Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Air We Have Around Us

For Teachers K
Students listen to story, The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, discuss air quality and how people affect the earth and its atmospheric cycles, and give oral reports on what they have learned.
PPT
Curated OER

Earth Materials Module

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This slide show progresses through a comprehensive review of the grounding principles of earth science. Get down and dirty with the details of fossil fuels! Help your geologists to have a rock solid understanding of the rock cycle. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Microcosms in the Biosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In a series of lessons, examine the impact on humans by microcosms in the biosphere. Among the plans structured for students with different abilities and learning styles, are activities describing the symbiotic relationship, drawing the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cause And Effects Of Pollutants In Ecosystems

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders define what an ecosystem is, what its make up is and how pollution effects it.  In this air pollution lesson students identify the cause and effects of pollution on an ecosystem and trace a food chain. 
Interactive
Learning Games Lab

Nitrogen in Pollutants

For Students 9th - 12th
Responsible farming is important for maintaining natural resources. Eager scientists complete a WebQuest to explore what happens to nitrogen when it enters the soil. They learn about the chemical makeup of nitrogen-based molecules...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Protecting Holy Cows

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the interrelationships of organisms and their environments. They study ecological communities and determine what is necessary for survival. Students discuss and answer questions concerning a group's biome, habitat, food...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Thermal Pollution

For Students 7th - 12th
In this pollution instructional activity, students read about thermal pollution and how hot water affects wildlife. Then students complete 1 short answer question.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan of a Thematic Project - Water

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the properties of water. In this life science lesson, 6th graders create a concept map of water. They share their work with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Week 8 - Sea Life

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Using a magnifier, mini marine biologists examine the barbules of a bird feather. They swirl the it into a mixture of oil and water and then re-examine the feather. After the activity, discuss how the oily feathers pose a problem to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Testing the Waters

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore water in depth through discussion, research, and experiment. Students apply map skills to locating particular regions of the world as they relate to water. Students predict water quality based on information researched...
Lesson Plan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section Two: Why is Biodiversity Important?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Explore soil, genetic traits, natural resources, and pollution in a series of lessons that focus on biodiversity. Kids complete experiments to learn more about the importance of varied genes and organisms in an ecosystem.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Water

For Students 7th - 8th
In this water worksheet, students read an excerpt about the effects of pollution on the life cycle of a lake. Then they describe how lakes are affected by the pollution. Students also define why pollution has become such a problem for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution and Food Chains

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study the effect of pollution in our food chains. In this plant biology lesson, 6th graders first experiment with pollution by placing a carnation in colored water. Next they use a food chain triangle to see the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leach Out and Touch Someone

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students discuss how groundwater becomes polluted. In groups, they design and create models of groundwater pollution sources. They demonstrate to the class how the water may become contaminated from local and nonlocal pollution sources.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution and Food Chains

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the two key concepts covered in this lesson: first, how pollution can affect plants, and, second, how polluted plants affect the rest of the food cycle. In sum, this lesson teaches students about "Bioaccumulation".
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing in mud puddles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the effects of rainfall on different surfaces and discuss water pollution. They review the water cycle and the uses of water in daily lifestyles. Students discuss the effects of soil run off in streams and rivers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Space Station Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover ways to preserve the Earth's resources. In this natural resources lesson, students investigate how many gallons of water the average American uses per day and then total their estimated usage. Students discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars study four samples of "rain water". They asked to determine the pH of the samples and then to neutralize them. Students are asked to predict any negative effects which might be associated with water having a low pH and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WATER FROM HERE TO YONDER

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify local watersheds and drainage areas by using maps and other resources. They are given copies of the water cycle. Students discuss the movement of water in the environment. They observe, record and transfer information...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fred the Fish -- A River Ran Wild

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students apply cause and effect relationships to water pollution in a stream. In this pollution instructional activity students recognize the importance of clean water in their daily lives. Students accompany "Fred the Fish" as he...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dangerous Air

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate how pollution is a global issue. They locate the countries affected by radiation from Chernobyl, sequence the progress of radiation transport from Chernobyl and plot the pollution points on a world map, and read and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watershed Landscape

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students demonstrate how water flows by building a human watershed using themselves. In this ecology lesson, students compare and contrast point-source and non-point source pollution. They write what they have learned from this activity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Purification

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars develop an understanding and appreciation of water purification techniques and their implications for health maintenance.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WET Science Lesson #5: Pass the Salt Please! (How Road Salt Affects Wetlands)

For Teachers 7th - 12th
As an anticipatory set, biologists listen to the story of Ruth Patrick, a scientist who used algae to detect water quality. They observe a demonstration of osmosis and diffusion. In their lab groups, they place Elodea stalks in...