Biology Junction
Plant Diversity
Ginkgo trees existed for more than 350 million years, and, at this time, only one species still remains. While plant diversity generally increases over geologic time, some interesting exceptions occur. Young scientists learn about plant...
Curated OER
What Do Koalas Need to Survive?
First graders take a field trip and examine the Koala and his habitat. In this Koala instructional activity, 1st graders read Possum Magic and discuss the foods of Australia. Students view the habitat of a Koala and record...
Teach Engineering
Water Power
Young hydrologists observe a waterwheel which helps them investigate the transformations of energy that occur when the blades of a hydro-turbine are turning. They work together in pairs and pretend to be engineers who are building a new...
Curated OER
Mealworms
Crawl into the world of the darkling beetle with this scientific investigation. Watch as the insects move through the larval, pupal, and adult stages of life, recording observations along the way. Discuss the necessities of life as young...
Curated OER
Where Do Green Plants Get Energy?
Fourth graders realize that plants need light, water, and carbon dioxide to carry out photosynthesis. They participate in groups of 4 to plant (with materials provided) a test group of beans to compare to the control group, write a...
Curated OER
Sun Seeking Plants
Students investigate the story "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle. This story is used to introduce the children to the concept that seeds change and grow into plants when conditions in the environment including temperature, light, water and...
Curated OER
Animals
First graders study the basic needs of animals and compare them to human needs. They make bird feeders using milk carton and pine cones. They review the basic needs of food, water, air, and shelter and discuss what happens when animals...
Curated OER
Investigation Xylem
Students investigate how water travels up the stem of vascular plants by using food coloring to stain the xylem of a number of different plants. They know the function of leaves, stems, and root at the end of the experiment.
Curated OER
Defining Drought
Students examine the hydrologic impacts of drought. They look at drought from a variety of prespectives. Students first focus on the scientific definition of drought, including weather patterns, water cycles, water requirements by plants...
Curated OER
What is Rice?
Second graders investigate the agricultural process of rice farming by creating a rice stationary item. In this farming lesson plan, 2nd graders read about rice plants and the techniques used to harvest the edible plant....
Curated OER
Forest Floor Terrarium
Students study the aspects of a forest floor ecosystem, including decomposition, the water cycle, food webs, the needs of living things, and physical vs. chemical change over an extended period. In addition, students conduct observations...
Curated OER
The Soil Chain
Fourth graders show the needs of plants met by soil. In this Science lesson, 4th graders detail the components of soil and determine which are living or once living and non-living. Students determine the needs of plant growth that are...
Curated OER
Plants and Animals Depend Upon One Another
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...
Curated OER
Leaf Straw
Learners investigate plant structure and the process of photosynthesis. Using everyday items, they demonstrate that the leaves and stems of plants can act like a straw. In addition, they identify plant structure.
Curated OER
Altering a Plant Environment
Students investigate what a controlled group is by creating an experiment. In this plant growth lesson, students identify the different parts of a plant and discuss what is needed for a plant to be successfully grown....
Curated OER
From One Seed Grow Many Seeds
First graders practice identifying plants by singing a song. In this plant life activity, 1st graders sing the song "Parts of a Plant" which is based on the anatomy of sunflowers. Students discover agriculture techniques...
Curated OER
Tree Chart
students identify questions about trees and plants to include their importance, parts, and systems. They list the things they know, want to know, and how they are going to study it.
Curated OER
Windowsill Gardening: Food From Sunlight
For this windowsill gardening food from sunlight worksheet, students research photosynthesis, write about it, observe and record sunlight at home as it relates to the needs of a plant.
Curated OER
Invasive Aquatic Plant Identification
Students observe aquatic plants and animals and identify their systems. In this plants and animals lesson plan, students compare systems of organisms and orally express how plants and animals rely on each other.
Curated OER
The Living Environment
Fourth graders make a chart of animals and plants that live in either the desert, the ocean, or the tundra. In this environment lesson plan, 4th graders work in groups to discover characteristics needed for these animals to live in that...
Curated OER
What Land Works Best?
Fourth graders explore different types of land. For this land lesson, 4th graders investigate how water, climate, and soil type determine what types of crops may be grown. Students discover these elements while playing an interactive game.
Curated OER
Introduction to Nutrition and Gardening
Learners examine the different parts of a plant and each ones role. In this exploratory lesson students complete several activities including a game of charades.
Curated OER
Making a Soil Separator
Students investigate botany by creating a soil separating device. In this plant life lesson, students identify the needs of plants and how important the right soil is in the growing process. Students define different soil...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Seeds: How They Grow
Students observe the growing stages of plants. In this plant growth activity, students collect, germinate, and plant seeds to chart the growth process of plants.