook page about a plant on the school grounds. In this life and plant science lesson, students identify plants around the school, then research the plant and write a narrative about it. Students publish the book...
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Investigative Case - "Malama Keone'o'io"
Students study techniques for conducting a local environmental assessment in an ecologically sensitive area. Identification of native plants and methodologies for sampling is taught in the classroom and then reinforced in the field. The...
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Protocol for Backyard Bird Research Project
Learners investigate a hypothesis about birds in their backyard using identification and survey skills.
NOAA
What's the Difference?
Due to the isolation of seamounts, their biodiversity offers a great deal of information on the development of biological and physical processes. Pupils use simple cluster analysis to rate the similarity and differences in biological...
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Coral Snapshots
Using photographs and a coral reef identification key, junior marine biologists compare changes in coral cover for a No-Take Area and the surrounding unprotected area. The data that is collected is then analyzed for richness,...
Down Syndrome Possibilities
Down Syndrome: Lesson Plan
You don't usually find lessons written just for learners with Down syndrome, so this is a true jewel. Kindergartners will explore farm animal sounds and identification as they sing the song, "Down on Grandpa's Farm." They sing the song,...
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HFS-What do we have growing on the school grounds?
Students observe school grounds and take pictures of plants, trees, and bushes for identification. In this plant life lesson, students identify plants with the help of guides and resources.
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University of California Botanical Garden Field Trip
Pupils explore plant species and the climates and conditions in their environment. They explore this living museum on the Garden's thirty-four acres to encounter over 13,000 plant species from around the globe.
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Do You Have the Key?
Students practice using a dichotomous key. In this classification lesson, students read an article about scientific exploration and identification of new species. They use a dichotomous key to identify objects and create their own key.
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Field Biology
Students work with 4th and 5th graders at Cascade Brook School in Farmington, to teach them skills in wildflower and fern identification, and then to help them implement a nature trail, which is accessible to the greater Farmington...