Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of the Deep

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students observe, describe, and record characteristics of ocean animals (mammals and fish) and sea shells. They conduct an experiment comparing and contrasting sugar water, salt water and fresh water and create a mural of coral reef...
Lesson Plan
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The Voyage of the Beagle and Darwin's Observations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students become familiar with the main events of Darwin's voyage. They comprehend the importance of geographic distribution and geographic isolation on the formation of a new species. Students analyze how living things can change over a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Winogradsky in a Bottle: Beginning a Winogradsky Column

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use their measurement skills by marking a bottle for construction purposes. They record qualitative and quantitative data and analyze their results. Students demonstrate evaluation of a small scale systems as a model for the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Animals Depend Upon One Another

For Teachers 1st
First graders study plants and animals and how they depend on one another. They also study that plants give energy to animals and provide oxygen needed for life. Finally, 1st graders give examples of the roles plants and animals play...
Lesson Plan
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Ecosystems: Biotic and Abiotic Factors

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine proper journaling techniques, and record observations about at tree after listening to a read aloud of "Four Worlds: The Dine Story of Creation." They study the difference between living and non-living things, and...
Lesson Plan
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Life in Space: International Space Station

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the potential challenges of living in space.  In this investigative lesson students search the Internet to locate 16 nations that are working together to build the Independent Space Station, then they divide into...
Lesson Plan
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What Does it Take to be a Survivor: Part 2

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore adaptation by completing worksheets. In this fish anatomy lesson, students identify the different survival strategies fish utilize to live in the ocean and the adaptation their bodies have gone through over millions of...
Lesson Plan
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Design a Space Station

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate living in space. In this science instructional activity, 6th graders discuss what it is like to live in space and create their own space station or space city of the future.
Lesson Plan
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Animal Diversity

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore biology by completing science worksheets in class. In this animal anatomy lesson, students read the book The Adventures of Marco and Polo and identify the animals mentioned in it. Students examine a real life animal and...
Lesson Plan
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Nature and Nurture

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars look into the role both nature and nurture play in determining an individual's traits. They examine how genes and the environment affect personality
Lesson Plan
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Evolution of Sea Creatures

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify and describe the mechanisms of natural selection. They study Cambrian Period animals and discuss adaptations for their specific environment.Students compare and contrast a modern sea animal with the Cambrian era animal...
Lesson Plan
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Spring of Life

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners explore Florida's springs using video segments. In this video lesson, students examine Florida's springs ecosystem, the animals that live there and the red tide that threatens the environment. The lesson includes researching...
Lesson Plan
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Ecology 13 Human Effects 2

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify and explain human effects on the environment. They explore the terms biodiversity, natural resources, ozone and global warming. After exploring all the terms , they connect technology to them and how it effects the...
Lesson Plan
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School Site Ecosystem

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders are introduced to the concept of ecosystem; specifically, the interrelationships among plants and animals within an ecosystem, and their relationships to the environment in which they live and interact.
Lesson Plan
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A Natural Habitat: What, How and Why

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students understand what a habitat is. They determine why a habitat is important to our environment no matter where it is located. Students observe and recognize natural habitats in their surroundings.
Lesson Plan
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Food Chains Are Not A Necklace!

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine how food chains interact with different plants and animals. They practice using new vocabulary. They also discover the role of pesticides in the environment.
Lesson Plan
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What Can I Do About Global Environmental Change?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils complete a unit to evaluate their impact on the environment and greenhouse gas emissions. They conduct Internet research, develop a list of their electrical and energy use, calculate their share of greenhouse gases, and identify...
Lesson Plan
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Ecoregions of Texas

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discuss why hunter-gatherers might have favored certain areas in which to live. In pairs, they research specific regions to examine in depth. Students present their eco-region vegetation findings (in this case Central...
Lesson Plan
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Energy Extravaganza

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders study how cells and organisms acquire and release energy through photosynthesis and cellular respiration. They explain that living organisms use matter and energy to synthesize a variety of organic molecules and they will...
Lesson Plan
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Native Knowledge

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners investigate what type of climate and physical features certain Indigenous groups live in using an atlas and a provided worksheet. They then match the tribe and its location to the sustainable stategy employed in agricultural...
Lesson Plan
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Rainforest Plants and Animals -- Where Are They?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify the plant and animals in the rainforest. Using the internet, they research how these plants and animals adapt to survive in this type of environment. In groups, they critique artwork and discuss how they were depicted.
Lesson Plan
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Sea Turtle Savvy

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners explore sea turtles. They create paper plate sea turtles and brainstorm other organisms that live in the sea turtle's habitat. They role-play scenes from a nonfiction book, A Baby Sea Turtle's Journey. They play a game...
Lesson Plan
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Native Versus Exotic

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the presence of exotic and natural species in the ecosystem. They define the differences between exotic and native while looking at one specific ecosystem in Maryland. They write how the exotic species are considered...
Lesson Plan
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Pio, Pio, Que Frio

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate the characteristics of living things. They determine that different organisms have different needs and describe and compare them. They draw and verbally respond about their favorite animal.