Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wildlife Around the World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how plants are able to adapt to their ecosystem and the role that fire plays in changes through the years.  In this ecosystem lesson students complete several exercises focussing on plants and their adaptations to.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science in the Courtroom: The Woburn Toxic Trial

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students role-play expert witnesses in a mock trial dealing with contamination of groundwater. They prepare for the role-play by studying the movement of groundwater and the transport of contaminants through computations, map exercises...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Repopulating Michigan's Waterways

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders identify the parts of an ecosystem and how communities change over time.  In this ecology lesson students formulate a habitat restoration plan.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worm Compost & Vermicomposting

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore vermicomposting, the species of worms needed and the proper climate for it.  In this composting instructional activity students make their own worm compost bin. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hunting Invertebrate Fossils in the Classroom

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students acquire a general knowledge of fossils and paleontology, the study of evidence of life in the past and identify the major invertebrate groups (phyla) commonly found in the fossil record.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

People Are Like Peas in a Pod

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students experiment with pea pods to observe/appreciate the diversity of individuals within a population, and to explain of how dominant and recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes help produce variation in a population.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Kids about the Environment

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify the species of plants and animals found in an environment. They compare these findings to plant and animal species found in an unlike environment. Students acquire and compare soil samples from the two sites chosen.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tag and Recapture

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders participate in an activity in which colored jelly beans represent fish in a lake--10 green jellybeans per "lake" representing tagged fish. They draw from the beans (fish) and record the number of tagged fish they draw...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars compare wolves' behaviors to those of the human race.  In this wolf lesson students write a story that will show that wolves are either good or evil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wolves: Friend or Foe?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study wolves and their habitat in Yellowstone.  In this environment and behavior instructional activity students create an interactive map of wolves in Yellowstone.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jane Goodall, Renowned Naturalist and Champion of Chimpanzees

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students study the life of Jane Goodall and how she made an impact studying chimpanzees.  In this endangered species lesson students write in their journals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Loneliest Animals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the different species that are headed towards extinction.  In this animal population lesson students compare the causes of extinction, research an endangered species and present an oral report. 
Unit Plan
Montana Natural History Center

Studying Grassland Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 5th Standards
At first glance, grassland ecosystems might seem dull and uninteresting, but once you start to explore it's amazing the things you'll find! Through this series of engaging lessons, activities, and experiments, elementary students examine...
PPT
Curated OER

Fayettewood Squares

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
If used as a center activity, this short presentation could be a motivating way for learners to review material relating to plants, the circulatory system, and more. However, there are only nine questions. It would be more useful if...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hot Hamsters

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Using this quick activity, you can have your class review what they have learned about mammals. Learners sit in a circle, and take turns naming a mammal. This activity could be enriched by having learners go to their desks, identify a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roots: The Ancestry of Modern People

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the models for the origin of modern humans and the conditions that facilitate speciation and evolution. The classification and nomenclature of hominid species is also examined.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Difference?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze the similarities in different species. This lesson 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification of Animals

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders practice classiyfying items and identify three major characteristics scientists use to classify animals. They describe the differences between ectothermic and endothermic animals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nuts & Bolts: is Classification, Arbitrary, Or Not?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students, in groups, classify furniture, share their categories and rationales, then note how their different schemes vary, perfectly logical and useful, but completely arbitrary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders sort insects into groups by determining similar characteristics. They role play as Entomologists to sort insects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Powdery Mildew Fungi: Classification and Ecology

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars use a written key or illustrated key to identify fungi on plant leaves into its genus based on sexual or asexual reproduction, host range diversity, and host-parasite relationships.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Minerals of the Earth

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students learn and practice identifying Earth's minerals and their properties. Working in small groups, they evaluate minerals. This is a well-described lesson plan, which students enjoy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Are Soils Classified?

For Teachers K - 5th
Students list the three texture groups that classify soils. They classify a soil sample as sandy, silty or clay soil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flowers and Plants

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars are assigned to bring five flowers. They explore flowers to distinguish different physical features of flowers. They compare and contrast different flowers to determine what features they have in common. Students...