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Autumn
Students examine the cycle of nutrients in a forest. They research the concepts of decomposing and recycling within a forest.
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Ecological Citizen
Learners examine the interconnectedness of living and non-living things that constitute an ecosystem. They examine fallen trees,insects, living trees, leaves, food webs, and forests. They conduct various activities and write poems about...
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Introduction to Worm Bin Project
Learners observe the decomposing process of the food chain in a worm bin. They observe whether the type of food fed to worms affect the castings given off during the decomposition process. They learn and practice graphing their findings.
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Building an Ecologically Balanced Living Space
Students design and build an ecologically balanced living space based on the principles of an old growth forest. They take one part of a house (or structure in the community) and redesign it according to the principles of the forest cycle.
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Forest Stewardship
Students go on a nature walk. In this forest stewardship instructional activity, students brainstorm a list of things found in the forest, go on a nature walk and discuss forest stewardship.
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Nutrient Cycling
AP environmental science or college-level ecology classes will glean a tremendous amount of information on nutrient cycles from this detailed PowerPoint. It covers nutrient requirements, biogeochemcial cycles, decomposition rates, and...
NASA
Biology Training Conclusion
Gravity is just one consideration when determining human habitability on a new planet. The lesson plan connects four different units and starts with connecting the various systems: planetary systems, human body systems, etc. After...
NOAA
Ocean Primary Production
A cold seep is an area on the ocean floor where hydrocarbons leak from the earth, creating entire unique biomes. Learners explore cold seeps, photosynthesis in the ocean, and its limitations due to loss of sunlight. They further explore...
Curated OER
Water's Edge Café
Students observe water birds feeding at a local wetland, record what they see, and construct an appropriate menu for a "Waterfowl Cafe." They also play a "flocking" game.
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Kingdom: Fungi
The general characteristics of fungus types are presented here. Your class will love the pictures of the amazing features found on these strange living things. The internal and external structures and their functions are highlighted. By...
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Kingdom: Fungi
The general characteristics that affect classification of fungi and other organisms in the domain Eukarya are detailed for the students on 12 attractive slides. Teachers can access individual slides to cover life cycles or diversity, or...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Leaf Litter Ecology Lab
Some organisms spend their entire lives in leaf litter. The third in a series of six is a great lesson exploring the community of leaf litter. Groups gather and then spread leaf litter over white paper and remove leaves/twigs while...
Curated OER
What Should I Know about Biosphere?
If your class is learning about the biosphere, you may find a study guide or reading guide helpful. Focusing on vocabulary, processes, and interactions, the Word document is easy to edit as needed to fit your needs. Another great option...
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What A Tangled Web We Weave
Learners of many ages discuss how all organisms rely on other organisms for their survival. They construct a food web and energy pyramids, and write an informative essay about the food web that they have designed.
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Marine Debris
Students perform experiments to examine if debris float, or blow in the wind. The effects of these characteristics on the marine debris are then discussed. They determine how a material can influence what becomes marine debris.
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Marine Debris
Now is the time to educate tomorrow's citizens to care for the planet, and here is a lesson to help facilitate the process. Collect some marine debris and bring it into class. Have your class separate it into types and then test each...
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Worms, Nature's Recyclers!
Students study what worms need to survive in different environments. They study how worm composting improves soil and reduce waste. They discuss composting techniques and present a puppet show about a worm's life.
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Seed Dispersal
Students explore seed dispersal by designing their own wind dispersed seed structure. Using one piece of paper and a box fan, they construct a seed dispersal structure, record the distance their seed travels, and answer discussion...
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Field Guide to Schoolyard Insects and Their Relatives
Your entire class works together to create an illustrated insect field guide. The intent is that they venture outside of the classroom, find a critter, and then research it using reference materials, insect books, and the Internet for...
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What Are the Layers of the Rain Forest?
Students investigate the different levels of the rain forest by comparing it to an apartment. In this ecology lesson plan, students practice using forest related vocabulary words and complete a vocabulary data sheet. Students create...
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Historical Harbor Habitats
Tenth graders create food web displays in the classroom. In this ecology instructional activity, 10th graders identify the different pollutants in the environment and their effect on organisms. They collect samples of sediments from the...
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A Constructivist Version of the Snail & Elodea Lab
Students explain the importance of having a control when setting up an experiment.
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Marine Food Web
Students investigate the effects of the food chain on all animals by creating a food web. In this seafood lesson, students discuss energy flow and research a specific marine organism of their choice. Students create a food web in their...