Core Knowledge Foundation
Chaos within the Living World? NOT!
What are the five kingdoms? Fifth graders engage in a series of investigations and research activities focused on the methods of classification used by scientists, as well as the language they use to describe the similarities and...
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Native vs. Non-native Species: Who Will Win?
Students examine non-native species and the problems they have caused in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. They create a "Wanted" poster for one of the species. They describe the effects of non-native species on the schoolyard species.
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Natural Selection And Evolution
Students investigate the concept of evolution and how natural selection is used as an indicator that evolution has happened. They recognize the three effects it has on diversity and how adaptations can develop. Diversity is explained as...
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Naming New Species
Students explore science of taxonomy and the Five Kingdoms of life, 
categorize organisms into Kingdoms, and create multi-media presentations illustrating knowledge of a Kingdom.  They collect data and related pictures on the Internet,...
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Classy
Students explore the classification system in this seven lessons unit. The diversity of life forms and their characteristics are examined using a microscope. Kingdoms, classes, and families are investigated.
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Taxonomy Project
Students act as a taxonomist and, given a certain situation, classify existing organisms.
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Asexual Reproduction
Sixth graders investigate how asexual reproduction produces single-parent offspring. They use plants and yeast to demonstrate vegetative propagation  and budding in a laboratory. Students draw five different types of asexual reproduction.
PBS
Righteous Reptiles
Young scientists write and draw about their knowledge of reptiles. They also view a nature video focusing on lizards and snakes, complete a chart comparing and contrasting them. Next, they focus on the defense mechanisms...
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Goals of the Diversity of Life Unit
Students are introduced to the unit on the importance of diversity of life and the role that interdependence plays in our worlds. this is part of a multi-lesson unit on the diversity of life.
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Marketing the New Hybrids
Students work together to develop a hypothesis on the natural and applied hybridization of certain species in an ecosystem.  Using the internet, they research this topic and read any recent articles or studies.  They must note the...