University of Kentucky
Beneficial Bug Scavenger Hunt
Many people think of bugs as annoying pests to be squashed, but most insects and spiders are beneficial, eating the actual pests or pollinating plants. After reviewing some of the common bugs in your area (they may differ from those...
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Exploring the Temperate Forest: Biodiversity and Interdependence
Students examine the consequences of cutting down large amounts of forests throughout the world. In groups, they use the internet to complete a module taking them on a tour through different temperate forests. To end the lesson, they...
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Getting a Handle on Your Bee
Middle schoolers observe dried bees, carefully glue them to toothpicks, and use them for cross pollinating their Brassica plants. They also describe reasons why two similar investigations can produce different results. Finally,...
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Observing Pods
Middle schoolers observe the pistil growing into a tiny string bean-like seed pod. They then observe the development of the fertilized pods between Day 17 and Day 35 and record their observations by drawing and labeling, writing, and...
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Rainforest
In this biology worksheet, students identify and locate various vocabulary terms that are related to the rain forest. There are 24 biology terms located in the word search.
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Genetics Crossword
In this biology instructional activity, students complete a crossword puzzle with 38 questions on genetics. They identify the different parts and functions of a flower.
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Plant Pollution
Students study the different parts of a flower and their functions. In this pollination lesson students study a flower under a microscope.
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Seed Dispersal
Students explore seed dispersal by designing their own wind dispersed seed structure. Using one piece of paper and a box fan, they construct a seed dispersal structure, record the distance their seed travels, and answer discussion...
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Symbiosis: Help, Hinder or Destroy
Use background information and vocabulary to familiarize your students with the concept of symbiosis and the role agriculture plays in the shared relationship. They then write the vocabulary in their lab books or journals, and read the...
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Bug Work
Students explore the life cycles of insects and how they interact with each other in the prairie to create a healthy ecosystem and viable food chain. They list animals or insects in their own community that are similar to the prairie...
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Flower Structure and Reproduction
In this flower structure worksheet, students read the information on flower structure and reproduction. Students answer questions based on the reading provided.
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In Strawberry Fields
Students discuss the origin of strawberries and employees involved with picking strawberries. In this algebra lesson plan, students discuss how much a worker who picks strawberry makes based on their flats. They create a table with the...
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Tree Top Canopy Field Trip
Students visit the Greenheart Canopy Walkway. In this environmental lesson, students experience a coastal rain forest ecosystem. Students interact and explore the different layers of the rain forest.
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WHAT'S ORGANIC?
Learners explore how certain foods come to be certified "organic." They write the words "organic" and "synthetic" and given the definitions of each. Students are given dictionaries. They are asked: "What is organic food?" Learners grow...
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Contrasting Landscapes - UBC Farm Field Trip
Students visit the UBC Farm. In this lesson on various landscapes, students spend a day at the University of British Columbia exploring the farm and trail adjoining the campus. This lesson could be modified for use in any region that has...
American Museum of Natural History
Bio-Benefits
Kick-start a discussion of the importance of biodiversity with a colorful resource that touts the benefits of maintaining healthy ecosystems. The images stress the interdependence of all the elements of an ecosystem.
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Flower Power
Students explore the parts of flowers and how they reproduce. They dissect flowers and observe the reproductive organs. Students observe anthers and ovaries of Tiger Lilies under a microscope. They investigate how insects and other...
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Honeybees are Vanishing
Learners decide if they agree with a series of statements about the bee population, then read a news article about the disappearance of millions of U.S. honeybees. In this biology and current events instructional activity, the teacher...
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Flower Power
Learners explore parts of the flower. In this plant biology lesson, students dissect flowers and identify how the seeds are formed. Learners take a nature walk to pick flowers for future dissections.
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Forest Food Web
Students explore the elements of a forest ecosystem. They examine the elements needed to form a forest food web. Students construct and describe food webs that include nonliving elements of the ecosystem.
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BATS: NEED NECTAR, WILL TRAVEL
Students play the role of nectar feeding bats on their annual migration
and try to avoid the different hazards that hinder their progress. They describe the annual migration of long-nosed bats including key elements such as: where the...
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Upper Grades Mapping Activity
Students build their school community into a better place. In this service learning lesson, students consider how to "cross-pollinate" the work of student organizations so that the school community experiences positive impacts.
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Advanced Critical Reading: Colony Collapse
In this critical reading worksheet, students read a passage about the collapse of bee colonies and then answer questions based on the reading.
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Growing Tomatoes from Seed
In this growing tomatoes worksheet, students experience and participate in the process of growing tomatoes over a three or four month span of time. Students follow six directives in producing tomato plants.