Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spiders Build Giant Web in Texas Park

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students make predictions about a photograph of a humongous spider web, then read a news article about thousands of spiders that worked together to build it. In this biology and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honeybees are Vanishing

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Learners decide if they agree with a series of statements about the bee population, then read a news article about the disappearance of millions of U.S. honeybees. In this biology and current events instructional activity, the teacher...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cranes, Crosswalks, and Big Gulps

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students watch a video and answer questions based on wildlife jobs. In this wildlife lesson plan, students learn that biologists don't just play with animals but that there is a lot of study involved.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biochemistry Detectives

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the process of chemosynthesis and relate it to the biological communities in cold seeps. In this biochemistry lesson students interpret analyses of enzyme activity and draw inferences about organisms in cold seep...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding the Body, Day 1: Anatomy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review gender identification and label themselves female or male. They identify the parts of the human body and practice using appropriate vocabulary. They complete a worksheet to complete the instructional activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Insects: Grasshoppers

For Teachers K
Students examine grasshoppers as they practice following instructions. In this biology lesson plan, students identify the characteristics of grasshoppers and the functions of grasshoppers' external body parts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Dissection

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils study plant parts and their functions in a dissection activity. In this plant dissection lesson, students use several handouts to help them learn parts of the plant and their functions. Pupils then dissect flowers in groups...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fisheries Project

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore biology by completing a fishing worksheet. In this commercial fishery lesson, students identify the process of taking mass fish from the ocean and delivering them to eateries while discussing the negative aspects....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From the Gulf of Mexico to the Moons of Jupiter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners compare deep ocean conditions to those found on the moons of Jupiter. In this Earth science instructional activity, students consider the possibilities and conditions needed to support simple life. Learners examine the habitats...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seals, Corals, and Dollars...

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the interdependence of animals and their habitat.  In this Hawaiian ecology lesson, students work in groups to research the necessity of preserving precious coral as a habitat for monk seals.  Students prepare...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virtual Fetal Pig Dissection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the internet to introduce themselves to the anatomy of a fetal pig. In pairs or individually, they work their way through a virtual dissection of a fetal pig while completing questions on a study guide. They also develop...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing Osmosis in a Chicken Egg

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders develop a hypothesis and explain what they observed on an activity.  In this investigative lesson students observe osmosis and report their data using a graph. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drifting Downward

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the effects of different salients and temperatures on vertical movement of an organism.  In this experimental lesson students design different shapes of foil to simulate drifting planktonic organisms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Turtle Hurdles

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore physical education by researching biology. In this survival techniques lesson, students discuss the methods turtles use to survive dangerous encounters and conduct a sea turtle role play exercise. Students identify the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetically Modified Foods

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain what genetically modified foods are and how they are created. Students use appropriate vocabulary to describe and effectively discuss the benefits of, and potential risks of, genetically modified foods.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning the Dissecting Planes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore dissecting planes. In this biology lesson plan, students learn the basic vocabulary used in dissection, learn how to orient themselves on a three dimensional figure, and develop the manual dexterity necessary to use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine Life: Whales

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders delve into a study of whales. For this biology lesson plan, 6th graders fill in crossword puzzle utilizing vocabulary generated from the comparing and contrasting of common- and less common-place objects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Birth of a Plant From a Seed

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students sow seeds of learning. In this biology lesson plan, students label parts of a dicotyledon seed by function as well as by proper names.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Antigen Switching in Malaria

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers model how the malaria-causing protist avoids immune response in its host. In this parasite biology lesson, students use printed cell images to model the way that Plasmodium changes surface protein markers every few...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Eats Whom in the Open Ocean?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine how organisms interact with one another in the ocean. In this science activity, students discuss predators and prey in the ocean. Students discuss food webs and how organisms interact with each other.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollination

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the pollination process. In this plant biology lesson, 4th graders dissect a flower to identify the parts of a flower and watch a video to see seed dispersal. Students write about the pollination process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Am Unique

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners study traits of organisms including genetics and inheritance. In this genetic traits lesson, students complete a shared reading and discuss the 6 traits of uniqueness. Learners sort themselves by specific traits and chart their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parts of a Plant

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify the parts of a plant and their functions. In this plant biology lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation on plants and their parts and discuss the functions of each part. Students observe a real plant and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Terraqua Column

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders create a TerrAqua column. For this ecosystems lesson, 6th graders build a TerrAqua column to conduct investigations on how living things impact the ecosystem.