Curated OER
Detectives in the Landscape
Fourth graders explore landscapes. In this landscape activity, 4th graders investigate different elements of landscapes. Students design a visual presentation using photographs taken during a nature walk.
Curated OER
In Harm's Way: Natural Disasters in My Community
Eleventh graders research and debate natural disasters that have occurred in their community. They assess whether these natural disasters were avoidable or were accidents. They investigate the extent of insurance coverage for disasters.
Curated OER
Air and Water in the Environment
Students explore the traits of water condensation and evaporation. In this water cycle lesson, students develop an awareness of the importance of water for sustaining life. Students participate in a hands-on activity in which water is...
Curated OER
Worms! Nature's Recyclers
Third graders explore the process of composting. In this composting lesson, 3rd graders read the book Wonderful Worms, and create composters.
Curated OER
A Matter of Survival
Fourth graders dance with inspiration from wild animals. In this creative movement lesson, 4th graders watch a video clip and then move like an animal might move in their natural surroundings.
Curated OER
Matter And Materials
Students investigate the concept of identifying different objects in nature and classifying them into different categories. The students will describe and explain a group of the objects orally and in writing form that is appropriate to...
Curated OER
A Safe Campfire
Students discuss and explore nature of fire, demonstrate understanding of how to safely build, light, maintain and extinguish campfire, and rotate through and complete activities at five classroom stations, and list and/or draw things...
Curated OER
Water and Sanitation
Students examine water contamination problems. In this global studies lesson, students compare and contrast water sanitation issues on Malawi, Tanzania, and Ontario. Students propose solutions to the water sanitation problems.
Curated OER
Tiny Town- Structures And Movement
Students investigate the concept of structures and how they are used in nature and the world of human civilization. The structures have various types and functions that are identified. They create mechanisms to help move objects during...
Curated OER
Energy and Control
Seventh graders construct a lunch box that maintains functional temperature zones and does not allow heat transfer between the zones. They examine the transfer of heat, the capacity of certain materials to hold heat, and how the...
Curated OER
Think Green
THINKGREEN has a computer printer cartridge collection program. After reading the story of how Assumption Secondary School in Burlington, Ontario started participating in the THINKGREEN recycling program, pupils work in groups of three...
Curated OER
Turning Up The Heat!
Students investigate the properties of heat. They explore methods of temperature control and measurement. Through experimentation and activities, students design a high tech tree house. They consider electrical, solar, and natural heat...
Curated OER
Invasive Species in the News
Students explore how invasive species can change an environment. For this critical thinking lesson, students study how invasive animals can change an environments population. They will discuss the implications of an invasive species and...
Michigan Sea Grant
Survival Game
Musical chairs may be a classic game, but Ruffe Musical Chairs is a unique lesson plan on invasive species! Using the time-honored game, pupils role play the behaviors of the invasive fish called Eurasian ruffe. Learning about this...
Curated OER
The Mussels Are Coming
Students work together to identify and describe the various types of mussels. Using a color-coded system, they plot the arrival date of zebra mussels in North American waters. They discuss the increase in their population with the class.
Curated OER
Beans, Beaks and Bears
Students explore evolution. After watching a video on evolution, students perform a variety of experiments using beans which illustrate the concept of evolution.
Curated OER
A Honey of a Hexagon
Students explore how bees make honey and why the hexagon is the best basic pattern for the honeycomb through the use of a video and hands-on activities with honeycombs and geometric shapes.
Curated OER
Understanding Biodiversity Via Ecological Footprints
Sixth graders investigate the ways in which human beings impact the environment and ecology through the calculation of their own ecological footprint, discussion questions pertaining to biodiversity and potential imbalance hazards, and...
Michigan Sea Grant
Sea Lamprey
Learners discuss the types of technology that are used to control the population of sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. They explain the parasite/host relationship and understand the devastating impact invasive species have on ecosystems....
Curated OER
Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion
Fourth graders describe the difference between minerals (composed of the same substance throughout) and rocks (composed of two or more minerals). They recognize that there are three classes of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
Curated OER
Sound Portraits
Learners observe a variety of sounds which can be heard within their schoolyard habitat by sitting quietly by themselves for five minutes, listening, and then recording the sounds around them by drawing them.
Curated OER
What Kind of Garden Would Grow in Our Schoolyard?
Students perform soil tests for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, composition and water percolation rate and assess the conditions in the schoolyard.
Curated OER
Give Me Back My School: A Back to Basics Approach to Ecological Restoration
Ninth graders research local geography to create successful, ecological school landscaping. They determine soil type, average weather patterns and temperature graphs and use the information to select ideal plants and plant maintenance...
Curated OER
Studying Fossils
Learners study fossils. They examine samples of specific fossils--including a shark tooth, a brachiopod, and horn coral, among others. They visit corresponding websites and complete a worksheet regarding each of the fossils.