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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals of the Fire Ice

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine ocean life by identifying methane hydrates.  In this ocean life lesson, students research organisms that live in the coldest, deepest parts of the ocean and live off methane hydrates.  Students create a group...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Needs

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore the needs of plants.  In this plants biology lesson plan, students work in groups to perform an experiment with tomato plants.  Each group records observations in a journal, takes pictures, and interprets the results of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Frog's Life Story

For Teachers K - 8th
Students investigate the lives of frogs by completing several worksheets.  In this biology lesson, students discover the life cycle of a frog from tadpole to death.  Students complete frog life cycle puzzle as well as create a life cycle...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Filter Feeding in Reef Sponges

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars investigate the role of sponges in our oceans.  In this biology lesson, students create a diagram visualizing how sponges bring food into their bodies through a filtering process.  Young scholars discuss the connections...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Busy Brain

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore biology by completing a human body worksheet. In this human brain activity, students identify the different anatomy within the brain and the functions those pieces form. Students read an article about signals in the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hands on Biome-Building

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore Earth science by participating in an environment activity. In this biome lesson plan, students discuss the importance of a healthy ecology in order to sustain life, both animal and plant. Students utilize a cardboard or...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classifying "Pastanimals"

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore biology by creating a poster presentation. In this animal classification lesson, students utilize a SMART board and practice organizing a group of animal shapes by placing them with similar animal families. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Specialized Structures and Environments

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore biology by completing an Internet activity in class. For this adaptation lesson, 5th graders identify several organisms and mammals that fight for their existence through slow changes to their anatomy over the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bug's Eye View

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners explore biology by writing fictitious stories in class. In this insect life lesson, students identify many different types of insects in the animal kingdom and the classifications they fall into. Learners collect insects on a...
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Lesson Plan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section Three: What's the Status of Biodiversity?

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Biodiversity is essential for every habitat, but many species are at risk due to pollution and other factors. Explore several different species native to Illinois in a gallery walk with posters that learners have created after research...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat Dynamics

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students develop an interactive diary to record bird seed consumption. In this habitat lesson, students predict and record the amount of birdseed eaten each week by birds.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Changing Coral Reef

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars record changes in the composition of a coral reef.  In this Coral Reef lesson, students recognize the needs of Coral Reef species to survive.  Young scholars chart changes in population over time. Students write an essay...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Imagine a Kelp Forest

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students write a story based on their research of the kelp forest. In this ecosystem lesson, students view a video and research the kelp forest ecosystem. They write a short story imagining the discovery of a new species in the kelp forest.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Challenging Being Green!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students influence the plant life cycle as they take care of plants.In this caring for plants lesson, students understand the parts of the plant and their functions in keeping it alive. Students participate in experiments with plants and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes a Cat a Cat?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the lives of pets by videotaping them.  In this animal life lesson, students videotape a cat and other pets using school cameras in a computer lab.  Students review the footage from the cat and other animals and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Nature and Science of Technology

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders practice using the scientific method by observing and creating mold.  In this bacteria lesson, 5th graders experiment creating their own mold and fungus using petri dishes and oatmeal.  Students create an information table...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Schoolyard Tree Inventory and Biodiversity Project

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Young scholars investigate the trees in their schoolyard by collecting data.  In this ecosystem lesson students examine the schoolyard in sections, tagging and numbering trees and shrubbery in the specific area.  Young scholars collect...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solve the Case!

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discover the habits of panthers by solving fictitious crime mysteries.  In this animal life lesson plan, students utilize their research from previous lessons to solve mysteries in a panther activity.  Students answer questions...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microscope Investigation

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore physical science by participating in a science examination. In this microscope tutorial instructional activity, students read the book The Naked Eye and discuss the purpose for using a microscope in the field of...