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Comparative Stream Quality
Students examine water quality on a nearby stream. They collect water samples and test for various factors, including any contamination from the treatment plant, and present their information in a Powerpoint presentation.
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Into the Pond
Seventh graders use a pond to explore macroinvertebrates and other organisms. They use a dichotomous key to classify the organisms and maintain a journal recording their findings.
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"Approaching Walden: From Emerson to Thoreau"
Young scholars examine selected local leaves in greater detail in the classroom by using more analytical drawing techniques. They use Thoreau's drawing of a Scarlett Oak as their model. Students choose a leave from a box of leaves...
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Sunshine and Shadows
Students measure their shadows early in the morning, record direction of shadow, make marks in ground with chalk or tape, measure with ruler, and record results. Students repeat process at noon, and then later in afternoon. Students...
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Bats Migrate South
Students examine the life of bats in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the history of the bat in Illinois and describe the way they find prey by using echolocation. They report their findings to the class and answer any...
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In the Wild
Third graders examine the concept of ecology and how animals are suited to their habitats. In this animal adaptation instructional activity, 3rd graders identify a variety of plants and animal species that live in a Beech forest.Students...
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A Perfect Pond Study Lesson Plan
Students take a field trip to a wetland ecosystem. An informal pond study is performed by students. They examine their favorite animal, write a description of how it moves and illustrate it. In groups, students draw pictures of organisms...
Wild BC
The Greenhouse Effect: The Role of CO2
Though this is meant to be second in a two-part activity, the two are not dependent on each other. Pupils play the roles of visible light rays, light or dark surfaces, and carbon dioxide molecules. They interact and react according to...
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Natural Resource Management Course Outline
Gain skills in ecosystem evaluation including chemical, biological, and physical qualities. Students write a report on a local ecosystem.
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Understanding Community Environment
In this understanding community environment learning exercise, students, after exploring 5 parts of a study unit (link provided), choose a project (make a video, book, game, plan a garden or nature map, collect data, write a rap or...
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What Is It?
Play the game of Tag and differentiate between plants and animals. Explore the characteristics of plants. Identify the major parts of plants (e.g., seeds, stem, pistil) and describe their basic functions. Compare the requirements of some...
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What is a National Forest
Students select and research a National Forest near their local community. They read and discuss the pamphlet "A Guide To Your National Forests," view photos of national forests, conduct Internet research, and complete the student...
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TE Lesson: GPS on the Move
Young scholars participate in a scavenger hunt and a drawing activity to examine the use of Global Positioning Systems including a handheld GPS receiver for personal navigation. They practice using the GPS receivers while collecting data...
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TE Lesson: I've Gotta Get Some Air
Students investigate types and sources of indoor air pollutions both at home and in school. They decide on how to prevent poor indoor air quality. They debate smoking in order to determine how language usage can be an influence in...
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The Physics of the Planets: How 16th and 17th Century Physicist Helped Us Understand Our Solar System
Eighth graders draw the paths of the planets in the solar system. In this astronomy lesson plan, 8th graders calculate speed of objects using distance and time information. They research about the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th...
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Garbage Pizza
Students examine amount of garbage disposed of by average household weekly, classify different categories of garbage and describe composition of landfills, investigate what happens to waste after it is collected by garbage trucks, and...
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Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers
Students examine the importance of good quality safety gear. In this investigative lesson, students will tests various polymers, collect data, and analyze the data to determine which polymer is best for safety helmets. They will design a...
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Guidebook
Students create a book about plants they observe after identifying and researching them.
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Explore: 1st Grade Plant Observation
First graders grow seeds in a mini terrarium. They compare the root systems, stems, leaves, and flowers of the different plants. They categorize the plants and discuss the basic functions of plant parts.
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Sorting and Classifying with Tree Products
Fourth graders sort and classify wood. In this sorting tree products lesson plan, 4th graders sort and classify tree parts and pieces of wood, both natural and manufactured according to their properties.
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John Muir Nature Journal
Students explain how John Muir carefully and quietly observed nature and record his observations in his journal with writings and drawings. Students create their own nature observation journal.
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Water Conservation
For this environment worksheet, students look for the facts of how to conserve water and help the environment. They complete the activities as part of the unit.
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Identifying Indoor Environment Pollution Sources (List, Group, Label Activity)
Students identify the cause of indoor air pollution. In this indoor air pollution instructional activity, students list, group, and label sources of indoor pollution. They brainstorm a list of all of the indoor pollutants they can think...
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Conservation in Action
Students research the life and works of Rachel Carson. In this conservation instructional activity, students discuss environmental protection and why protection of wildlife is important. Students read a Rachel Carson Fact Sheet and work...