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Worksheet
Curated OER

Researching the Nutrient Cycle

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this researching the nutrient cycle worksheet, students read about the cycle of nutrients, look at the diagram, then answer two questions by doing research on this topic.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemistry In Plant Nutrition And Growth

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate different factors that affect plant growth. They research the effects of water supply, radiant energy, air temperature, and soil temperature. Students also gather facts that influence plant nutrition that include the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Secrets to Healthy Soil

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore needed mineral nutrients for healthy soil. In this soil lesson, 4th graders investigate how living and nonliving elements combine to contribute to fertile soil development.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Morphology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze images of five different soil types from various locations and discuss how climate, vegetation, parent material, topography, and time can contribute to soil characteristics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Profile

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research soil layers and create a soil profile in a jar.  In this soil profile lesson, 4th graders working in groups, research a given layer of soil, make a 3-5 minute presentation to the class, and complete a worksheet. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Field Crops in the Agro-ecosystem

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore how to apply ecological analysis to cropping systems.  In this agro-ecosystem lesson students study management practices including soil and fertility. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Horticulture Crops in the agro-ecosystem

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders apply ecological analysis to fruit and vegetable production systems.  In this horticulture lesson plan students learn about different management practices.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Erosion

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders complete activities to observe the effects of erosion. In this erosion lesson, 2nd graders define erosion and learn the process. Students complete an erosion experiment.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Plants, Soil and Nutrients

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars conduct an experiment. They review how to use the scientific method to conduct an experiment with white carnations and food coloring. They create a hypothesis and test it to better understand how plants get nutrients,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bacteria

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the advantages and disadvantages of bacteria.  In this bacteria lesson students draw and label the different types of bacteria.
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Activity
New South Wales Department of Education

Photosynthesis

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Venus fly traps photosynthesize and consume insects because the soil they live in does not provide enough nutrients. Scholars analyze historical scientific experiments to learn how scientists discovered photosynthesis. From their...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Wildlife Federation

Forest Floor Investigation

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Most living things go unnoticed. Change that using a fun activity about the nutrient cycle. Pupils use hula hoops to mark areas of study and then make observations about the living things they see. They first make surface observations,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature Rules In The Great Flood of 1993

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine the event of the Great Flood of 1993. Using the internet, they research the economic, social and ecological changes that impacted the area. They conduct a town meeting in which they debate the positives and negatives of...
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Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Dirty Decomposers

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Do not let the class just sit and rot. Pupils learn how decomposition and nutrient recycling is important to an ecosystem. Groups design an experiment to determine how environmental conditions affect decomposition. They develop a poster...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Retention and Soil Variation in Local Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the differences in local soil types and the relationship between soil size and water retention. They are introduced to microenvironmental conditions in ecosystem sustainability.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sustainable Agriculture

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students perform an experiment to find out if plants grow best when grown in soil with no fertilizer, with chemical fertilizers, or with compost that they have made themselves. Students discover how agriculture practices can benefit the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Should Soil Be Sterile?

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Students determine if the sterilization of topsoil is beneficial to seed germination and plant growth. They grow plants alongside control groups, make and record observations of plant growth and measure plant biomass.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hydroponics

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine how to grow plants using a hydroponic system.  In this hydroponics lesson students identify the advantages and disadvantages of growing plants hydrologically.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Runoff with Chunky the Chicken

For Teachers K - 8th
Students are introduced to the on-farm nutrient cycle, which explains feed to manure, to soil, and back to the feed. They are introduced to the generation of runoff during rainstorms, and the contents of runoff water are more than water...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soda Bottle Compost: Nutrient Cycling in Action

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate, through their own experimentation, the important role wildlife play in nutrient cycling. Earthworms and compost are used in this experiment and different experimental setups be evaluated.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Just Dirt

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students discover how seed germination varies according to the soil type. In this soil science instructional activity, students discuss what plants need in order to grow and investigate various types of soil. Students use their senses to...
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Handout
Cornell University

Weed IPM

For Students 4th - 5th Standards
Go on a weed hunt! Scholars gain insight into the characteristics of plants and examine the outdoor environment in order to identify five different types of weeds. Learners then show what they know with a one-page reflection.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent Plant Growth Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This is an awesome lesson filled with tons of engaging learning activities. Over a period of weeks learners will make observations, collect plant and analyze plant data, read and review agricultural articles, design and conduct an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where do Plants Get their Food?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
In this where do plants get their food worksheet, students design an experiment that will disprove the idea that plants obtain their food from soil. Students will set up their experiment and design a data table that will record data over...