Curated OER
Extracting DNA
Students explore DNA, genes, chromosomes and the chemicals that make up DNA. They research Internet resources to develop their knowledge of DNA. They conduct an experiment to separate DNA from peas and create a poster that they can use...
Curated OER
Shadow Chasing
First graders observe and measure their shadows. They go outside at three hour increments during the course of a day. Each time students measure and record the length of their shadows. Students read books about shadows and discuss why...
Curated OER
Grouping Dinosaurs
Students investigate sets and subsets as they group coins and dinosaurs. Using scissors and provided sheet, they sort dinosaurs according to their commonalities. Their groupings are shared with the class.
Curated OER
Gone Fishin'
Students explore fishing and the food web. They simulate the role of fisherman using candy as fish and use provided materials to create a fishing device. Afterward, they complete data tables to organize the day's catch and report the...
Curated OER
Skates
Students gain understanding of structure, characteristics, and basic needs of living things and their role in world, identify parts of skate, observe details of skate's body and skate egg case, and identify unique characteristics of skates.
Curated OER
Amusing Animal Adaptations
Young scholars identify how animals adapt characteristics to help them survive or reproduce. In this animal lesson, students draw pictures of their animal and adaptation.
Curated OER
Here's an Instant Activity for November 5, 2007
Students improve their spelling skills by completing activities for homophones, antonyms, and synonyms. Students complete a spelling worksheet for 'ie' and 'ei' words. Students then identify 12 homophones, 12 antonyms, and 12 synonyms.
Curated OER
Death of the Dinosaur
Students consider theories of dinosaur extinction. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read an article about dinosaur extinction theories. Students may also complete the suggested activities. The article is not included.
Curated OER
Welcome to Populations!
Students define what population is in their own words. In this biology lesson plan, students explain different ways to measure population density. They interpret population graphs.
Curated OER
Cell Repair and Cell Cycle
Seventh graders explore the cell cycle. They view pictures of different stages of mitosis and explain why cells reproduce. They identify the five phases of mitosis: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
University of Florida
Florida Museum: South Florida Aquatic Environments: Introduced Species
The transport of living plants and animals to areas beyond their native range has been practiced by human beings for thousands of years. While some introductions are intentional, others occur by accident or happenstance. Regardless of...
Columbia University
Columbia University: Introduced Species Summary Project
The purpose of this website is to provide information that would help a natural resources manager or concerned citizen to understand the basic biology of a non-native species and whether and how to respond to its arrival. Most of the...
PBS
Pbs Nova: Deep Sea Invasion: Battling Introduced Wildlife
Many species that have been introduced for the purpose of dealing with a problem such as erosion or a rat epidemic, instead become invasive. How can these invasive species be eradicated? Eminent ecologist Dan Simberloff explains some of...
Globio
Glossopedia: Species
A species is defined as a single kind of animal, plant or creature. Examples of different species are given and how the many species that exist relate to biodiversity. Scientific naming conventions are introduced.
Read Works
Read Works: The Origin of Species
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about problems created when nonnative species become invasive. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet: Biological Roulette: Alien Species
Click on the roulette wheel and see how some alien species were introduced into the United States and the effect they have had on our country. This is part of an archived Smithsonian exhibit.
Other
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force: Habitattitude
Dedicated to aquatic resource conservation, this task force addresses the expansion of harmful plants, fish, and other animals and invasive species
Ducksters
Ducksters: Endangered Animals for Kids: How They Become Extinct
How do endangered species and animals become extinct? Hunting, pollution, loss of habitat, and introduced species all play a part and are discussed on this site.
Bagheera
Bagheera: Short Tailed Albatross
This site highlights the short-tailed albatross as a vanishing species. Content includes a focus on its habitat, history, causes of endangerment, and current conservation actions designed to help save it from extinction.
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Teacher Resources: Identifying Alien Invaders
In this lesson, students will identify native and exotic plant and animal species through observation and research, and identify the effects of introduced species on ecosystems.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Attack of the Killer Algae
As benign as it may look up close, the tiny seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia can wreak quite a bit of havoc on coastal ecosystems. This super algae is very adaptable; it also grows fast and spreads easily. Eric Noel Munoz gives the details of...
PBS
Pbs: Nature: Hawaii's Vulnerable Biodiversity
Because of Hawaii's isolation, endemic species evolved in their own unique way. With the arrival of foreigners and colonization, new species were introduced to the islands. The result being a crisis within the Hawaiian ecosystem,...
Globio
Glossopedia: Giant Panda
Giant Pandas only live in the mountains of southwest China. This article focuses on Giant Panda habitat, diet, life cycle and reproduction. Extensive information is given on panda babies and the contrast between life in the wild and life...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Learning the Causes of Extinction
There are five major causes of extinction: habitat loss, an introduced species, pollution, population growth, and overconsumption. Through this activity, students will create a list of reasons why animals can become extinct.