Curated OER
Gas exchange: Respiratory Systems
The need for a respiratory system in humans versus being reliant on gas exchange structures is demonstrated. There are many details about the advantages and disadvantages of each mechanism. Students are able to learn about the...
Curated OER
Habitat Basics
First graders get out and explore two different habitats to examine how each one meets the needs of the plants and animals that dwell there. They discuss what they've learned about animal habitats as they explore the outdoor environment....
Curated OER
Ecosystems and Remote Sensing
Middle schoolers obtain remote sensing data to compare and contrast global biomass data with global temperature data.
Curated OER
A Comparison of Cloud Coverage over Africa
Students identify different climate regions and local weather patterns. For this cloud coverage lesson students use NASA satellite data and import it into Excel.
Curated OER
Birth, Growth, And Development
Students understand that all living things have a life cycle that includes being born, developing into an adult, reproducing, and eventually dying.
Curated OER
From Polliwog to Frog
Students examine how frogs change. In this life cycle lesson, students create a model to show how a frog changes throughout its life. Students will show the process of frog metamorphosis, from polliwog to adult frog.
Curated OER
Seed Structure and Seed Dispersal
Third graders plant seeds. In this seed structure activity, 3rd graders identify parts of a seed and plant a lima bean seed. Students discuss and reflect on the process in their journals.
Curated OER
Introduction to Dissolved Oxygen and Demonstration of a Simple Test Procedure
Students explain the importance of dissolved oxygen in water ecosystems. They describe the aquatic oxygen cycle and the effect of water pollution on oxygen. They make observations, collect data and draw a conclusion.
Curated OER
Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats
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...
Curated OER
Shake, Rattle and Roll
Young scholars compare the weathering of materials. in this weathering lesson, students experiment with the chemical and physical weathering of different materials. Young scholars use salt and water as an example of how weathering occurs.
Curated OER
Coral Reef Ecology
Students explore coral life cycles. In this coral ecosystems lesson, students view videos explaining the life cycle of coral, including examples of sexual and asexual reproduction. Students read a related article cooperatively in groups,...
Curated OER
What is a Karst
Students investigate landforms by holding a class experiment. In this topography lesson, students define the word "karst" and discover why sinkholes are created on the surface of the Earth by completing worksheets. Students create a...
Curated OER
How a Seed Grows and Who Grows It
First graders explore biology by viewing PowerPoint presentations in class. In this plant life lesson, 1st graders identify the life cycle of a plant and how to properly plant a seed outside. Students view a movie about plant life and...
Curated OER
Butterfly and Caterpillar
Young scholars listen to the story "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and create their own "Very Hungry Caterpillar" book to learn the life cycle of a butterfly.
Curated OER
Predicting Plant Development
First graders investigate the basic needs of a growing plant and make predictions regarding what a seed needs in order to grow. They draw their seed predictions, listen to the book "From Seed to Plant" by Gail Gibbons, and analyze their...
Curated OER
Design a Reef!
Students design a functional model of a coral reef ecosystem. In this coral reef activity, students identify the energy sources and material cycles of a coral reef. They write an essay about their niche in their own ecosystem.
Curated OER
Demonstrating Erosion in Action
Young scholars easure and record volume of water, then measure and record mass of soil. They explain the effects of the following in controlling erosion: Contouring, cover crop, strip cropping, reforestation, inter-seeding.
Curated OER
Sand Dollars- Non-Fiction Comprehension Worksheet
For this sand dollar non-fiction reading comprehension worksheet, 5th graders read a 2 page selection about the life cycle and habitat of sand dollars. They use a dictionary and the article to define 10 words, and write the answer to 7...
Curated OER
The Seed Store
Students investigate the seed cycle. For this plant biology lesson, students plant tomato seeds and observe the plant growth. Students complete an activity sheet.
Curated OER
Flower Reproduction
Fifth graders examine the cycle of flower reproduction. They listen to a poem about a bee, observe and examine flowers in small groups, and develop a class KWL chart. Students then read about flower reproduction in their textbook, and...
Curated OER
Where Do Your Veggies Grow?
First graders investigate the origins of vegetables. In this Science instructional activity, 1st graders identify where fruits and vegetables come from. Students describe how people utilize plants.
Curated OER
Necessary Nitrogen
Students view a video that presents the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen. They compare types of soils and consider how different fertilizers affect soil composition.
Curated OER
The Solar System: Why do we Explore?
Third graders act as scientists. In this property discovery lesson plan, 3rd graders explore the substance "Oobleck" (cornstarch, water, food coloring). They work in groups to investigate the substance and make observations as a...
Curated OER
Aquatic Ecosystem Exploration
Students visit a local stream, pond, creek, or river and collect macroinvertebrates. They sort macroinvertebrates and identify each species using a dichotomous key. Students decide on trophic levels and construct a possible food web for...