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Creeping and Crawling Observing Mealworms and Earthworms
Fifth graders observe mealworms and earthworms. In this mealworm and earthworm lesson, 5th graders complete an experiment in which they observe the life cycle and living conditions of mealworms and earthworms. They experiment with...
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Alaska the 'Poster State" For Climate Concerns
Students read an article on Alaska and its climate concerns. For this research lesson students create a poster that contrasts Alaska then and now that pertains to climate change.
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Pulp Friction
In this reading comprehension activity, students have 12 minutes to read a text entitled "Pulp Friction" and answer comprehension questions based on the article. Students answer 10 multiple choice questions.
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Skimming Exercise
In this skimming for information instructional activity, students read a passage quickly to find the main ideas. Students have a short period of time to read the passage and complete the questions.
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Frog Olympics
Young scholars explore the attributes of amphibians. In this physical frog biology lesson, students discover facts about the muscles of frogs and then play 2 games that require them to move like frogs.
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The Birth of a Butterfly
Students explore the life cycle of a butterfly. For this butterfly lesson, students visit Internet websites, observe a live butterfly culture, and examine pictures of the stages of the butterfly life cycle in order to independently...
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Rain Garden
Students build rain gardens. In this community service lesson, students study the effectiveness of rain gardens in allowing water to run off. Students build a community rain garden at their school.
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15 Piranhas a Day!
In this global studies learning exercise, students read a 4-paragraph article titled "15 Piranhas a day!" about a trip on the Amazon River. Students respond to 6 multi-step questions about the reading.
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Ecology: Why Are Rice Fields Suitable Habitats for Birds?
Fifth graders discover the uses for rice by reading about the habitats of certain birds. In this agriculture lesson, 5th graders research birds from the Gulf Coast and California and their reasons for living in rice fields. Students...
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Looking for Biodiversity
Students explore habitats and see that there are a variety of plants that can be found and that biodiversity is an important characteristic. In this biodiversity instructional activity students complete an activity that explains how to...
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Sounds of the Wetlands
Students identify the sounds of different bird calls. For this biology lesson, students create a sound map. They explain how this method is important in tracking wildlife.
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Aquatic Life
Students explore aquatic life. In this science lesson plan, students visit an aquatic ecosystem and collect animals found there. Students create a food chain for the aquatic ecosystem.
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Seed Bugs; Stage 2
Learners examine nature by participating in an environmental art activity. For this imaginary creature lesson, students discuss the importance of a habitat when pertaining to wild animals or bugs. Learners utilize tree parts which they...
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Wump World
Second graders read ead the book The Wump World written and illustrated by Bill Peet. Discuss with the students how air pollution can make your eyes water and cause shortness of breath. Students discuss air pollution and give the...
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Investigating Animals in Water
Students observe small animal activity. They identify local water animals and describe the habitats where water animals can be found. Students collect samples to observe in the classroom.
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Bringing Illinois into the Curriculum
Students of all ages are introduced to the geography of Illinois. Depending on the grade level, they participate in different activities which allow them to discover Illinois in the past and present. They examine the animals and...
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Odyssey of Life, Part II-The Unknown World
Students complete an experiment in which they observe different natural sample in which they uncover the microbial world. They complete a two part worksheet that accompanies the lesson.
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Design a Pollinator
Students make a scientific drawing of a pollinator with at least five traits that make them well adapted to a given plant(s). They describe in their science notebook the adaptations that make their pollinator well suited to a given plant.
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WEEDS ON THE WINDOWSILL
Discuss the suffix "cide." Have students name words having this suffix (homicide, suicide, genocide). Ask students what all these words have in common. Then ask students to define the word "pesticide." (Pesticides control organisms that...
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Caterpillar Camouflage
Students list animals, plant parts, and reasons for caterpillars to camouflage themselves. In this animal and plant adaptations lesson plan, students also play a game where they use colors as camouflage.
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The Lepidoptera Project
Pupils are introduced to Scientific Inquiry and discover how to design an experiment that answers critical questions using butterflies as the topic. They design experiments that compare the number of species of butterflies in a vacant,...
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Ecosystems
Third graders identify and define an Ecosystem and the basic needs of all animals. They collect pond water in a pickle jar. They observe the organisms that are in the jar to keep an ongoing record of the creatures and their population.
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Types of Legs
Students identify the characteristics of the legs of arthropods as well as how they are used. They compare and contrast the legs of various types of bugs in the arthropod family. A comparison worksheet is included in with this lesson.
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Water Quality Monitoring
Pupils comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...