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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Habitats

For Teachers 1st
Students analyze the difference between the human habitat and the different habitats of animals in the six lessons of this unit. The students' imaginations and literature are used to explore important aspects of the living environments...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals Around Us

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars view and discuss a Discovery Channel video that compares the animals found in four different habitats. They compare and contrast the characteristics of forests, deserts, wetlands and grasslands then choose one to depict...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing Hot and Cold

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read about homeothermy. Through research and poster projects, they gain insight into the diversity among mammals and the ways specific mammals survive in their native climates.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals: Gila Monsters

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students research sites about Gila monsters. They explore the physical characteristics and defense mechanisms that help Gila monsters survive in the desert. Includes photographs and a diagram.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Biome Detective Sheet

For Students 4th - 8th
In this biomes worksheet, students research the plant and animal life found in different habitats. This worksheet has 38 short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Terrestrial Communities

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students watch a video about different terrestrial communities. They conduct an experiment with sponges conserving water. They research desert characteristics comparing them with other biomes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jumanji

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read the book, Jumangi. Then they divide into groups of four or five and choose a habitat - desert, wetlands, Arctic/Antarctic, etc. Then each group can research the habitat to learn what kind of animals live there.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecology - Ecosystem

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research ecosystems, the work of ecologists, John Muir's contribution to the environment and an endangered species of their choice. They read books, participate in discussions, and write reports.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

N.A.M.I.B. (Namib Animal Mobile of Interesting Birds)

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students investigate the birds of the Namib Desert. They watch and discuss a video, and color and construct a bird mobile of the various birds that live in the Namib Desert.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Turtle Fun Facts

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this turtles worksheet, students read two pages of facts about turtles. Students match four kinds of turtle pictures to their habitats.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Your Favorite Wild Animal

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this research skills learning exercise, learners select a wild animal and then respond to 5 short answer questions regarding it. In addition, students draw a picture of it and define 6 habitat terms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forests, Deserts, & Grasslands

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders complete activities to become familiar with the content and vocabulary related to biomes and ecosystems in order to mainstream into the classroom.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invent a Critter

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students create a living animal that could survive in at least one specific region and use the digital desert library to gather information. In this invent a critter lesson, students draw a picture of their animal,  describe their animal...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Her-bariums Galore!

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students collect and identify plant species and construct herbariums both at school and at home. By gathering data from both locales, they draw conclusions and make predictions about plant diversity. Upon completion of the exercises,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Specialized for the Sea

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students use pictures and make a mural to investigate how ocean animals are adapted to certain parts of their environment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Explorers

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate how plants take in water, nutrients, and light. They create artwork showing how plants survive in different environments.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wildlife

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
The centerpiece of this lesson plan is a predator-prey simulation in which colored paperclips represent different species of animals camouflaged against a colored background. Relevant follow-up questions are provided. The activity is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prairie Plant Investigation

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students carefully observe prairie plants and record their observations in a science journal. They examine the root systems of grasses and flowers and surmise how these plants can grow together on the prairie.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Animal Habitat Bar Graph

For Students 2nd - 3rd
For this graphing worksheet, students examine a prepared bar graph and record which habitat their chosen animal lives in: desert, city, forest, ocean, prairie, or fresh water. There are no directions but it appears that a class could use...
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Lesson Plan
Aquarium of the Pacific

Ecosystem Comparison

For Teachers 4th
Fifth graders examine plants and animals in two ecosystems and compare them. In this ecosystem survival lesson, 5th graders compare and contrast a coral reef and kelp forest ecosystem. Students investigate the abiotic and biotic factors...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Great Horned Owl

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this recognizing facts about the Great Horned Owl worksheet, students read fun facts, match illustrations with adaptations, sequence life cycle cards, and read what to do if they find an injured bird. Students solve 16 answers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep Blue Sea

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars explore animals, plants, and their habitats.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

For Creative Minds: Mountain Ecosystems

For Students 5th - 6th
In this mountain ecosystems worksheet, learners read information about mountain ecosystems and study various diagrams about the environment. Students match animals in the ecosystem to their descriptions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Rain Stick

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a rain stick to imitate the nature sounds in a rainforest habitat. In this rainforest habitat lesson, students create a rain stick to mimic the cultural tools used in the South American rainforest. Students use paper...