Curated OER
The Rain Cycle
Third graders draw the rain cycle. In this rain cycle lesson the students listen to the story The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tommie DePola. As they listen to the story they sketch what is happening. The students write a sentence for...
Curated OER
This Place is Going to the Dogs
Students study different breeds of dogs. They watch a video, "Extraordinary Dogs", about special dogs and how they are categorized according to their adaptations. Then they create a digital video that demonstrates the qualities of dogs...
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Classifying Rocks
Students classify rocks into groups after they observe the rocks and identify properties that can be used to divide them into groups. They then identify other properties that could be used to classify other objects into groups.
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Populations
Students calculate the area of grasslands needed to support a small pride of lions. They also identify food web links in an ecosystem and trace the energy pathways in an ecosystem.
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Grouping and Changing Materials
Students feel and observe different types of materials. Using the internet, they sort objects based on the materials they are made from and justify their reasons for putting it in a certain category. They identify objects that could...
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What's the Difference?
Students analyze the similarities in different species. This lesson plan is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. In this segment, students classify shoes to mimic the scientific categories of the classification system.
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Orienteering: Welcome to the Jungle
Students work together in groups to complete a treasure hunt. Using the school grounds, they search for pictures and stuffed animals of different species. They use a GPS to locate them and record which habitat they live. They calculate...
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Where Do I Belong?
Tenth graders study the diversity of life in the world. They classify and sketch organisms into the 6 kingdoms.
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Touching Traits
Students describe objects using only their sense of touch. In this lesson on describing characteristics, students use only their sense of touch to describe an unseen object in a box. This lesson can be used an an introduction to plant...
National First Ladies' Library
How Do Flowers Get Their Names?
Students study Carolus Linnaeus and his classification system of plants. They examine the origin of both both common and scientific names of flowers. They speculate how their favorite flowers came to be named and brainstorm about the...
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Camouflage
First graders learn how plants and animals adapt to their environments. In this camouflage lesson, 1st graders watch a movie that explains animal camouflage, design a butterfly that blends into a classroom habitat, create a mini...
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Arthur's Eyes
Students learn about the parts of the eye. In this eyes and vision instructional activity, students the story Arthur's Eyes and create a KWL chart about eyes. Students label the parts of the eye, examine the eyes of different...
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Arthur's Nose
Students read a story and complete a story map. In this diversity and acceptance instructional activity, students read Arthur's Nose, make a story map, research Aardvarks, complete a Venn Diagram comparing Arthur's nose to other...
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Under The Sea
In this resource lesson plan, students use non-fiction books to research ocean animals. Students discover the many features of non-fiction books and how to use these features to help them conduct research. Students then categorize...
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Galapagos Adaptations
Students examine photographs of closely related species found in the Gal??pagos environment, observe differences and similarities between species, and form hypotheses about species differences and the relationship to the environment of...
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Working for Water
Students examine the ways that government works to help improve aquatic habitats. In this water habitats lesson students view a video and plan a school restoration project.
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Chips Ahoy: Chip Off the Old Block
First graders compare and contrast adult and baby animals to identify similar characteristics shared by both.
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Native Versus Exotic
Students investigate the presence of exotic and natural species in the ecosystem. They define the differences between exotic and native while looking at one specific ecosystem in Maryland. They write how the exotic species are considered...
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Blue Planet: Open Ocean
Students research facts about animal species. In this ocean lesson students view a video, prepare illustrated cards and create a food-web display.
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Coqui Frog Camouflage
Students investigate the concept of the coqui frog of Puerto Rico. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students explain in oral or written form some of the characteristics to that identify the frog. The lesson includes...
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Intertidal Field Trip
Students explore an intertidal zone. In this science lesson plan, students travel to an intertidal zone. Students collect data and create species accumulation curves.
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The Great Winged Adventure
Students identify characteristics of birds, name several species, and explain how birds fly. They make nests and give bird presentations.
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Life at Risk
Students examine the characteristics of the peregrine falcon. They investigate endangered and extinct species, and how the environment affects the process.
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Variations for Survival
Fifth graders examine two related organisms that live in different environments and compare how the physical characteristics of each organism provided it with survival advantages unique to its own environment.