Curated OER
The Chesapeake Bay in Captain John Smith's Time
When Captain John Smith visited the Chesapeake Bay in the summer of 1608, what types of animals and habitats did he encounter? Your young historians will analyze primary source documents to answer this question, as well as compare...
Curated OER
What Animals Need to Live
Fourth graders read "Habitat: What Animals Need to Live" then create a Venn diagram for herbivore, omnivore, and carnivore. In this animal survival lesson, 4th graders determine where different animals need to live depending on what they...
Curated OER
Costs of Providing for animals
Students explore the necessary costs of animals shelters and taking care of one pet. In this providing for animals lesson, students calculate the costs of keeping a pet. Students understand the need for outside funding for animal shelters.
National Wildlife Federation
Massive Migrations
Turn your students into flocks of migratory birds for this fun lesson on animal migration. Prior to the activity, the teacher creates four different migration routes in the classroom or any available open space, labeling nesting...
Curated OER
Can We Keep the Lake Clean?
Students are introduced to the water cycle. They help draw a picture of a lake ecosystem, adding human impacts that affect water quality. Students help fill in the components of a drawing of a water system. At the end of the lesson...
Curated OER
Marine & Aquatic Habitats -- Journey of a Drop of Water Through a Watershed
Students discuss pollution and the steps in the hydrologic cycle. They follow a drop of water through a watershed simulation. They discover the components of a water cleaning system as well.
Curated OER
A Wild Chain Reaction
Learners explore habitats. In this habitat lesson, students break into groups and are labeled as a part of a habitat. Learners then do an activity with yarn that shows how all of the parts are connected and depend on each...
Curated OER
Urban Life: What Lives In Our Local Park?
Fifth graders participate in activities during a visit to Central Park. In this urban life lesson, 5th graders visit Central Park where they explore pond dipping, stream chemistry, and play a native plant Bingo game.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Relationships to Places
Young historians take a look at how the Indian tribes of California promoted a mindful relationship between people and the land. They begin to understand how the Indians were champions of conservation, and at preserving the natural...
Curated OER
Forest Habitat Fragmentation
Seventh graders discuss the loss of animal habitats and the importance of refuge areas for them. They collect small pictures of animals found in their state and glue them to an outline of their state according to their range. Finally,...
Curated OER
Oh No! Oil Spills
Students discover the threats of an oil spill. For this ecological awareness lesson, students examine the effects of oil spills on animals and our oceans. Students get simulated oil on themselves and discover ways to clean it...
Curated OER
Habitat Lap Sit
Students examine through role play interdependence of animal and man in their search for the proper arrangement of food, water, shelter and space in the same regions. Students then discuss necessary components of suitable habitat.
Curated OER
I Wear My Genes Inside Out: The Genetic Characteristics of Animals
Young scholars create mixed breed dogs using paper illustrations of various breeds. They label dogs created by students using the Genetics Center and discuss the aspects of genetics that affect the outcome of the various projects.
Curated OER
The Great Pond Safari
Students study pond life by visiting a pond and completing an associated worksheet. They play an online game based on the pond learning experience.
Curated OER
I'm Not Home Alone
Students view species of plants and animals in their native habitats. They design a classroom habitat and create a plan for raising the necessary funds to accomplish their project.
Curated OER
A Matter of Survival
Fourth graders dance with inspiration from wild animals. In this creative movement instructional activity, 4th graders watch a video clip and then move like an animal might move in their natural surroundings.
Curated OER
Water Trash
Students examine how plastic waste affects the marine environment. They describe techniques that reduce plastic waste in this environment after examining plastic waste that accumulates in their own homes.
Curated OER
African Savanna
First graders are introduced to the ecosystems of savannas throughout the world. Using new vocabulary, they identify and describe the characteristics of a savanna and the animals that live there. They also describe the Earth's physical...
Curated OER
A Day in a Life of an Arctic/Antarctic Animal
Students, through video segments, explore what types of animals live in the Arctic and Antarctica. They also clear up any misconceptions they have about penguins or polar bears.
Curated OER
"Julie of the Wolves"
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. They...
Curated OER
Rock-a-bye Babies in a Wetland
Students review the way human babies grow and what type of care they need. Using the internet, they are introduced to five different wetland habitat animals and how their babies grow. They discover how they are born and what the...
Curated OER
Explorit's Wetlands Quiz
In this wetlands worksheet, students complete a 31 question multiple choice on-line interactive quiz about wetlands. Included are questions about plants, animals and geography.
Michigan Sea Grant
Survival Game
Musical chairs may be a classic game, but Ruffe Musical Chairs is a unique lesson on invasive species! Using the time-honored game, pupils role play the behaviors of the invasive fish called Eurasian ruffe. Learning about this aggressive...