Lesson Plan
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Seeds and Similarities

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the scientific inquiry method to identify the changes in a plant's life cycle. In groups, they plant different types of plants and use a chart to compare and contrast their growth rates. They share their conclusions with...
Lesson Plan
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Bird Stories: Fact or Fiction

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars evaluate/distinguish scientific fact from fiction. They discuss similarities and differences in the life cycles of various birds. Student use the Internet as a research tool.
Lesson Plan
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Teaching Biology Through Problem-based Activities

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars plant seeds and observe the life cycle of the organism. They experimentally research the effects of radiation on seed growth. Students determine the effects of environmental pollutants on harvested seed.
Lesson Plan
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The Tiny Seed Lesson Plan Guide

For Teachers K - 1st
Not only is this lesson about story retell, main events, and making predictions, it's also about plants. Youngsters will read the tale, The Tiny Seed as they explore the plant life cycle and early literacy skills. The lesson is very...
Lesson Plan
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Friends on the Farm

For Teachers 1st
Young farmers explore the world of farm animals. They are introduced to a variety of animals, what their role is, how many legs they have, and what sounds they make. Worksheets and websites embedded in the plan are used to carry it out....
Lesson Plan
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Growing a Native American "Three Sisters" Garden

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore plant life by creating their own gardens in class. In this food growing lesson, students discuss the types of gardening methods Native Americans used in order to keep healthy. Students plant corn seeds in their school...
Lesson Plan
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Can't Wait - Gotta Migrate:The Monarch Butterfly

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the migratory behavior of the monarch butterfly and to carefully develop a scientific method for answering one question concerning their behavior. They perform many meaningful tasks which help them explain the Monarch...
Lesson Plan
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School Forest

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the concept of biodiversity.  For this biodiversity lesson, 6th graders discover a variety of planets and animals that live in forests, and how a rotting log benefits that environment.  Students also...
Lesson Plan
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Bacteria: Friend or Foe?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine a variety of environmental and industrial roles of bacteria. explore where bacteria can be found and distinguish bacteria from other organisms.
Lesson Plan
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How Much Is an Ecosystem Worth?

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Students examine the value of ecosystems. They read and analyze an article, evaluate ecosystem services, research the benefits of biomonitors, and design a public service announcement.
Lesson Plan
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Butterfly

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use a purchased kit to explore the characteristics and life cycles of several butterflies including the Monarch, Western Swallowtail, Red Admiral and Painted Lady. They create a plaster casting of each species for study and...
Lesson Plan
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Inside the Egg, Hatching Chickens

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students conduct an egg candling activity to show the life inside a fertile egg. Students discuss the needs the egg has of the hen, as well as similarities and differences between plants and animals. Students complete a life cycle wheel...
Lesson Plan
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Getting a Handle on Your Bee

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers observe dried bees, carefully glue them to toothpicks, and use them for cross pollinating their Brassica plants. They also describe reasons why two similar investigations can produce different results. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
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Powerful Potato

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students are introduced to the growth process of a potato. As a class, they place a potato on a plate and observe how long it takes for the eyes to appear. In groups, they follow a recipe to make potato soup that is shared with the...
Lesson Plan
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How Does Your Garden Grow?

For Teachers K - 4th
Students discover gardening by documenting plants grown on school grounds.  In this botany activity, students utilize digital cameras to capture images of plants on photo hikes which are turned into a slide show.  Students...
Lesson Plan
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Costa Rican Food Chain

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Discuss the animals and plants in the rainforest food chain using this lesson. Learners talk about and do research on the top predators from the Costa Rican region and create a model of one of them in class. They also make a visual model...
Lesson Plan
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City Wildlife in a Vase

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine a still-life painting. They discuss the observation of nature by scientists and artists and explore the symbolism of biological life cycles depicted in a painting.
Lesson Plan
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Plant Growth

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate how seeds are moved and how plants grow.  In this plant growth lesson, 1st graders listen to stories, play a game, and view a PowerPoint about plant growth. Students examine various seeds and recognize how...
Organizer
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Swimming With the Crabs!

For Students 6th - 9th
In this environmental science worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer (Frayer model) on blue crabs. They write an article using the given facts.
Lesson Plan
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The Angiosperms

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study angiosperms and their classifications.  In this investigative lesson students compare the sexual reproduction of angiosperms and seed formations. 
Lesson Plan
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Habitats

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate the habitats of living things and the cycle of the food chain. In this scientific inquiry online lesson plan, students examine the habitats of plants and animals as well as the food chain as they sort pictures of...
Lesson Plan
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Observing Pods

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers observe the pistil growing into a tiny string bean-like seed pod. They then observe the development of the fertilized pods between Day 17 and Day 35 and record their observations by drawing and labeling, writing, and...
Worksheet
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Diamond Terrapin Fun Facts

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this animal learning exercise, students complete 6 pages of activities and exercises pertaining to the diamondback terrapin. Students read about the life cycle, study habitat maps and color and cut out a three dimensional turtle.
Lesson Plan
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Succession in the Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate their environment by growing plants in class.  In this botany lesson, students discuss the lifespan of plants and animals and how they must be cared for continuously over time.  Students grow a plant in...