Curated OER
The Extinction and Rediscovery of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
An incredibly thorough, and well-designed lesson plan teaches youngsters about the presumed extinction and rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker in Arkansas. Learners discuss the environmental factors that led to the birds...
Curated OER
Where Has It Been? Tracking the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
By studying the assumed extinction, and subsequent rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, learners use maps and come up with a scenario for the rediscovery of the bird. This incredibly thorough lesson plan is chock-full of...
Curated OER
Evaluating the Strength of Scientific Evidence: The Rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
A happy discovery occurred in Arkansas in 2004: a woodpecker, believed to be extinct since the 1940s, reappeared! Or did it? Middle to high school ecologists examine scientific evidence and use critical-thinking skills to determine...
Curated OER
The Responsibility of Preservation
Upper elementary and middle schoolers study the case of the ivory-billed woodpecker, a bird that was once-thought to be extinct. Learners explore the responsibility of people to preserve habitats, and take care of the animals who live in...
Curated OER
Into the Wilderness: Habitat vs. Development
By studying the once-assumed extinction, then rediscovery of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, learners look at the physical changes that have occured in habitats throughout Arkansas. This outstanding lesson is chock full of terrific...
Curated OER
Meet One Picky Bird
Students complete a research project For this endangered species lesson, students use the "Think, Puzzle, Explore" method to learn about endangered species. Students research and write a report on the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Curated OER
A Tree is an Ecosystem
Students make observations about trees. In this ecosystem instructional activity, students observe and record all living and non living things they find under a tree, look for birds nests, evidence of woodpeckers and take samples such as...
Curated OER
Learning About Birds
Students look in their science book and the Internet to find information about the different types of birds such as wrens, robins, woodpeckers, sparrows, hummingbirds, and others and take notes. They then write a paper on the types of...
Roald Dahl
The Twits - The Furniture Goes Up
Work gets done faster when people work as a team. The ninth installment of an 11-lesson unit designed to accompany The Twits by Roald Dahl combines character education with research skills and creative writing activities. The lesson ends...
Curated OER
Adaptation Investigation - Extreme Beaks
Find photos of bird beaks or show a prepared four slide PowerPoint, "Extreme Beaks" to introduce your class to this special animal adaptation. Provide them with a data table and supplies to try gathering food with tools that each...
Curated OER
Writing Process- Expository Writing
Expository writing is the focus of the language arts lesson presented here. In it, young writers review what expository writing is through a class discussion and teacher demonstration. Then, learners write expository text that describes...
Curated OER
Map Me a Paragraph
There are so many great reading strategies. In this lesson, learners practice decoding. They break down two paragraphs to analyze and determine main ideas and details. They each observes ways to model as they map their paragraphs.
Curated OER
Bird Buffet
Fifth graders investigate how birds use their beaks. In this agriculture instructional activity, 5th graders use tools to simulate how birds gather food with their beaks. They then draw conclusions about certain types of beaks and what...
Curated OER
Animal Signs
Students discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track animals. They participate in an hands-on activity in which they examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat" left by...
Curated OER
Studying Birds in the Field
This is a well-designed science activity which helps students learn the behavior of different species of birds. Working with partners and in small team, students learn to scientifically observe birds.
Curated OER
Listen and Draw
Young scholars use their visualizing and interpreting skills to produce original writings and drawings. First, they listen to an adaptation of William Clark's description of the sage grouse. They form mental images that they translate...
Curated OER
Predator Or Prey?
Students study the concept of predator/prey by researching specific examples of birds. They participate in a concept map/webbing activity to determine different characteristics of birds. They engage in a class discussion about...
Curated OER
Animal Signs
Students discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track all types of animals. They examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat" left by animals and attempt to identify the...
Curated OER
Botanical Garden Field Trip
Students take a field trip to a botanical garden. In this habitat lesson, students walk through the garden and see various species of plants and animals. Students take a canopy walk and see coniferous trees. Students write about what...
Curated OER
Invasion of the (Cactus) Booty Snatchers
Students, in groups of four,identify and analyze relationships among birds within a population, a community and an urban ecosystem. They fill out, while they're completing their experiments, a Populations of Birds Student Data Sheet.
Curated OER
Quiz: Animals of the Desert
In this science worksheet, students complete a 10 question multiple choice quiz about desert animals. The answers are provided with explanations upside down on the page.
Curated OER
Many Uses of the Forest
First graders examine pictures of forest wildlife and identify different animals that live in the forest. They discuss resources the forest provides for human use and explore the concept that the forest is used by many at the same time.
Curated OER
Feet Are Neat
Students describe several types of bird feet and explain how each type helps a bird survive in its habitat. Students then match birds to their feet and mold bird feet out of clay.
Curated OER
Food Web
Pupils are able to define food web, and identify the interdependence of organisms within a system. They are able to describe how natural events and human activities can impact a food web.