Curated OER
Science: Microcosms in the Biosphere
In a series of lessons, examine the impact on humans by microcosms in the biosphere. Among the plans structured for students with different abilities and learning styles, are activities describing the symbiotic relationship, drawing the...
Curated OER
AMPHIBIAN RESPIRATION
Learners describe the structural differences in the respiratory systems of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates and explain the motivation for these structural adaptations in reference to the differences in habitat.
Curated OER
The Wonderful World of Slugs
Examine a slug? Of course, what else would a 2nd grader do with it? Pupils use clues and go on a slug hunt, read a slug story, or make a cooperative group mural of a slug's habitat. While older learners catalog slugs, go on a slug hunt,...
Curated OER
Endangered Spaces = Endangered Species!
Sixth graders discuss the crowding, loss of personal space, loss of home, loss of food, etc. that might occur at a developmental site. They witness, through an in-class demonstration, what happens when land is taken for development. They...
Curated OER
Why is a salt marsh important?
Middle schoolers discuss the salt marsh. They define the following terms: habitat, water, land and air. Students work in small groups. They are asked why are they going to a salt marsh? Middle schoolers discuss whose habitat is it at...
Curated OER
The Living Environment
Students investigate animals and their environments. For this animal similarities and differences lesson, students explore animal adaptations and features and their habitats. Students get into groups to discuss the habitat and how the...
Curated OER
Monk Seal Research Expedition
Students study data. In this seal research lesson, students act as scientific researchers observing Monk seals in their habitat. They work in small groups to record data from a video and when through they share a piece of information...
Curated OER
Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats
Second graders construct a pond habitat in the classroom using a small swimming pool partially filled with water, real cattails, a tree log adjoining, and plastic animal life appropriate to a pond setting. They examine the frog in detail...
Curated OER
Reclamation
Students recognize the importance of reclaiming the land after mining. They observe the experiment demonstrating the process of erosion and record their results of the effects of rain upon the land.
Curated OER
Rock-a-bye Babies in a Wetland
Students review the way human babies grow and what type of care they need. Using the internet, they are introduced to five different wetland habitat animals and how their babies grow. They discover how they are born and what the...
Curated OER
Reef Fish Real Estate in the South Atlantic Bight
Students research a species of reef fish to determine its habitat requirements as both a juvenile and an adult. They use this information to create a pamphlet in the style of a real estate brochure that describe the habitat and food...
Curated OER
Native vs. Non-native Species: Who Will Win?
Students examine non-native species and the problems they have caused in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. They create a "Wanted" poster for one of the species. They describe the effects of non-native species on the schoolyard species.
Curated OER
Mangrove Ecology & Adaptations
Learners creat a plant, animal, or other living organism that would be well adapted to a habitat that they previously selected. First they learn about adaptations of Mangroves.
Curated OER
Why Do Geese Fly South For the Winter?
Fifth graders examine migration by tracing animal migration routes on a map. In this animal life instructional activity, 5th graders observe a map of North America and read about the migration patterns of geese. Students trace the path...
Curated OER
Mussel Anatomy Lesson Plan
Students identify the parts and functions of a mussel. They explain how its physical adaptations help it survive in its habitat. They label the parts as a quiz to complete the instructional activity.
Curated OER
Animal Habitats Cut and Paste
In this animal homes worksheet, students cut out 6 pictures of animals and paste them under the appropriate habitat: water or land.
Curated OER
Is Urban Sprawl Causing Us To Lose More Than Ground?
Students map the changes that occur in the land as a result of urban sprawl. They explore the problems that paving and building have on the watershed and the habitats on the Northshore.
Curated OER
Taxonomy
Young scholars work together to identify groups of endangered animals. Using a pamphlet, they group the pictures according to specific criteria and cut the pictures out and color them. They place the animals in the correct habitat and...
Curated OER
Biosphere
Students examine the basic biosphere and its components. In this ecology lesson students complete several experiments including designing a system that is balanced to sustain life.
Curated OER
Desert Tortoise Tale
Students listen to a reading of the "Desert Tortoise Tale" and complete a maze that highlights the different threats the baby tortoise faces along the way. They discuss the reasons the Desert Tortoise is becoming endangered.
Curated OER
Estuaries, Estuarine Habitats, and Adaptations
Students conduct research on estuaries. They design and construct an estuary, describe the physical characteristics of an estuary, and create a diagram illustrating an estuarine food web.
Curated OER
Animal Movements
Students discuss the behavior of different animals and how they move. They explore the ways that this helps them live and find food in their environment. They participate in a game that requires them to mimic the ways in which animals move.
Curated OER
Turning the Tide on Trash: Marine Debris Curriculum
Seven pages of fascinating reading on marine debris preface the activities in this lesson plan. Four different activities are employed to simulate how the debris is distributed in the ocean and along beaches. Early ecology learners...
Curated OER
Oceanography
Second graders identify saltwater and freshwater habitats and the resources found in them. They compare and contrast the two habitats and discuss their findings. They discover the resources bodies of water can provide.