Curated OER
Flower Power
Students view examples of Robert Harris' artwork to identify and describe the ecosystems in them. In groups, they work together to discuss how ecosystems breakdown and create solutions to keep this from happening. To end the lesson,...
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Plant Explorers
Students investigate how plants take in water, nutrients, and light. They create artwork showing how plants survive in different environments.
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Inviting Butterflies to the Schoolyard
Students create a butterfly garden. In this butterfly garden lesson, students plot a garden with plant species that will attract butterflies. Students learn about the specific plants and items that will help butterflies use the garden.
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Where the Buffalo Roam
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
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Milkweed and Monarch Butterfly Mania
Students explore Earth science by completing a worksheet in class. In this botany lesson, students identify the relationship between the Milkweed plant and the butterflies which regularly feed on its nutrients. Students visit a list of...
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Martian Earth Tours
Students study a variety of global wetland habitats, their similarities and differences. They examine the variety of life that such wetlands support and determine that many animals and plants are adapted to life in wetlands, that...
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Ecological Dilemmas
In this ecological dilemmas worksheet, learners read about people's impact on ecosystems. Students complete 3 activities that require them consider the negative impact humans have on their environment.
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Beaver Succession Mural
Young scholars explore the concept of beaver pond succession. In this succession lesson, students discuss what succession is and how it works. Young scholars create a mural to present their understanding of this concept.
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Wetland Wonders
Learners study the characteristics of wetlands, and their importance to humans and wildlife.
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Dandelion Facts- Reading and Writing Worksheet Packet
In this set of worksheets about dandelions, students read the definition and 10 pages of facts about the common weed. They look at pictures that are related to the facts.
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Milkweed and Monarch Quiz
In this milkweed and monarch butterfly learning exercise, students take a quiz online about the milkweed and monarch butterflies. Students complete 10 multiple choice questions.
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Bringing Illinois into the Curriculum
Students of all ages are introduced to the geography of Illinois. Depending on the grade level, they participate in different activities which allow them to discover Illinois in the past and present. They examine the animals and...
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Hide & Seek Butterflies
Students examine a variety of butterflies and discuss how they believe they get their color variations. In groups, they brainstorm the advantages and disadvantages of their color schemes. To end the activity, they watch butterflies in...
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Insect Biodiversity
Young scholars examine biodiversity by conducting comparative biodiversity surveys. They conduct Internet research to identify insects that they have caught in two different habitats, and compare the biodiversity of the two areas.
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Wetland Wonders
Students describe the characteristics of wetlands. They demonstrate their understanding of the importance of wetlands to humans and wildlife and determine they are defined by the presence of water, and specialized soils.