American Museum of Natural History
Around the World with DNA
DNA analysis could be what saves some animals from extinction. An interactive lesson shows learners how DNA information proves variation among animals of the same species and how stakeholders use that information to make decisions. Easy...
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey
The Great Peregrine Scavenger Hunt - On the Internet
The story of one bird provides valuable insight into general animal behaviors and interactions. Young researchers investigate the peregrine falcon using a web search. They analyze the behaviors of the raptor including its migration...
American Museum of Natural History
Ask a Scientist About Dinosaurs
Who doesn't want to know more about the mysterious dinosaurs? Learners read about dinosaurs and the process scientists use to continue learning more about the animals in an interview-type format. A paleontologist responds to submitted...
Curated OER
Birds of A Feather
Students observe and record the many types of birds they see in a month. They discover the many patterns birds follow and compare their results with other classrooms. They complete a field assessment as the final activity for this lesson.
American Museum of Natural History
Beyond T. Rex
Some dinosaurs get all the attention. Pupils use an interactive resource to study some of the lesser-known dinosaur species. Organizing the information in a cladogram allows learners to make connections among the species.
Curated OER
We're All Passenger
Pupils examine Passenger Pigeons and why they are now extinct. Through a class discussion, students discover the need to help endangered animals. They consider activities to become involved in assisting animals. Pupils write a poem or...
Curated OER
Martha Who?
Learners explore how the number and types of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, a range of temperatures, soil composition. They are...
Curated OER
Academic Raceway 500
This PowerPoint provides a raceway game in which students compete by answering animal questions correctly to advance their racecar. The main animal themes covered are adaptation, survival, endangered and extinct animals, and ways to...
Curated OER
Sounds of the Wetlands
Students identify the sounds of different bird calls. In this biology instructional activity, students create a sound map. They explain how this method is important in tracking wildlife.
Curated OER
Explorations Through Time
In this earth history worksheet, high schoolers visit a website and complete 15 fill in the blank and 8 short answer questions based on what they read. Topics include biodiversity, animal kingdoms, evolution, fossils, and extinction.
Curated OER
Here Today. . .Gone Tomorrow
Learners observe that there are threatened and endangered bird species in Illinois, why they have been given this status and how it relates to endangered species on a worldwide basis. they participate in the Project WILD "Oh, Deer" or...
Curated OER
In From Out of Town
Pupils explore how the introduction of foreign species negatively affects native Hawaiian bird species. In this science lesson plan, students discuss how various species were introduced to Hawaii and the effects of these species on...
Curated OER
Biodiversity
Fifth graders visit the playground to look for signs of life. They search for insects, birds, animal tracks, feathers, nests, trees, soil, etc. They then compose a class list that shows all findings in the schoolyard and post it in the...
Berkeley Engineering and Mentors
Darwin's Finches
Try a twist on the old finch beak and chopsticks activity by using M&Ms on a Twister mat. Spoons, knives, forks, and chopsticks represent beaks and are randomly assigned to your little birds, who must collect as much food as possible...
Curated OER
Species Subtraction
In this subtraction worksheet, student use a table of information to write equations and solve, then complete one related extension activity.
Montana State University
Everest Extremes: Biodiversity
How many animals can live in a climate as cold as Mount Everest's? Find out with a science lesson all about biodiversity. Activities include research, presentations, group work, coloring maps, and a simulation of a food web.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section Two: Why is Biodiversity Important?
Explore soil, genetic traits, natural resources, and pollution in a series of lessons that focus on biodiversity. Kids complete experiments to learn more about the importance of varied genes and organisms in an ecosystem.
Curated OER
Make Way for Wild Migrants
Students discuss the threats facing migratory species and track the seasonal journeys of wildlife in real space and in cyberspace. Once they have gathered information from several sources, they create a portfolio to share with others...
Curated OER
Next Stop, the Watsonville Wetlands
Students study bird migrations and the importance of wetlands. In this migration instructional activity students play a game and complete a computer activity.
Curated OER
Case Study--"What Good Is It?"
Students receive a realistic introduction to the intricacies of the endangered species problem. Students examine and refine personal concepts of non-utilitarian value and biocentric stewardship. Students examine what, if any, duties the...
Curated OER
The Great American Alligator
In this alligator activity, students read a short essay describing the natural history of this reptile. Then students complete 3 fill in the blank and 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Changing Ecosystems
In this ecosystem worksheet, students will review terms associated with succession in an ecosystem plus the various relationships between organisms. This worksheet has 5 matching, 9 true or false, and 6 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Biodiversity: El Imposible National Park, El Salvador
Fifth graders explore the concept of how the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more interdependence of species exists within that system. The complex relationships among diverse species are difficult to identify. As species disappear or...