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Classification of Organisms
In this classification instructional activity, students complete a crossword puzzle with 17 clues about vocabulary pertaining to the classification of organisms.
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Classification of Organisms Crossword Answers
In this classification activity, students are provided with the answers to a crossword puzzle which has 17 clues pertaining to classification of organisms vocabulary.
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Science: Putting Down Roots
Fourth graders, in small groups, observe plants and note their characteristics. After drawing pictures of the plants, including their roots systems, they hypothesize in which environments the plants would best thrive. Finally, 4th...
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Ecosystems and Symbiotic Relationships
Students are told to create a community using words or pictures. They walk outside to an area in front of the school which has a strip of grass, ditch, and corn field. Students discuss the difference between an ecosystem and a...
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Mussel Identification Activity
Students identify given species of animals, such as various
mussels, by sets of physical characteristics as they use a key. They also read about mussels on the Illinois River and look at mussel species in the online database. Finally,...
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Food Webs
Students are explained that they are spending the next few days researching an organism in preparation for a field trip. They are shown an overhead of the Field Guide. Students discuss what habitat means. They use their organism to...
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How to Keep Warm in the Arctic!
Students simulate the differences between animals protected by fat and those that aren't. They fill one of the mugs with shortening. Students cut a small hole, and place a thermometer in each piece of cardboard. They position the bulb of...
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Identifying trophic levels and the skeletal system through Owl Pellets
Students identify a food chain sequence. They compare, identify, and record the rodent skeletal parts to a rodent skeletal diagram. Students construct a rodent skeleton from the skeletal parts found in the pellet. They are given the...
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Is it Alive?
Students watch a demonstration using Duco glue and water and try to determine if the "monster" shown is alive. After the demonstration, they discuss what characteristics make an organism "alive". They participate in a card sorting...
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SIM Ecosystem
Students identify and interpret the concept of an ecosystem and the potential impact humans have on ecosystems. They also proficient in organized and methodical Internet searches. Finally, students become proficient with public...
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Activity 1: The Effect of Cold on Characteristics Important to Fishes
Young scholars explore how organisms are adapted to live in the ultimate of extreme environments. They discuss the reasons for the similarities and differences between them, themselves, and the more familiar organisms around them....
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Categorization
Second graders participate in a teacher led bead sorting activity in which they describe different ways the beads can be grouped. Next, they participate in activities in which they sort and resort themselves into groups according to...
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"Endangered Species"
Students explore the definition of what an endangered or threatened species is and the criteria for a species being endangered or threatened. Many examples are shown and discussed with the students within this lesson. In addition, they...
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Alien Invaders: Native vs. Exotic Species
Seventh graders investigate the differences between native and non-native species. They answer different level questions using Bloom's Taxonomy. This is done creatively with the students playing a version of the game Jeopardy. Students...
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An Introduction to Brine Shrimp
Second graders engage in a lesson that seeks to discover information about Brine Shrimp. They conduct research using a variety of print and electronic resources. Students study the type of environment the shrimp need and read about the...
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Living Organisms
First graders investigate living things that are part of a class aquarium. They make observations and answer guided questions about each organism. Students read a Science textbook and engage in a class discussion about the content. Then...
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Exploring Organisms
Students investigate various organisms in an attempt to understand the process of evolution and related ecological issues. This elementary lesson uses small plastic animals and includes a worksheet for student assessment and reflection.
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Soil Organisms
Pupils work together to collect soil samples from different locations. In the samples, they identify the macroorganisms and classify them. They identify the conditions that affect how macroorganisms grow. They also analyze and identify...
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Science: Down Home Dinosaurs
students participate in hands-on activities to discover the different types of fossils. Using teacher-provided materials, they make models of cast and trace fossils. After writing essays describing how traces are formed, students plan a...
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Beaks To Survive
Pupils discuss and identify the types of adaptations that are made by different organisms in order for them to survive. In groups, they describe the features of beaks and discuss how it affects their chances for survival. They share...
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Coastal Biodiversity of South Africa
Students investigate the biodiversity found along the coast of South Africa. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They use the information in order to write lab reports with the data. The lesson plan can be adapted to...
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Creatures That Glow In The Night
High schoolers investigate the different bioluminescent organisms. They use microscopes in order to make observations and draw what is seen. Students demonstrate they have studies the differences between the process of photosynthesis and...
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Bioluminescent Bewilderment!
Ninth graders investigate the concept of bioluminescent. They break down the word phonetically for correct pronunciation. This is done as a warm up for learning. Then students create a list of the creatures from prior knowledge and...
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But I Need This
Third graders place everything in their desk or back pack onto their desk top. They explain why each item is needed. They receive a set of pictures and write a list of things each person or animal needs to survive. They compare people,...