Curated OER
Ecology Lessons
Students examine the relationship between animal adaptations, habitats and community interactions. For this ecology lesson students complete a skull detective worksheet then use their knowledge to analyze a skull.
Curated OER
Making a Mini Worm Habitat
Students explore the process of converting organic waste into usable fertilizer. They observe how living and nonliving things interact with one another by making a mini-worm habitat.
Curated OER
Predator-Prey Simulation
Young scholars simulate a predator-prey interaction in an ecosystem. Students use different size squares cut from paper to represent predators and prey. They simulate the interactions of the species by following instructions for the...
Curated OER
Under the Sea Webquest
Fourth graders work in small groups to research a selected species of ocean creature. They conduct Internet research, complete a WebQuest and worksheet, and complete a group oral presentation that includes an illustration of the food...
Curated OER
Visiting a Marine Sanctuary
Students gather information on a kelp forest and identify species in that ecosystem. In this underwater ecosystem lesson plan students gather data, give an oral presentation and create a poster.
Curated OER
Evidence of Climate Change
Sixth graders examine climate change in the state of Colorado. In this climate lesson, 6th graders watch 2 video clips regarding the topic and research the subtopics- snow pack, precipitation, temperature, forest fires, river flow,...
Curated OER
Using and Creating a Dichotomous Key
Students assess what a dichotomous key is and how it identifies objects in a group through a process of answering yes/no-type questions about certain objects. They examine an interactive graphic key on sea turtles and then create their...
Curated OER
Population Biology
In this population activity, students will compare two population growth graphs and complete four short answer questions. Then students will investigate the factors that influence population growth in 8 fill in the blank statements and 4...
Curated OER
Where are the Dinosaurs?
Students construct their own diorama based on the life of a dinosaur. In this dinosaur lesson, students create models of dinosaurs and dinosaurs' eggs to explore the life cycle of this extinct species.
Curated OER
For The Birds
Seventh graders list the features of an ecosystem and identify local bird species. In this bird lesson students work in groups to formulate a hypothesis and test their theory by collecting and analyzing data.
Virginia Department of Education
Predator-Prey Simulation
Do your pupils have the misconception that environmental predators are "bad" and harm smaller creatures? The simulation explains, in detail, the important role predators play in maintaining a stable ecosystem. Through web-based research,...
Virginia Department of Education
Ecosystem Dynamics
Searching for an eccentric way to enhance lessons on ecosystems while ensuring pupils remain creative and motivated? Upon viewing The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, designated groups design and construct a pop-up book that...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Leaf Litter Ecology Lab
Some organisms spend their entire lives in leaf litter. The third in a series of six is a great lesson exploring the community of leaf litter. Groups gather and then spread leaf litter over white paper and remove leaves/twigs while...
ARKive
Adaptations to Arid Habitats
How do plants and animals survive in habitats with very little water? Explore arid ecosystems and the way their inhabitants have adapted with a instructional activity and science experiment. After kids listen to a presentation about...
Education Outside
Creature Jeopardy!
After conducting research on a given scientific animal name, group members take a walk around their school and look for the specified animals in that classification. Then, they come back to their worksheets and create five creative clues...
eSkeletons
Skeleton Scramble Puzzle: Suborder Prosimians
Explore the finer details of primate skulls with these puzzles, incorporating advanced scientific analysis of two suborders- Prosimians and Anthropoidea- and one superfamily- Hominoidea. Learners read about the unique characteristics of...
Curated OER
Ecological Relationships
Students identify ecological elements and their factors on species, populations and food webs. They analyze ecosystems for these elements and research how these factors influence species survival rate. Predictions on conditions over time...
Curated OER
Life in the Kelp Forest
Students research and create a marine food web to learn about plants and animals in a kelp forest. For this marine food web lesson, students draw lines between kelp forest predators and prey and show the flow of energy in the food web....
Curated OER
Present-Day Rapid Extinctions
In this extinction worksheet, students review the different human activities that are leading to present-day rapid extinctions. This worksheet has 9 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Establishing a Baseline Ecology of a Creek Ecosystem
Students investigate the physical, chemical and biological parameters necessary to establish an ecological baseline. Establishing an ecological baseline not only shows the ecological characteristics of a creek but makes the possible...
Curated OER
Indicator Species
Students explore the ecological foundation of India's and ways to save the forests, water and the India tiger. After a lecture on identifying a healthy forest and the importance of the animals, students participate in activities to...
Curated OER
What Role Do Forest Play in Continuing or Renewing Our Planet's Resources?
High schoolers explore the interaction between the forest and wildlife. In this forestry lesson, students collect data about forest ecosystems, species of trees, photosynthesis, and interaction of organisms. They prepare a lab activity...
Curated OER
Native Plants: An Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Students recognize various California native species by their physical appearances and characteristics. They recognize the adaptations that plants make to their surroundings and how humans make use of plants.
Curated OER
Wildlife Needs
Students identify the wildlife needs in a specific setting. In this wildlife needs lesson, students identify and illustrate the four stages of forest succession. Students list the natural habitat and food for a given species. Students...