Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Edge of Home

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain why some species of plants and animals occur in more than one area. They watch as the teacher puts an overlapping circles on the chalkboard, students are asked to predict what kinds of things they would expect to find in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Strawberry Fields

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the origin of strawberries and employees involved with picking strawberries. In this algebra lesson, students discuss how much a worker who picks strawberry makes based on their flats. They create a table with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hos Do the Jaguar and Howler Monkeys in Belize Depend on Us?

For Teachers 1st
First graders access the internet and use the sites provided to research Belize, and in particular, the Howler Monkey and Jaguar. Students participate in activities/centers utilizing the information they discovered.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where the Buffalo Roam

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
PPT
Biology Junction

Mammals

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Mammals include more than 4,000 species and represent the most dominant land animals on Earth. Scholars learn about the large variety of mammals, including orders unfamiliar to most. The presentation highlights the characteristics and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independence and Conservation

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars read an original story "Brothers of the Rainforest" downloaded from the internet site provided. Students investigate the impact of the demise of a particular species on the rest of the environment. Young scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity Activity

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students are introduced to biodiversiy. They use a simulation of two forests, one planted with only Douglas Fir trees, and one with diverse species of trees. Students also use the simulation of two forests, one a monoculture of only one...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the theory of evolution and the controversy.  In this evolution lesson students view a film on Charles Darwin then they write an essay about whether or not intelligent design should be taught in science class. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Endangered Species- Florida Panther

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate the concept of the conservation of the Florida Panther and examine the effects of the Everglades water restoration project. They conduct a web based activity that includes the following: Listing what they know,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How do new species form?

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders conduct a critical analysis of current evolutionary concepts. They describe how scientists continue to investigate theories. Students examine examples with experimental data that suggest alternative methods of species...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alien Invasions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create an educational pamphlet on the origins, spread and impact of invasive plant species in their community.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raising Rhino Awareness

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a poster that promotes awareness about endangered animals. In this biology instructional activity, students explain the impact of rhinoceros poaching. They create a poem about them and present it in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galapagos Adaptations

For Teachers 5th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Biodiversity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine several maps of California exhibiting features such as precipitation, topography, and vegetation. They look for patterns that might be the source of or influence biodiversity in different regions. They pay...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution: Natural Selection

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners analyze and discuss the evolutionary history of dinosaurs.  In this investigative lesson students monitor different organisms in the environment and analyze the pressures that affect the chances of survival. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are You Thirsty: The Effects of Pollution on Drinking Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the different causes of water pollution. In this ecology instructional activity, students brainstorm ways to purify polluted water. They formulate their conclusion based on the results of the experiments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bird Banners

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students, after researching the internet for information about native bird species, create an informational banner. They follow all the directions from their copy of "Bird Banner Guidelines" and complete this task in groups of four or five.
Interactive
Curated OER

Charles Darwin

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about Charles Darwin. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lewis and Clark: Artful Recordings

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the nature journals of Lewis and Clark. In this primary source analysis lesson, students research the journals that the members of the Corps of Discovery kept during the expedition and then conduct further research on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In a Class of Their Own

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore taxonomy and how birds are classified in this scientific system. They use this knowledge to create entries for a field guide to birds that can be used to identify different species.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Disappearing Fish

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the theories behind the drastic decline of the wild salmon population and the ecological ramifications of this decline.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carnival of Carnivores

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research different species of meat-eating animals in their natural environments to create a Carnival of Carnivores exhibit for their classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going the Way the Wind Blows

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the cause and effect relationship between geography and ancient civilizations. After reading an article, they determine how new findings can help scientists examine the migration patterns of these civilizations. Using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Matter of Life and Death

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research burial tombs of ancient Egypt and Acting as pharaohs of Egypt, students create burial plans to illustrate what items they would include in their own tombs and why. They then act as archaeologists and analyze other...