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Mallard's Wet Olympics
Students investigate some of the different characteristics of living things. They make observations from reading and interactive media. Students observe that animals move in different ways and have adaptations to aid in that action.
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Mussel Identification Activity
Students identify given species of animals, such as various
mussels, by sets of physical characteristics as they use a key. They also read about mussels on the Illinois River and look at mussel species in the online database. Finally,...
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Eco-Logical: A Coastal Logic Problem
Fourth graders study the characteristics of five coastal communities. They use logic cards and matching activities to identify the proper community for plant and animal species.
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What Are You Doing Here?
Students draw scenes of different environments and create unexpected visitors in those environments. They reinforce their understanding of the characteristics of different environments and the animals that do or do not live in these...
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Photomosaic Pixel Composite
Students research the habitat, diet, life cycle, and characteristics of an animal, and create a Japanese scroll painting of their animal. Using scanned images of animals they have painted, they create a composite mosaic using PowerPoint.
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Survival
Students identify characteristics of Australia, Africa and Antarctica and compare and contrast them to each other. They work together to identify adaptations that animals have used to survive. They also practice classifying animals.
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Glue-line Insect
First graders explore characteristics of ladybugs. They view ladybugs in ventilated containers and discuss their observations. Students read a story about ladybugs and create a glue picture of a ladybug.
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Ani-mania
Young scholars view and discuss Robert Harris' farm landscapes and create their own mural out of wood. In groups, they discuss various issues affecting pets throughout the world and create a way to protest or celebrate the issue. They...
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Wagons Test
Students examine the characteristics of different biomes. In this ecology lesson, students design biomes where given animals can live. They discuss the design within the group and share it with the class.
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I Know, I Wonder: An Introduction to Bones
Fifth graders examine the bones of animals and record what they know and what they wonder about bones.
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Skates
Students gain understanding of structure, characteristics, and basic needs of living things and their role in world, identify parts of skate, observe details of skate's body and skate egg case, and identify unique characteristics of skates.
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Insects
Students, through books, videos, and readings, explore characteristics of insects. In groups, they choose an insect to research. Students discover their insect's diet, how they move, and where they live. Afterwards, they use the facts...
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An "Eggs"traordinary Sculpture
Eighth graders identify and categorize different types of animals which lay eggs, use a five step method for viewing and interpreting a piece of artwork, and use an indirect method to find the mass of a large object.
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Classifying Organisms within Kingdoms
Students examine animal kingdom classifications. They discuss how animals are placed into kingdom classifications and compare similarities and differences of animals within a kingdom.
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Landforms All Around
Students create a "Landform Dictionary". They develop an overlay map and participate in hands-on activities to identify the key characteristics of landforms. They discuss the plant and animal life of these areas. Handouts for the lessons...
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Soil Factors
Eighth graders study the nine soil factors to use in field study and to complete an exam. They learn the components and characteristics of soil.
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Ancient History
Students investigate the concept of water usage and conservation. The differences between modern and ancient practices are considered. They conduct research into the economic and social characteristics of ancient civilizations like Egypt...
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Looking at the Community Tree
Third graders review the characteristics of living and nonliving organisms. As a class, they observe a tree and describe the interactions between the living and nonliving organisms surrounding it. To end the lesson, they ask a question...
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Determine Soil Particle Size
Students examine various soil samples in groups. Using the samples, they identify the characteristics of them and calculate percolation and infiltration rates. They use this information to discover why some species can survive in one...
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Identifying Vertebrates
In this biology instructional activity, students look for the answers to how to classify animals. They specifically focus upon the vertebrates while differentiating the characteristics from other organisms.
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Is It Slimy? Does It Have Fur? Is It Really a Bird?
Sixth graders identify the different types of vertebrate animals based upon their major characteristics, as they create collages in groups. Collages show pictures of vertebrate animals labeled with the appropriate structural...
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Alphabetical Autobiography PowerPoint
Sixth graders produce an autobiography, They complete a PowerPoint including one graphic image on each slide, and a subtle or moderate animation. They include 26 slides for each letter of the alphabet, use note pages to present...
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What's Your Classification
Learners classify animals. In this animal groups lesson, students watch a video on animal groups and review the six animal groups. Learners practice classifying animals using stuffed animals.
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Predator vs. Prey
Fifth graders participate in a game to become familiar with predators and preys. In this predator vs. prey lesson, 5th graders ascertain whether a photo shows an organism as a predator or a prey. Students read Killer Creatures....