Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polar Bears in Houston

For Teachers 1st
First graders read a book about animal babies from the Arctic and discuss what a polar bear needs to survive. They design a suitable zoo habitat for a polar bear using crayons and paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthworm Movement and Landscape Structure

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students describe differences in animal usage of habitats depending upon successional status of site. They also design other experiments to test movement patterns of animals through habitats of differing structure.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conditions in And Connections To Indonesia

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders research an animal and its habitat, the conditions of that habitat and how its connections to the rest of the world are affecting that habitat.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals from Afar

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students visualize the scope of the Roman empire by illustrating the geographic origins of various imported animals. They study how exotic animals were imported into Rome from the farthest regions of the empire.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals of Madagascar

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are each assigned an animal from Madagascar. They research their animal and design a picture book about their animal. Students design a cover page, back page, bibliography page and the title page. Their book will contain...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mother Nature's Laboratory

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students research how various plants and animals adapt over time to specific habitats and for specific purposes. Students produce a pictorial report on an example of an animal or plant's adaptation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get to Know Birds

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students observe animals in their natural habitats. In this bird identification lesson, students observe birds by watching and listening and report on the sightings they made. Students also document bird signs such as tracks, nests and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Please Help!

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the prairie food chain while designing a rescue strategy for an endangered species. They compare their strategy to that of a professional conservation expert.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life on the Edge

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students participate in a variety of activities about endangered animals. They read books, watch videos, and, in pairs, choose an endangered animal to research. They create a 2 slide presentation to be compiled into a class slide show.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating New Animals

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars navigate an interactive web site to create imaginary animals. They research one or more animals. They create one page report with pictures. They discuss attributes of animals they have researched.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kids Can Help

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this helping worksheet, students read about ways they can help pets affected by Hurricane Katrina. These include raising money to support the HSUS Disaster Relief Fund, by holding a car wash, bake sale, or auction.
Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: Webcams in the Classroom: Animal Inquiry and Observation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Observe animal behavior patterns and their habitats using one of the many webcams broadcasting from zoos and aquariums around the United States and the world in this inquiry-based activity that focuses on observation logs, class...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: The New Zoos: Polar Bear Picnic

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore zoos and the change in animal care, and research the physiology and habitats of polar bears. Investigate the difference between what is essential to survive and what is desirable in an enriched environment.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Our Trip Around the Biomes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
During this instructional activity, students travel to the biomes by way of the Internet. They learn the characteristics of biomes, including animals, plants, temperatures, etc. Students then use this information to create a slideshow...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Libraries: Zoos, a Historical Perspective

For Students 9th - 10th
An online sample of maps, drawings and photographs of zoos from over 30 states and 40 countries.
Handout
San Diego Zoo Global

San Diego Zoo: Birds

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides detailed information about birds, as well as several pictures.