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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Resources: Getting a Fair Share?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the impact of human behavior on key components of the environment, examine how theirn own personal decisions have added to the problem, and explore possible solutions to the current ecological crisis.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Now We Teach Six Rs

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners explore recycling.  In this ecology lesson, students sort classroom garbage into items that can be reused, reduced, or recycled.  Learners brainstorm ideas for reusing items and discuss ways to celebrate Earth Day at home.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beaver Ecology

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of Water Pollution on Aquatic Organisms

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate water pollution. They develop an understanding of the behavior of organisms, of the structure and properties of matter, and of natural and human induced hazards by conducting lab tests. They present their data...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Australian Ecology and Bushfires

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discuss the different types of ecosystem. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain the benefits and harm of fire. They research articles about bush fires or controlled burn instance and share it with the class.
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Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lesson 2: Gorongosa National Park

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How has Gorongosa National Park changed over time? Discover the park's rich history, dating back to primitive human times, through an interactive timeline and scientific reading. The second installment in an eight-part series explores...
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Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lesson 1: WildCam Gorongosa

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Take a walk on the wild side! Episode one of an eight-part series of interactive lessons regarding Gorongosa National Park invites learners to become a part of the citizen science community. Scholars read a brief overview of the trail...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gorillas In The Midst

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the idea of the eco-tour, and examine different aspects of the Mountain Gorilla Project eco-tour in Rwanda. They synthesize their understanding by acting as expert panelists on a morning news show that focuses on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Optimal Foraging

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in a foraging activity that demonstrates environmental conditions playing an important role in determining the optimal foraging behavior of a particular organism.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Symbiotic Strategies: The Secret Lives of Sharks and Rays

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the interaction in an oceanic ecosystem. For this symbiotic relationship lesson, high schoolers investigate how ecological relationships evolve over long periods of time in order to maintain balance and stability of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploration of "Pillbugs"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define vocabulary terms, identify the characteristics of a pillbug, and create a dichotomous key. Then they examine the pillbugs and make observations and record these observations. Finally, 5th graders observe specific...
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Lesson Plan
University of Kentucky

Beneficial Bug Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Many people think of bugs as annoying pests to be squashed, but most insects and spiders are beneficial, eating the actual pests or pollinating plants. After reviewing some of the common bugs in your area (they may differ from those...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Field Guide to Schoolyard Insects and Their Relatives

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Sometimes all you need to complete your perfect lesson plan is an awesome hands-on learning experience. Here is an extension activity that is sure to excite your learners. They'll head outside to observe the local insect community. When...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raising an Animal

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students observe reproduction and behavior in several types of animals and nurture a sense of responsibility and cooperation. They then examine external features of several different types of animal groups.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigative Case - Living in an Alkaline Environment

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students are shown many ways in which Mono Lake water and distilled water are different. They demonstrate that the survival of common soil bacteria declines as pH increases. Students examine the behaviors, adaptations, energy transfer,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tread Lightly: Where We Stand

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore the concept of ecological footprints. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students calculate their ecological footprints and consider how to reduce them.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bat Ecology

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students, through hands on games and activities, discover how bats live and how bats benefit ecosystems. They play a game designed to show them how echolocation works and another to show how mother bats locate their young through their...
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Lesson Plan
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science

A Deadly Passion

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Depending on the level of maturity of your class, the case study presented here could be fascinating. It focuses on the mating behavior and post-mating rituals of the Australian redback spider, which involves the female eating the male...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecology

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Pupils gain an understanding of necessary components required within a healthy, sustainable environment and ways human actions can impact that balance while discovering how to recognize and analyze explanations and models used in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecology - Biodiversity Lab

For Teachers 9th
Studnents examine the degree of biodiversity that exists in one's everyday environment, in order to develop an understanding of how scientists classify organisms and to explain why biodiversity is important for living things.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature Tribute

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore parts of nature. In this environmental instructional activity, students discuss how their actions can affect the environment and design a plan to clean up a specified area. Students practice good hygiene during the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High School EcoHouse Curriculum

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How has the level of carbon dioxide changed over recent years, and what is contributing it? Groups work together to research and present their findings in a creative way. Also built into the lesson is a visit to a sustainable house, but...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Radical Raptors

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students define raptor, explain why raptors are important, describe unique physical characteristics of various types of raptors, and explain life cycle of raptors. Students then play Habitat Game, describe food and hunting habits of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cool Corals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore corals and polyps.  In this coral reef instructional activity students divide into groups and prepare a written report.