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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Endangered Ecosystems

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Reading comprehension and note-taking skills are practiced as young ecologists embark on this journey. Explorers visit a website where they will read about three ecosystems that are in danger. They use interactive programs to build a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evaluating the Strength of Scientific Evidence: The Rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker

For Teachers 7th - 12th
A happy discovery occurred in Arkansas in 2004: a woodpecker, believed to be extinct since the 1940s, reappeared! Or did it? Middle to high school ecologists examine scientific evidence and use critical-thinking skills to determine...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality and Watersheds: A GIS Investigation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Requiring more than one class period, this resource takes earth science learners on a journey through a watershed. Using ArcGIS Explorer, an online geographic information system, they view maps of watersheds and surrounding landscapes....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biomass Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Junior ecologists relate how food chains and food webs route matter and energy through an ecosystem. They trace feeding levels of a food chain or food web through a pyramid of energy. As a reinforcement activity, learners construct three...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Macroinvertebrate Identification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Drawings of twenty-four different macroinvertebrates array this worksheet. Lines are provided beneath each for young ecologists to write descriptions on. Take your charges out to the nearest stream for specimen collection and have them...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Arizona's Biotic Communities Lesson 3: A Day in the Life

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Junior ecologists examine Arizona's biotic communities and research an animal or plant that is found in this community. In this instructional activity, learnerss write a narrative essay about their assigned animal or plant. They research...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Filtration

For Teachers 6th - 8th
As an example of nature's water filtering system, young ecologists conduct an experiment in the lab. They construct a funnel out of a plastic bottle, fill it with specified layers of materials that simulate layers of soil, then run muddy...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

That's Predictable - Stream Side Science

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Research the impact that changes in biotic or abiotic factors might have on an ecosystem. Debate for or against the changes and take action in the community. This resource ideally follows stream studies that young ecologists may have...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Missing Macroinvertebrates - Stream Side Science

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Field study groups collect samples of stream water and identify the macroinvertebrates found. Using their data, they calculate a water quality index to rate the health of the stream. They graph their data and discuss the value of a water...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in the Water? - Stream Side Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Here is a complete activity in which young biologists or ecologists test the pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and temperature of stream water. The class visits an actual stream and makes observations of the site. They use scientific...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wetland vs. Stream Macroinvertebrates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A link to a comprehensive macroinvertebrate guide gives you the information needed to prepare for this field study activity. Sample macroinvertebrates are collected from areas representing different environmental conditions. Junior...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rapa River Watch

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Assess the risk of introducing a non-native species of snail to four different estuaries. Lab groups conduct research as habitat evaluation and present their conclusions to the class. The resource has a comprehensive booklet containing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Massive Migrations

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Here is an exciting exploration of a fascinating topic for your emerging ecologists: bird migration! They begin by visiting the US Fish & Wildlife Service website to discover which Arctic birds come to their areas. They are assigned...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tallying Local Species to Learn About Diversity

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Using this thoroughly-written plan, you can have your junior ecologists exploring local biodiversity. They take a journal outdoors to tally the species that they see. An article is included along with comprehension questions. The author...
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PPT
Curated OER

Glacier Bay Seabirds

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
A gorgeous collection of photographs take viewers on a virtual tour or Glacier Bay National Park with a focus on the seabirds living in the area. Adaptations to the polar climate are highlighted, different species of birds are displayed,...
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Lesson Plan
Wild Screen

Design a Conservation Programme

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In a comprehensive project, teen ecologists read case studies to learn about successful conservation programs, then work together to research an ecosystem. The project culminates with either an in-class presentation about a conservation...
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Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Pollution in Our Watershed

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
The concept of a how pesticides and other chemicals pass through a watershed can be difficult for younger learners to grasp without a concrete example. In the activity here, some blank paper, markers, and a spray bottle are all you need...
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Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

What Is My Footprint?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
How do one's habits and lifestyle choices affect the environment? Through a short online survey, learners will calculate their own carbon footprints then determine how to reduce their impact on the environment through simple steps, such...
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Interactive4:02
Scholastic

Study Jams! Food Chains

For Students 3rd - 7th Standards
Rhinozilla is Mia's bearded dragon and the focus of this lesson on energy flow in an ecosystem. She uses him to explain the energy pyramid, from producers through third level consumers, and she likens the food chain to a video game. Mia...
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Lesson Plan
National Gardening Association

Migration Mishaps

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Elementary ecologists pretend to be migratory hummingbirds. They fly between wintering and nesting grounds, trying to reach a habitat haven. In a musical-chair fashion, some birds will miss out, and are removed from the game. To further...
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Unit Plan
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Curated OER

Unit 2: Global to Local: Understanding My Place in the Hydrosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
What does the ground around your home have to do with water pollution? Young ecologists learn about their local watershed and create their own cause-and-effect models of the hydrosphere.
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Biomes of the World

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Incorporate knowledge about biomes and ecosystems in multiple ways while encouraging creativity. Emerging ecologists collaborate and perform research to complete a graphic organizer about various biomes of the world. They conclude the...
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Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Biomes and Population Dynamics - Balance Within Natural Systems

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How large can a population become? The fifth installment of a nine-part unit teaches young ecologists about limiting factors that determine the carrying capacity of species in the Sonoran Desert. Here is a PowerPoint to help present this...
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Lesson Plan
AAAS

Identification and Classification of Grassland Plants

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Take learning outside and start classifying grasslands. Young ecologists observe grassland plants in order to classify them into the appropriate species by family. They note their characteristics and where they grow. A true field...

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