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It Takes All Kinds!
Students view video clips and observe similarities and differences between animals. They sort animals into groups for a zoo. They make a graph of their observations and review scientific classifications.
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Species Discovery
How many of your students know that even today new species are being found all over the globe? Introduce them to the amazing diversity our planet houses with a creative activity about animal variation and classification. They'll use a...
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Who Am I?
Students classify organisms into one of five categories: producer, consumer, decomposer, predator, or prey. Students play a "Who Am I" game. Signs are hung on the backs of fellow students They must ask questions to determine what...
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Who's There
Fifth graders, in groups, make a list of at least three animals that would survive well in a particular environment. After an allotted time, they pass their list to another group, where they will add to it. They discuss adaptations each...
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Biodiversity
In this biodiversity learning exercise, learners sort and classify animals by their observable features using a dichotomous key. Students then respond to questions about complete and incomplete metamorphosis.
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Life in a Mini World
Sixth graders observe, describe, and classify microorganisms found in water sources. In small groups, they make their own slide, observe the Protozoa under a microscope, and record and classify the microorganisms.
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Animal Diversity
Students examine plants and animals for their similarties and differences. They are read stories and note how the animals in the stories do not have the qualities that real animals have. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson.
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Invertebrates and Vertebrate Evolution
Students explore the major characteristics of the major animal phyla. They describe adaptive features that have contributed to the success of animals on land. Students explain how primate evolution provides a context for understanding...
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Identifying Vertebrates
In this biology worksheet, 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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Where are the Dinosaurs?
Students understand what it means when an animal is extinct. In this dinosaur lesson, students create dinosaur dioramas showing their habitat and what in their environment might make them become extinct. students pay particular attention...
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What's the Difference?
Students analyze the similarities in different species. This lesson plan is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. In this segment, students classify shoes to mimic the scientific categories of the classification system.
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Biodiversity in Sixth Grade
Sixth graders explore the nature of habitats on an ABC hike. In groups, they collect items that make up habitats including plants, feathers, and leaves among other materials. Students then classify and organize the collected materials...
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Under The Sea
In this resource lesson plan, students use non-fiction books to research ocean animals. Students discover the many features of non-fiction books and how to use these features to help them conduct research. Students then categorize...
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Isosceles Triangles
Students investigate triangles. In this shapes geometry lesson, students define and state the attributes for equilateral, scalene, and isosceles triangles. Students locate the prefix "tri" in a variety of words and make connections with...
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3-D Figures Part 1
Elementary schoolers explore 3-D shapes. They transition from thinking of shapes as only 2-D. Pupils read Cinderella as a launching activity for their upcoming adventure, and explore a new world of 3-D shapes in this introductory lesson.
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The Game of Life
Students describe what it means for a marine animal or fish to be threatened or endangered after playing game simulating extinction.
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Camouflage
First graders learn how plants and animals adapt to their environments. In this camouflage lesson, 1st graders watch a movie that explains animal camouflage, design a butterfly that blends into a classroom habitat, create a mini...
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The Game of Life
Students explore the game of life which refers to what happens to a species when most of the population is gone. In this endangered species lesson plan, students describe what it means for a marine animal to be endangered. Students...
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Red Tail Ridge Wetland Study Project
Fifth graders use a real life scenario of the wetlands to gather information on creatures of the habitat. For this wetlands lesson, 5th graders research the interdependence of organisms in a healthy habitat. Students collected...
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Life Cycle: Diversity in a Balance 4th Grade Workbook
In this life cycle workbook, 5th graders examine plant and animal cells, classification of organisms, human biology, photosynthesis, and natural environments. 21 different activities make up the Life Cycle Workbook.
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Researching Animals Portrayed in Fables
Students research an animal used in fables. In this lesson on nonfiction texts, students use the Internet to find information about an animal to help them complete a Research Response Sheet.
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Exploring Limu Diversity
Students explore limu diversity. In this ocean ecosystem lesson, students classify limu according to its physical properties. Students work in small groups to generate scientific observations and sort limu by characteristics.
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Cones, Cylinders, Spheres
Students classify polygons by name and shape. For this geometry lesson, students identify the lateral surface of each conic. They differentiate between cones, cylinders and spheres.