Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Comics to teach Habitat and the Balance of Nature

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students visit a specific online comics website to view a comic. They discuss the elements of the food chain that were seen in the story. They choose an inhabitant of the pond habitat that they have been reading about and do a research...
Lesson Plan
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Great Salt Lake

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders make an ecosystem that brine shrimp can live in and take data as to what level of salinity the water is, how cold it is, and other data that students may think is important. They also hypothesize and predict the outcomes...
Lesson Plan
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Forest Friends Forever

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Pupils investigate how to use the senses to gather information about objects such as size, shape, color, texture, sound, position, and change (qualitative observations are utilized throughout this lesson plan). They investigate and...
Lesson Plan
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Algal Blooms

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this algal blooms worksheet, learners order the stages of a red tide. They answer two short answer questions. Students define three terms relating to algal blooms.
Lesson Plan
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Using a Matrix to Compare, Contrast, and Analyze Connections

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore writing techniques by comparing fiction vs. non-fiction. In this literature analysis lesson, students read stories from Aesop's Fables and compare the themes and characters to stories from their own life. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honey Bee Biology

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students review the basic parts of an insect and explore the anatomical characteristics of a honey bee. The second part of the lesson focuses on ways to identify a honey bee from other stinging insects.
Lesson Plan
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Wetland Metaphors

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils are presented with a selection of hands on objects for investigation as metaphors for natural functions of wetlands. A 'Mystery Metaphor Container' is presented to the class with everything having to do with a wetland in some...
Lesson Plan
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WONDERFUL, WATERFUL WETLANDS

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students list characteristics of wetland and describe the functions of a wetland.
Lesson Plan
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Little Me in a Big World: Ants

For Teachers 1st
First graders predict, observe and record strategies to overcome them using discussions, role play, and charts. Over a three or four day period, they examine obstacles that humans and insects encounter.
Lesson Plan
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The Spider Beside Her

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders expand their knowledge of spiders. By creating a model of a spider, 2nd graders recognize differences between spiders and insects and determine that a spider is not an insect.
Lesson Plan
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Help Wanted! Jobs in Ancient Mesopotamia

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore life in early Mesopotamia through a list of jobs that people taken from an ancient clay tablet found in Mesopotamia. The list is compare to jobs still performed in today's society.
Lesson Plan
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Types of Pollution

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students differentiate between various types of water pollution and complete a Venn diagram with the information. They consider why there are laws regulating the release of pollution in water and discuss solutions to pollution problems.
Lesson Plan
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Vertebrates are Cool!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students conduct research on various vertebrates. They read the eBook 'Vertebrates,' select a vertebrate, conduct research, and create an eBook with one photo about their chosen vertebrate.
Lesson Plan
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Animal Research Project

For Teachers 1st
First graders are introduced to the topic of researching by the librarian. Using a worksheet, they use various sources in the library to choose one animal from various groups. They complete a fact sheet on each animal and report their...
Lesson Plan
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Look At Those Leaves!

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students observe, measure, and sort tree leaves. They examine leaves individually, in groups, and in relationship to the entire tree. Pupils take a walk outside for a "Leaf Walk." Students are each given a lunch size paper bag, so that...
Lesson Plan
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Legends and Lore

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students begin the instructional activity by responding in their journals regarding questions about their favorite fairy tales. They listen to a folk tale and answer questions based on the folk tale genre and then brainstorm aphorisms...
Lesson Plan
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Fall is All Around Us

For Teachers K - 1st
Pupils develop and create a production company and produce a fall event that demonstrates what they have learned in various subject areas. STudents create stories, complete a venn diagram comparing fall and summer, graph and measure...
Lesson Plan
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Spot Identification of Some of the Most Common Insect Orders

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the basic characteristics of insect orders and develop short-cut techniques to identify insects into twelve of the most common orders. They use captured specimens and photographs to practice identification and then...
Lesson Plan
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Recyclers to the Rescue

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the concept of the food chain and define producer, consumer, herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore. They draw a food chain for a mouse and discuss the different organisms involved in the chain, and conduct an...
Lesson Plan
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INDUSTRY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create a final project called Industry X (which was previously researched in the unit) has plans to build in town. There is a special town meeting scheduled to discuss this matter and allow everyone to express their...
Lesson Plan
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The Seven Characteristics of Life

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate the characteristics of living and nonliving things. They conduct a research quest in order to identify the seven characteristics of life. Then students pick one aspect and use it to create a song meant to be...
Lesson Plan
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Marshland Wonders

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students review the characteristics of wetlands and list their benefits. After viewing short videos, they identify the organims that make their home in wetlands and how they have adapted. They compare and contrast the characteristics...
Lesson Plan
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Knock On Wood

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the trees of the Mississippi Valley, specifically looking at the coniferous and deciduous forests. The research of the area is part of a field study when students conduct a survey of local forests in order to create...
Lesson Plan
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Help Wanted! Jobs in Ancient America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars are introduced to the various occupations in Mesopotamia. In groups, they discuss the reasons for occupations changing over time. They use the internet to research the ancient jobs of their choice and write a paper...