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Water Purification
Students use the example of natural water purification to show that healthy ecosystems provide services to people that are essential to life as we know it.
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Environmental Interdependence (Environmental Awareness)
Whether introducing a study of environment awareness or preparing your classes for a performance task related to environmental interdependence, you will find this resource useful. Key terms and concepts are introduced so that all...
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Let's Create an Ecosystem
Seventh graders discover how an ecosystem works by creating one in class. For this Earth science lesson, 7th graders study vocabulary terms associated with ecosystem and read environment handouts. Students create an...
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Let's Create An Ecosystem
Seventh graders create ecosystems in a jar which they observe over the course of the school year.
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Michigan Ecosystems: The Web They Weave
Young scholars examine the forest ecosystem and how all life in the forest depends upon itself. In this ecological lesson, students participate in a personal connections activity where someone pulls on a string and everyone feels...
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Does the Introduction of Pesticides and Fertilizers Alter an Aquatic Ecosystem?
Students conduct an experiment using a small sample from a local water source. They introduce fertilizers and pesticides, separately, and carefully examine the results in their simulated aquatic ecosystem.
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Biomes: Adapting To Deserts & Other Ecosystems
Students examine how animals must be adapted to the conditions of its environment to survive. In this biomes instructional activity students research desert adaptations then discuss how these animals have survived.
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Ecosystem Terms
In this ecosystem terms quiz worksheet, students complete an on-line quiz, clicking on questions and matching answers, scoring 1 point for each correct answer. A printed version is available.
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Ecosystem Quiz
In this ecosystem quiz worksheet, students complete an on-line quiz, clicking on questions and matching answers, scoring 1 point for each correct answer. A printed version is available.
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Chihauhan Desert Journaling Activity
Middle schoolers explore U.S. geography by completing an observational activity with classmates. For this New Mexico lesson, students research the Chihuahuan Desert by visiting several Internet sites. Middle schoolers write the data...
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Native Species Restoration and its Impact on Local Populations
Young scholars explore how predators help control the growth of prey species for a more balanced ecosystem.
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Alien Invaders: An Invasive Species Game
Students are introduced to invasive species and how they affect the ecosystems they now occur in. They explore the basic life histories of several invasive species that are of regional and or national importance. Pupils investigate how...
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Strands Walk-An Ecological Obseravtion
In this ecosystem instructional activity, students investigate an ecosystem at a local park or national forest, they make observations for five minutes, they complete a grid of their observations and they construct a hypothetical food...
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Forest In A Jar
Tenth graders are introduced to the process of succession and gain awareness of the changing nature of ecosystems. They demonstrate a comprehension of the dynamic nature of ecosystems, including the relationship between ecological...
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Web of Life
Students construct a web of life. In this ecosystem activity students are introduced to ecosystems and life cycles. Insects are the main focus.
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Visualizing Succession
Ecosystem change is easier to understand when you use hands-on activities.
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Food Webs
Students identify predator/prey relationships based on the food web of the tropical rain forest ecosystem and realize they need a food web for survival. In this food web lesson plan, students complete a role play activity being animals...
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Shark Attack Odds and the Importance of Sharks
Students examine an ecosystem. In this food web lesson, students discover the importance of sharks and what threat sharks actually pose to humans. They participate in class discussions and work independently on a couple of different...
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Investigation 9 - Bird Study
Fourth graders examine specific bird characteristics and become more aware of the ecosystems that support each bird. They engage in bird walks, mapping the areas where they find evidence of bird activity.
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Polluting the Environment
Fourth graders construct mini-ecosystem, pollute the ecosystem, observe, collect, and record data on the effects of these pollutants on their ecosystem, organize data on spreadsheets, create graphs, and design presentations to share with...
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Etosha: Poppin' Out at You
Tenth graders research an African animal of their choice and relate the concepts of population, climate and biodiversity to their animal. They examine how population interacts in an ecosystem.
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference
Students choose a current environmental issue and research historical conditions as well as present conditions. They assess
the changes in ecosystems, populations of specific species, air quality, or any other aspect of an ecosystem.
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What is an Ahupua'a?
Students research ahupua'a ecosystems. In this ahupua'a lesson, students explore how land is subdivided in Hawaii and the effect on the ecosystem. Resources are provided.
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FOREST GRUMP: Examining How Deforestation Affects Plants and Animals of the Canadian Boreal
Students consider definition of an ecosystem as it relates to the Canadian boreal, discover how deforestation affects this forest and recreate ecosystems. They write persuasive letters urging politicians or business people to help save...