Agriculture in the Classroom
"Steer" Toward STEM: Careers in Animal Agriculture
Think like an engineer and an agricultural scientist over the course of 12 lessons in a STEM based unit. Young scientists take on the roles of animal physiologists, animal geneticists, agricultural engineers, animal nutritionists,...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Seed Dispersal in Tropical Forests
How do seeds get around? It's not like plants can control seed dispersal—or can they? Dig deeper into the amazing mechanisms of seed dispersal observed in tropical plants through interactives, a video, and plenty of hands-on data...
Curated OER
The Animals Kingdom
Students are introduced to the classification system of animals. In groups, they set up an aquarium in which they must maintain throughout the year. They also observe earthworms and how they react to various stimuli and research the...
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The Mitten
Explore children's literature by researching a book and it's author. Youngsters read the story The Mitten by Jan Brett and discuss the animals and characters mentioned in the story. Then, they practice retelling their favorite portion of...
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Crowley's Ridge: An Upland in the Lowlands
This clever lesson combines elements of geography, art, literature, and storytelling. Pupils take a close look at the six geographical regions of Arkansas, and pay close attention to Crowley's Ridge - which is one of the six. In groups,...
Curated OER
Exploring the Neighborhood -- Literature Jigsaw
Students compare and contrast domesticated animals and wild animals. They identify plants and animals that have adapted to different habitats. They discover it is everyone's responsibility to protect the environment.
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Digital Video Lesson Plan: Brine Shrimp
Students participate in classroom experiment to gain better understanding of type of environment brine shrimp can best survive. Students then explore effects of common saltwater pollutants on survival of animals in sea.
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Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society
Students participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism.  In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities.  This...
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Plants and Animals, Partners in Pollination
Learners participate in multiple hands-on activities to explore reproduction and pollination. In groups, using a cotton swab and powder, students simulate being pollinators and plants. They name the parts of the flowers and the function...
Curated OER
Ugly? Says Who?
Students explore biology by writing animal poetry in class. For this animal characteristics lesson, students research the Internet for facts about an "ugly" animal such as a bug or small critter. Students complete worksheets about animal...
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Literacy: Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth
Students explore language arts by analyzing a children's book in class. For this vocabulary lesson, students read the book Slowly, Slowly, Slowly... by Eric Carle. Students identify the characters, setting and plot of the story before...
Curated OER
Eric Carle Collage
Students gain appreciation for the work of Eric Carle. They speculate about a work of art, what materials, techniques and skills were used. They study Carle's work to determine how he did it and explore various water color techniques.
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There Was An Old Lady...
First graders read "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" and use Kid Pix to identify characters from the story. In this character identification activity, 1st graders first hear several versions of the classic tale, and then locate...
Curated OER
Recognizing Lifestyle Changes
Students discuss the changes they are going through in their lives.  Using literature, they relate the stories to their own lives and discover how to properly deal with them. They also make a list of how the scenery, transportation and...
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The Desert Alphabet Book
Students explore world geography by researching a science book with their classmates. In this desert identification lesson, students utilize a U.S. map to locate the geographical locations of deserts. Students create an oral report based...
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Is This a House for Hermit Crab?
First graders identify text that uses sequence or other logical order.  They identify and interpret how different plants and animals inhabit different kinds of environments and have external features that help them thrive in different...
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Water-The Liquid Gold
Young scholars investigate the necessity of water for the survival of plants, animals, and people. They explore the affect that water has on human and natural environments through literature, field trips, and discussions.
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Focus Story: The Mitten
Students explore language arts by analyzing a story with their classmates. In this poetry identification lesson, students read the book The Mittens and identify the characters, plot and settings in the story. Students recite poems about...
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Fish Parasite Survey
Students survey and dissect as many fish as possible.  They count nematodes, cestodes and crustaceans on the fish, fill out autopsy reports, and transfer data to a chalkboard data table.  Students graph the results of the entire class...
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Shark Encounter
Sixth graders identify fact and fiction about sharks.  In this investigative lesson plan students graph results of a shark survey and label parts of a shark. 
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Reading Clinic: Use Predictions to Help Kids Think Deeply About Books
Students learn to use prediction to think more deeply about literature.  In this reading comprehension instructional activity, students chart predictions in order to more fully understand text.
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Plant and Animal Cells
Young scholars investigate the difference between plant and animal cells. They observe a variety o plant and animals cells by looking at a piece of cork, an onion, elodea, prepared slides of paramecium, human bone, frog blood, and human...
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Rollin' On The River II
Learners explore the importance of the Platte River to the state of Nebraska. They investigate the river's historical, social, economic, and political importance to the development of Nebraska. Students explore the ecosystem of the river.
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Fish Parasite Survey
Learners count nematodes, cestodes and crustaceans on approximately one-hundred and fifty fish. They fill out autopsy reports for external and internal parasites then complete and discuss guide questions to make inferences about parasite...