Curated OER
Trout across America
Learners research trout and salmon and create a report. In this trout and salmon lesson plan, students research where trout live in the United States, fill out a graphic organizer, and create a report on their findings.
Curated OER
Alien Invasion
Students research how alien species can change an ecosystem. In this coral reef lesson, students describe invasive species and site evidence how these species came to be invasive and what control measures are possible.
Curated OER
Ecosystem Food Web Mural
Learners create a food web mural about an ecosystem of the freshwater marsh. For this food web lesson plan, students write about the organisms and how each one depends on another.
Curated OER
Are Polymers Photodegradable?
Students study the term photodegradability and how it applies to the 6-pack loop ring. In this materials lesson plan students test photodegradability of the 6-pack plastic ring.
Curated OER
The Recycle Alphabet
First graders recognize words associated with recycling. In this environmental lesson, 1st graders go through the alphabet and think of words associated with recycling that start with a letter. Students create a recycling ABC book.
Curated OER
Prairie Math
Students work together to build models of prairie plants. Using the model, they estimate the height and then measure them using metric and standard units. They write a fraction to represent their part of the whole set and compare and...
Curated OER
How Electronics Come to Us: Distribution and Use
Young scholars identify environmental challenges that can be solved throughout a product's life cycle. They experiment and examine how we can choose and use products in an environmentally responsible manner. Each student is also involved...
Curated OER
Comparing and Contrasting Ancient Civilizations
Students research the ancient civilizations of Rome, India, Greece, and Egypt. They conduct Internet research, compare/contrast aspects of each culture, and create a Powerpoint presentation.
Curated OER
Trappers Then and Now
Students study how trapping in the Illinois Territory in the 1800's effected the beaver population in the state. They compare methods, rules and regulations of the 1800s to those of today. In groups, they research a variety of...
Curated OER
Toothpicks and Timber
Learners problem-solve how to log five acres. Working in pairs, they construct models of logging sites before and after the trees are harvested. they paint their models and include other environmental details.
Curated OER
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Second graders watch a video about Eric Carle before listening to his story entitled, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They notice how the caterpillar eats its way through the days of the week and they examine the life cycle of the...
Curated OER
The Web of Life
Students describe the importance of having a balance ecosystem. After a brief lecture, students give an explanation of the properties of an ecosystem. They create a web, using yarn which shows how the various members of the ecosystem are...
Curated OER
The Very Clumsy Click Beetle
Second graders determine what it means to be clumsy before listening to Eric Carle's, The Very Clumsy Click Beetle. They examine the part where the click beetle does flips before drawing three frames that show the beetle flipping. For...
Curated OER
Bringing Forestry into the Classroom
Here are ways to incorporate science, math, and language arts while learning more about the forests that sustain us.
Curated OER
Who Lives Here?
Students identify various aquatic wildlife species. In this biology lesson students collect clues about animals that live in wetland habitats. Students rotate through several stations displaying particular animal species to collect their...
Curated OER
Sound Busters
Fourth graders engage in a study of sound pollution at their school. After a class discussion on what noise pollution is, learners are asked if they think there are areas of their school or community where noise pollution is a problem....