Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Diversity and Distribution

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners construct a defined plot on school grounds and observed patterns in plant life. They count trees, shrubs, cacti and record on a data sheet. They compare data and generate a plant diversity overlook for their school.
Lesson Plan
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The Sugar Snap Pea Experiment

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students examine types of plant structure. In this plant biology lesson, students observe various types of plants, such as ivy and grapes, and discuss the differences in structure. Additionally, students plant sugar snap peas, using a...
Lesson Plan
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Desert Habitat

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine how desert plants and animals are adapted to life in the desert. They listen to the book, "Seasons of Saguaro," conduct experiments to demonstrate plant succulence, and create and draw an animal or plant that...
Lesson Plan
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What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Air

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students conduct an experiment to determine whether plants need air in order to survive and grow. They discuss natural resources, analyze slides, and observe and record data from the experiment.
Lesson Plan
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Desert Adaptations: Water

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students experiment with methods of water conservation. In this water conservation lesson, students explore the importance of water for plants and animals in a desert biome.
Lesson Plan
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Cactus Wheel

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore plant biology by conducting field experiments outside of class. In this desert plant instructional activity, students discuss how cacti thrive in such dry climates and how dense their populations are. Students utilize...
Lesson Plan
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Desert Water Keepers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students experiment with models to find how plants survive in the desert environment.  In this plant mechanisms activity, students make leaf models to understand how leaves conserve water. Students collect cactus in bags and observe...
Lesson Plan
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Mountain Barriers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine geographical change. In this mountain barriers lesson, students conduct an experiment to discover how mountains affect surrounding land.  Learners draw conclusions on how change in land affects plant and animal life.
Lesson Plan
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Design-A-Weed

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars create a "super weed" that prospers in teh harsh conditions on plant Weediv. They comprehend how weed adaptations give the plants an advantage over native plants. Students define the term adaptation. They give three...
Lesson Plan
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Water and Plants...How Dry I Am

For Teachers 1st
First graders observe two similar plants as one gets water and the other does not. They make predictions and chart the growth of each. They draw pictures of the plants after one week.
Lesson Plan
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Desert Xeriscaping

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize native species of desert vegetation while examining the need for water conservation. They design and create a xeriscape landscape using a variety of materials.
Lesson Plan
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Don't Call Me A Pig

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore wildlife and habitats in the Arizona desert. Throughout a classroom discussion, 1st graders observe pictures of the desert and animals that live there. As they go on a nature walk around the school, students...
Lesson Plan
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Terrestrial Communities

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students watch a video about different terrestrial communities. They conduct an experiment with sponges conserving water. They research desert characteristics comparing them with other biomes.
Lesson Plan
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Learning From Leaves: Adaptations To Differing Light Levels

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students, in groups, examine plants with different light levels. They are given plants from a tropical and desert region. They write a hypothesis at the beginning of the experiment.
Lesson Plan
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Hold on Tight!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the relationship between plant roots and the soil in which they grow. They examine photos of uprooted trees and desert areas and conduct experiments designed to highlight this mutual relationship between roots and soil....
Lesson Plan
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Salinity Of Soil

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the contents of various types of soil to determine the differences in salinity levels. They conduct an experiment of observing the plants in the different soils. Students then determine survival rates by...
Lesson Plan
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Biomes and the water cycle

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students create a desert biome and a prairie biome and see how plants survive in both. In this biomes lesson plan, studnets create their biomes and see how the water cycle effect each biome and plant differently. 
Lesson Plan
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Ecosystem Damage from Household Cleaners

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders assess the damage done to various ecosystems by cleaning products and discover how scientists test water quality. Using stream water and common household cleaning agents, they work in groups to test for pH levels. Once...
Lesson Plan
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Discovery Science Center Activities

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a variety of experiments to meet science goals.  In this life sciences lesson, 4th graders make yogurt, discover the attraction of opposite charges in electricity, learn the effects of glaciers, and explore...
Lesson Plan
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Soil Erosion

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders complete activities to observe the effects of erosion. In this erosion lesson, 2nd graders define erosion and learn the process. Students complete an erosion experiment.
Activity
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The Five Life Zone Research Project

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study five of the seven life zones in North America. In this journalism lesson students use the Scientific Method working in teams. They use lab equipment and technology to create a presentation on five of the seven life zones...
Lesson Plan
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Searching for Meteorites

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Young scholars examine meteorites and attempt to recover meteorite fragments.  In this space lesson students complete a demonstration on the impact of a meteorite using water balloons and make experimental predictions.
Lesson Plan
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"Habitats"

For Teachers K - 5th
Students complete a unit of lessons on animals and animal conservation. They observe a square meter of ground outside the school, set up a model environment, analyze an owl pellet, grow bread mold, and explore various websites.