National Gardening Association
Migration Mishaps
Elementary ecologists pretend to be migratory hummingbirds. They fly between wintering and nesting grounds, trying to reach a habitat haven. In a musical-chair fashion, some birds will miss out, and are removed from the game. To further...
Curated OER
These Maps are for the Birds
Students identify and study New York State Breeding Bird Atlas maps to learn where different bird species nest and how their distributions have changed over time. They also identify how maps serve as representations of a geographic...
Curated OER
What in Our World Affects the Way People Live
Sixth graders study various maps that show geographical features and population. They compare the maps and make inferences about how various geographical features influence the population and human activities of an area.
Curated OER
Water Conservation
Open learners' eyes to the challenge of finding safe drinking water – something we often take for granted in our country. The PowerPoint presentation includes images, graphs, diagrams, and even a video to stimulate discussion on how we...
Curated OER
Topography of Africa
Students study Africa's diverse landscape and investigate how these features impact the available water supply, food sources, and population distribution of the continent. They compare topographical features and
their affect on each...
Curated OER
Balancing Act
Learners investigate the dramatic increase in world population and the unequal distribution of resources. They examine the six world regions and how they are affected by the increase in population.
Curated OER
Changing Planet: Permafrost Gas Leak
Pair earth scientists up to use an amazing online arctic portal mapping tool and Google Earth to analyze permafrost changes. They compare changes to data on atmospheric concentrations of methane to see if there is a correlation. Then...
Curated OER
Managing Wildlife
Students discuss the current conditions of wildlife in New England. Students explore how animals are tracked and how their population is managed.
Curated OER
Fish and Zooplankton Through Remote Sensing
Ecology aces examine sea surface temperature maps and relate temperatures to concentration in fish and zooplankton populations. Take your class to a computer lab and provide experience with actual remote sensing data. Some of the links...
Curated OER
Park Problems
Students calculate park acreage and map the distribution of parks in Austin, TX using GIS. Students use a specific website to find the information.
Curated OER
Urban Planning: Plan a City
Students analyze the concept of urbanization by planning the placement of some of the major urban/suburban features that make up most cities. They arrange the cultural features to benefit the people who live there, and maintain respect...
Curated OER
Rainfall Mapping
Students explore rainfall and habitats. In this rainfall instructional activity, students explore the relationships among rainfall, vegetation, and animal habitats. Resources are provided.
California Academy of Science
Sustainable Food Solutions: Weighing the Pros and Cons
A growing demand for sustainable food systems comes from schools and even some cities. So what are some solutions? Scholars consider four different ways to approach sustainable food solutions and list the pros and cons of each. The fifth...
Curated OER
LAND USE ISSUES
Students relate math with real life situations. They identify and plot points on a grid map. They identify and locate the Drop Box Sites.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Lactase Persistence: Evidence for Selection
What's the link between lactase persistence and dairy farming? Biology scholars analyze data to find evidence of the connection, then relate this to human adaptation. Working individually and in small groups, learners view short video...
Curated OER
Terrestrial Ecozones, Population Density and Species at Risk
Tenth graders navigate and use the online Atlas of Canada. They explain the cause and effect relationship between human settlement and the natural environment and wildlife species. They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan.
Curated OER
And the Rains Came Down: A South American Rainforest
Students examine the characteristics of a South American tropical rainforest. They analyze maps, develop graphs, listen to the book, The Great Kapok Tree, and create a rainforest mural.
Curated OER
Gray Whales on the Move
Middle schoolers study whale migration and their natural history. In this migration activity students plot whale migration on a map and describe their ecosystems.
Curated OER
Polar Day: Living in the Canadian North
Students study the Canadian North. In this Canadian North lesson plan, students study the physical characteristics and the lifestyles of people in that region. Students complete map making and creative activities that help them learn...
Discovery Education
Sonar & Echolocation
A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...
Curated OER
Changing Planet: Fading Corals
Show the six-minute video, "Changing Planet: Fading Corals," and then demonstrate how calcium carbonate forms a precipitate in the presence of carbon dioxide. Separate your scientists into small groups to gather information about coral...
Curated OER
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Students analyze the story Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain geographically, and explain the term climate and discuss its relevance in the story as well as to their own lives.
Curated OER
Trees of Mississippi
Pupils research tree species found in Mississippi, and record the tree types, numbers of trees, and locations. Students then research the forest industry sites, and determine possible relationships between industry location and tree...
Curated OER
Beaver, or not?
Students study the role of the beaver in Illinois during the 1800's and how overtrapping cause the near extinction of the beaver colonies in Illinois by 1900. Students role play various people in 1945 who have an opinion about the...