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Is It Slimy? Does It Have Fur? Is It Really a Bird?
Sixth graders identify the different types of vertebrate animals based upon their major characteristics, as they create collages in groups. Collages show pictures of vertebrate animals labeled with the appropriate structural...
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Keeping our Water Clean
Second graders discuss how our actions impact the quality of water. In this environmental science instructional activity, 2nd graders watch a short film and discuss the problem of polluted water. Students are then divided into groups and...
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DNA-B-C's
Young scholars review what they already know about DNA. After reading an article, they discover a new technique to map the course of evolution. In groups, they create ways to present this material to younger children and research DNA's...
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Frog and Toad Are Confusing
Third graders are introduced to the similiarties and differences between a frog and a toad. In groups, they compare and contrast them and identify distinguishing characteristics of each. They watch a video on the animals and answer...
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Making Molecules
In this making molecules worksheet, learners complete a table of elements with their symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, number of protons, number of electrons, period and group. Students then make models using pipe cleaners and beads of...
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Let's Build a Worm Bin
Students explore the process of decomposition. In this ecology and measurement lesson, students prepare a worm home to be used for vermicomposting. Students weigh a group of worms and the added food, recording this information on a data...
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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. In this wetlands lesson, 5th graders research the interdependence of organisms in a healthy habitat. Students collected samples...
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Seeds! What is Inside; How does it Grow and Why is it Important?
Students discover the importance of seeds in relationship to nature. In this plant growth lesson plan, students create a collection of seeds and discover the best type of environment to plant them. Students plant their own wheat seeds...
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Meiosis
Using yarn and chenille stems, lab groups collaborate to model mitosis and meiosis. Brief background information and a vaguely written procedure comprise this outline. More instruction needs to be provided to learners about cell division...
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Renewable Energy Sources
Place learners into groups to research and present different renewable energy sources. As individuals listen to the class presentations, they take notes and then write a persuasive article defending the form of energy that they feel...
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What Do Pets Need?
Students identify the needs that all humans and animals have. In groups, they play a game to discover the proper way to take care of pets. To end the lesson, they develop a plan to best take care of their pets at home and view pictures...
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Plants
Sixth graders examine how plants collect water and breathe. In groups, they participate in a variety of activities in which they discover how plants operate in terrariums. To end the lesson, they discuss why plants are important to the...
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Summer Scientists
In this lesson, learners discuss and reocrd what makes an object living or nonliving. The students then chart the lists of living and nonliving objects. Teacher allows learners oportunity to go outside and look for living and ninliving...
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The Rock Cycle
Third graders, in groups, examine soil samples with magnifying glasses. They discuss the living and non-living things they find in their soild samples.
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Enhancing Social Skills and Vocabulary through Photography
Students in a special education classroom identify pictures of various living things. In groups, they role-play different roles to help them with their social and communication skills. To end the lesson, they take pictures of different...
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Variation
Students practice sorting living things into groups using their characteristics. Using pictures of leaves and animals, they sort them based on their color and shape and write the objects characteristics under the picture. They share...
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The Five Kingdoms
Fifth graders present research and information about the five kingdoms of living things using PowerPoint. They work in small groups in order to create a slideshow of 6 slides to present to the class. They give peer evaluations of the...
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Variation
Learners participate in an online lesson to reinforce the similarities and differences in plants and animals. They classify living things according to observable characteristics.
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Micro-organisms
Students examine how micro-organisms are living organisms that are often too small to be seen. They explain that micro-organisms may be beneficial or harmful.
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Classifying Candy III
Students create a classification tree based on grouping candy with eight different properties. This allows students to understand how living things are classified.
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Endangered Species
Students research the issue of species endangerment by exploring threatened animals, their habitats, and the environmental challenges associated with them. They explore the relationships between living things and their environment....
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The Atrazine Dilemma
Young scholars understand how farming practices and the topography of a region can effect the health and safety of all living things. Students play a game which helps them understand how the chemical Azatrine has spread in the watershed.
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Incredible Seeds
Second graders are given a group of seeds and put in small groups. They classify their seeds based on their observations with 90% accuracy. Students draw a picture of each seed showing at least 2 characteristics of each. They write 1...
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Living History: Documenting Our Senior Citizens Lives
Students investigate stereotypes by researching the elderly. In this senior citizen lesson, students interview elders in a rest home and video tape their experience. Students present their videos to their interview subjects after and...