Sixth graders explore the Caribbean sea and the Arctic ocean. They become familiar with the living conditions of others. Students investigate the geographic location of each area. They become familiar with important events that helped...

Students compare and contrast the properties of salt water in the oceans/seas and freshwater elsewhere on the planet. They also analyze mixing caused by currents in the ocean, including the effects of warm and cold water as well as with...

Students explore food chains. In this ecosystem activity, students discover how plants and animals rely on each other for survival. Students research the rocky shore ecosystem and create a skit representing the ecosystem.

What is the cost of change? Roberto Guerra's photo essay "La Carretera: Life and Change Along Peru's Interoceanic Highway" asks viewers to consider the impacts of the 1,600 mile-long highway through Peru and Brazil that connects Pacific...

Students, after locating different marine habitats on a globe, play a card game about ecosystems, food webs and organisms.

Each slide is a simple notebook page with one landform in blue and its definition in red. There are 26 vocabulary terms in all, some you may want to use, and others easily hidden. It is recommended that you add photos or other graphic...

Musical chairs may be a classic game, but Ruffe Musical Chairs is a unique activity on invasive species! Using the time-honored game, pupils role play the behaviors of the invasive fish called Eurasian ruffe. Learning about this...

Middle schoolers discuss the characteristics of the biosphere, with a focus on the Tibetan Plateau. They participate in a question and answer period discussing biomes and climate patterns. They compare and contrast different ecosystems.

Pupils explain the difference between each of three major ecosystems. They determine the flow of water in the St. Mary's River as it flows out of the river into the bay, and finally out into the Atlantic Ocean and identify where...

Fourth graders research an ecosystem and its endangered species. They create a PowerPoint Presentation, oral report, poster or a booklet based on their research. They research on the internet and in biology texts in teams of 4.

Students learn about and make models of coral reefs. In this reef ecosystem instructional activity, the class locates a number of coral reefs on a map. They learn how a coral reef is a balanced ecosystem that depends upon all of it's...

In this science and geography worksheet, young scholars investigate the vocabulary pertaining to the ecosystem of the Everglades in South Florida. Students unscramble 9 words and find 12 words in a word search puzzle.

Pupils study the environmental issues that pertain to the marine environment. In this research ocean landfills lesson students come up with alternative means of disposal. 

Learners discover what a watershed is and which one they live in. Using the internet, they research why watersheds are important to an ecosystem and how to keep them from getting polluted. They use a map to locate various items within a...

Learners explore why Antarctica is so important to the planet. They investigate the physical characteristics. Students create their own unique treaty of governance for Antarctica and discuss how laws are enforced in Antarctica.

Students examine the impact of a major climate change in the Arctic Ocean on the rest of the world. They use the Internet to research the Arctic region and the wildlife that lives there.

Young scholars research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations.  In this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class.  Young...

Young scholars identify and interpret that non-fiction books have features like a table of contents, a glossary, and an index, which can efficiently help them find information. They also identify how to narrow the search for information...

Students access data to characterize coral reefs. In this scientific research lesson plan, students access data and explain the need for such data when monitoring coral reefs. They will identify and explain three major threats to coral...

Students examine the California environments. In this environmental lesson, students examine the various ecosystems of California, creating a presentation on how these environments impact Big Sur. They write a paper defending their point...

Students explore fish anatomy. In this fish anatomy and adaptation instructional activity, students define and identify the location of fish body parts. Students add these parts of a fish's anatomy to a life-sized fish costume worn by a...

Students are introduced to the culture of the Kumeyaay. Using their text, they discover how they used their native flora and fauna in San Diego. They participate in a matching game and examine the types of organisms who make their home...

Students explore the sounds of the estuary. In this wetlands lesson, students discuss how to simulate the sounds of nature. Students write and record a musical score featuring the sounds of the wetlands.

First graders discuss the habitat and needs of a Mallard duck. In this lesson on ducks, 1st graders examine what a Mallard ducks needs to survive and the wetland habitat that the duck is usually found in.