Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adaptations to Niches and Habitats

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Life science learners measure and record traits of seeds, leaves, and their own hands and then graph the data to find a continous distribution curve. They compare and color diagrams of seven different animals' forelimbs (not included),...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals and Engineering

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study animal classification and their interactions.  In this animals and engineering lesson students study animal communities and how engineers use this knowledge to create new technologies. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zoobilation

For Teachers K
Youngsters become familiar with zoo animals. They sort them into categories, and choose an animal to act out. Two zoo centers are created in the classroom that have examples of the animals for the pupils to play with. Then, they choose...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Habitats

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore animal lifestyles by researching their characteristics. In this animal habitat lesson, students read the story Over in the Jungle and analyze the animal illustrations in the book. Students create clay animal characters...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Montana State University

Everest Extremes: Biodiversity

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
How many animals can live in a climate as cold as Mount Everest's? Find out with a science lesson all about biodiversity. Activities include research, presentations, group work, coloring maps, and a simulation of a food web.
Unit Plan
1
1
BioEd Online

Butterflies in Space

For Teachers K - 12th Standards
How does gravity affect the life cycle of a butterfly? Learn first-hand what types of investigations astronauts perform in space by following along with one of NASA's experiments. Create butterfly habitats in the classroom with specific...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore the attributes of animal habitats. In this habitat lesson, students examine animal habitats as they conduct a scientific investigation to create an animal habitat that provides food, shelter, and space.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's That Habitat?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the environment by researching animal characteristics. In this habitat identification lesson, 4th graders utilize paper and crayons to illustrate their own habitats or homes and discuss what it contains that is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water, Water Everywhere (Pond Animals)

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the characteristics of animals who live in a pond environment. In groups, they describe the various stages in the life of a frog and identify the characteristics of other pond animals. Using this information,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals, Soil, Trees

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders describe the various kinds of soils and how plants and animals are affected by them. They describe the baic needs of plants, scoring at least a 3 or 4 on a 4-point rubic. Students are able to predict and/or infer what...
Unit Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Night Friends - American Bats

For Teachers K - 8th
Bats are a misunderstood species. Pupils learn about the characteristics of bats in a three-part lesson. They begin by examining the adaptations of different types of bats, then explore the misconceptions humans have about the species....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Organisms and Their Habitats

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the presence of specific organisms in a freshwater habitat to determine the quality of that habitat. They conduct a field study and distinguish and classify organisms found during the field study.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat Happenings

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the characteristics of the Prairie Creek Habitat in Illinois. In groups, they travel between various stations writing haikus and reading brochures. They identify what occurs in each habitat and identify the animals...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals and People: Who's Behaving Badly?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the relationship between human beings and animals. They participate in a variety of activities to examine animal behavior. Students create a class book and stage a mock news broadcast.
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Niche Partitioning Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Dinnertime on the African savanna is a highly choreographed event! Introduce young ecologists to the concept of niche partitioning through a hands-on activity. Pupils research animal behaviors and use data to develop an understanding of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders construct a pond habitat in the classroom using a small swimming pool partially filled with water, real cattails, a tree log adjoining, and plastic animal life appropriate to a pond setting. They examine the frog in detail...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BIOMIMICRY, Housing Naturally: Habitat as Model

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore natural animal habitats. In this lesson on biomimicry and habitation design, students will use classroom and field examples to examine animal habitats. Students will construct a model of a natural animal habitat. This...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who's Who?

For Teachers K
Students explore biology by identifying animals and their environments. In this animal characteristic lesson, students read assigned text about farm animals, how they are raised, and what they are used for in our society. Students view a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sow Bug Habitats

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct an experiment to determine what type of environment sow bugs prefer. They use petri dishes with partially wet paper towels to assess whether they prefer wet or dry habitats.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat is Home

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students complete a picture to show things found in their homes.  In this habitat lesson plan, students discuss and make a class picture of an animal habitat and its four basic needs.  Students sing a song. Students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity in Sixth Grade

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the nature of habitats on an ABC hike. In groups, they collect items that make up habitats including plants, feathers, and leaves among other materials. Students then classify and organize the collected materials...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Micro-Climate

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Atmosphere aces investigate the microclimates that exist within a larger area. They use a thermometer to record the varying temperatures and identify the microclimates on a map that they have drawn. This exercise helps them to understand...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salmon in the Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students list the salmon life cycle stages in order. They draw a stream with the vegetation, animals, and water quality parameters that are necessary for salmon survival. Students explain the connection between animal morphology and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Do Koalas Need to Survive?

For Teachers 1st
First graders take a field trip and examine the Koala and his habitat.  In this Koala lesson, 1st graders read Possum Magic and discuss the foods of Australia.  Students view the habitat of a Koala and record what it eats, its...