Curated OER
Backyard Wildlife Conservation
Students survey local wildlife. They distinguish between permanent and migrating or seasonal species. Students identify species and describe the ecological niche. Students research the food chain and food web for the backyard...
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Marvelous Manatees
Two groups consider whether or not the Florida manatee will become extinct during their lifetimes. They research manatee populations and statistics together and then a class debate is held. Afterwards they consider how reliable...
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Make a Zoo
In this unit students work in groups to find out about an endangered animal species. They design a zoo enclosure for the animal and build a scale model. Together the class constructs a zoo! In the process of planning and building the zoo...
Safe Routes to School
Pollution & Evolution
Bring together a study of two major scientific topics with a lesson on the relationship between pollution and evolution. With the help of a PowerPoint presentation, hands-on activity. and class demonstration young scientists learn...
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An Alien Has Landed
Students identify animals within a species by using their observation skills to record information, such as behavioral characteristics.
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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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African Wildlife
Students investigate the wildlife of Africa. In this animal science lesson, students view the video "National Geographic's African Wildlife" and visit websites to research additional information on the wildlife of Africa. Students...
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Raising Rhino Awareness
Students create a poster that promotes awareness about endangered animals. In this biology lesson plan, students explain the impact of rhinoceros poaching. They create a poem about them and present it in class.
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Animal Characteristics
Students investigate the characteristics of animals by creating a chart. In this animal life lesson, students create a KWL chart listing all the different animals a class can name. Students take a field trip to a science facility to get...
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Who's in Charge of This Animal?
Eleventh graders study wildlife management and identify the appropriate government agencies that are in charge. They examine different wildlife management techniques. They write a letter showing interest in the activities of one of the...
Desert Discoveries
Conservation Cartoons
Learners read and create cartoons that are based on endangered and threatened species. The activity is packed with terrific student handouts, including some very good cartoons that are based on conservation and animal issues. The...
Curated OER
State of the Planet's Wildlife
Students view and discuss a video about the challenges facing wildlife on the planet Earth. They define key terms, watch the video, and answer discussion questions about the film.
Curriculum Corner
May Writing Ideas
From Cinco de Mayo to Endangered Species day to National Hamburger Month, May is full of ideas to write about. Give young writers prompts that have everything to do with the month of May. Topics include writing a story, conducting...
American Museum of Natural History
DNA Detective
DNA is like the fingerprint of genetics. A quick lesson introduces the topic of DNA sequences with a mystery about an endangered species. The lesson shows how DNA extraction, replication, and sequencing often provide undeniable evidence...
Channel Islands Film
Natural Resources, and Human Uses of Plants and Animals
As part of their study of the restoration projects on Santa Cruz Island, class members demonstrate their understanding of the connections among plant life, animals, and the actions of humans by crafting a model that reveals these...
Curated OER
Waltz Across Texas
Seventh graders conduct research about regions of Texas by using the web. They research an endangered plant AND an endangered animal that is found in their region. Students prepare and deliver oral reports about their region.
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Getting to Know All About You
Students learn each other's name and at the same time become familiar with the name of an endangered species. Without the student watching, their name and the name of an endangered species is placed on their back with tape. Students go...
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Endagered Species
Learners access the Internet. They research information about endangered animals. They share the information with the class by using Kid Pix to create a slideshow.
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Rainforest Animals
Third graders make a presentation or a booklet to help class learn about rain forest animals. They sketch or use a few words to describe the picture that goes with the facts. They use the computer to make a presentation or use...
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Adopt-An-Insect III
In this biology worksheet, students search through the links provided on insects to identify the order to which each insect belongs. Then they write the characteristics that distinguish insects from other arthropods. Students also select...
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Mad About Madagascar
Students read/discuss "On Madagascar, A Treasury of Fauna and Flora," examining the issues affecting the biodiversity of Madagascar. They present information on issues affecting Madagascar's ecology, and write policy statements on...
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Feral Cats
In this geography learning exercise, learners identify the feral cats of Australia. They read an excerpt and respond to the three questions that follow. Students also imagine that they are a part of scientific team that has been set up...
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Food for Thought
Learners understand the importance of each member of a food chain through a game. In this food chains lesson, students receive background information and then play a game to simulate what happens in the food chain of an endangered...
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How Animals Bond
In this animals lesson plan, students students write a description about a pet or animal that they know. They include details that would help someone who has never met their animal feel like they know it already. Artwork about their...