Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Hunt

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students identify the common trees of Iowa and make observations while creating a key. In this tree hunt lesson, students write a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to receive a pamphlet of Common Trees of Iowa. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Five: Identifying Christmas Trees

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Stuudents distinguish between pines, spruces and firs they may see in their homes, by recognizing key characteristics such as shape, arrangement of needles and colouring. They recognize these same characteristics in trees growing outside.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking At Leaves

For Teachers K - 4th
Pupils investigate the different leaves of Wisconsin. They gather samples of leaves in order to compare to the samples taken from Puerto Rico. They make observations and collect data recording the size, shape, and texture of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dichotomous Key for Identifying Pine Trees

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the species of pine trees that are found in their area. They use unlabeled "mystery" samples and a dichotomous key to identify the pine trees to species. After identification, they use a field guide to answer worksheet...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Identification

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students are introduced to the characteristics of trees and different techniques to identify them. They distinguish between a deciduous and a coniferous tree. Students describe at least four characteristics used to identify trees. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Anatomy

For Teachers K
Students learn the basic anatomy of a tree through exploration of tree centers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecologist's Activities

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students construct a model of a biome. In this ecology lesson, students use a shoebox, magazine pictures, paper, and string to create a model biome. Students glue the photos inside the shoe box and draw other objects, such as plants,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Inspiration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students relate math to the real world. In this algebra lesson plan, students compare plants to math and relate their artistic ability to concepts in math. They draw pictures of flowers, leaves and trees.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gathering Season

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the traditional Washoe gathering season, and the importance of pine nuts and the goom-sa-'bye ceremony in the fall. They roast pine nuts and dance a traditional circle dance. They explore some of the Washoe vocabulary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Forest or the Rainforest?

For Teachers K
Students explore the flora and fauna of temperate forests and rainforests. They examine the environmental conditions that allow certain plants and animals to live in the rainforest.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

For The Birds

For Teachers K - 3rd
Student make bird feeders and describe feeding behaviors. In this bird feeder lesson plan, students construct simple bird feeders. They then put them outside and observe the feeding behaviors of birds. Then they graph the number of birds...