Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mitosis and Cell Division

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students discover the processes that occur during mitosis and what makes each phase different and distinct from the others as well as how each contribute to the overall process of mitosis by looking at onion root tips under a microscope.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Are We? An Introduction to the Life Within Our Bodies

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine cell structure, cell division, and the basic structure of DNA. They read and discuss a case study of DNA research, answer discussion questions, role-play the process of mitosis, and complete a DNA Fact or Fiction worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reproduction and Heredity

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the importance of cell division, compare cell division in prokaryotic and eucaryotic cells, identify the stages of mitosis and recognize meiosis in reproductive cells.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling: The Way to Save...Fad or Fact

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students write stories about recycling and illustrate them. They examine various containers and determine whether or not they are recyclable. They make a chart about the containers and visit a recycling center.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Risk Communication: Media Presentation Exercise

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students work in groups to prepare a brief broadcast or print news report from one of five possible viewpoints about an environmental contamination scenario. Students are given basic information about a chemical spill in a small town and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Basics of Earth Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss and define the term "scientific theory." They work in small groups to draft an overview of one theory including details about the theory's evidence and significance.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollution Research

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore pollution. They conduct preliminary research on pollution using the internet. Students share their findings with the group. They work with a group and create lists of facts on pollution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do Cells Reproduce?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Beginning biologists prepare a sugar solution for yeast cells to live in, and divide it into two different jars. Samples from each jar are viewed with a microscope, and then one jar is placed in a warm environment and the other a cold...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanic Activity in the U.S.

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate and map ten volcanoes in United States, create chart comparing volcanoes by last eruption, type of volcano, location, and interesting fact, and create Powerpoint slide show describing basic information about volcanoes and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cell

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the basic processes by which cells divide and transfer their genetic information. They recognize and distinguish possible inherited traits and through the discovery method of the facts and principles of inheritance....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Anaconda

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine basic facts about the anaconda. They discuss the length of an anaconda, estimate the length of 33 feet, compare their estimate to the actual length, and decorate the paper snake with colored scales.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On Market Street

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders study basic facts about consumers and consumer goods. The book "On Market Street" is used in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FREE STANDING STRUCTURE

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students demonstrate basic construction skills by building a free standing structure. They compute the cost of the structure.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in Space: International Space Station

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the potential challenges of living in space.  In this investigative lesson students search the Internet to locate 16 nations that are working together to build the Independent Space Station, then they divide into...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blue Planet: Coral Seas

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils create a poster about coral reefs. For this oceanography lesson, students teach the class about a given aspect of the coral reefs.  Pupils create posters with images and facts about this habitat. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Malaria: The Cause

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the basic facts about malaria. They study how the disease can spread so quickly and label the pathway of the malaria parasite.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: All About Fish

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders describe the physical and behavioral characteristics of fish. In small groups, they complete fish fact sheets by filling in the missing key words. They play a "What Am I?" game by giving clues about various fish for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Trial of the Bloody Sucker

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students study creatures that drink blood. For this blood suckers lessons, students watch videos to learn about creatures that drink blood. Students divide into groups and make posters about the organisms. Students then participate in a...
Lesson Plan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section One: What is Biodiversity?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Companion to Superfund -- The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Program

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. They work together to discover how their local community handles waste disposal. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SeaWorld: Education, Entertainment, or Exploitation?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss SeaWorld, research marine animal biology, investigate one animal currently collected by SeaWorld, and decide whether they oppose or support SeaWorld's collection policy. Students then gather information relating to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Gravity: What Goes Up Must Come Down

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe falling objects. For this lesson about gravity, students work in groups to determine how objects fall. Students determine speed of objects falling and whether weight is a factor. Students understand the concept of gravity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Digging Deeper

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders write a report. In this research lesson, 5th graders work in groups to complete an Internet scavenger hunt. Students research an area of health related to nutrition or exercise, write a report and present their report to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements of Physics: Energy And Work

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the difference between potential and kinetic energy.  For this energy lesson students view a video and apply these energies to real world situations.