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Scavenger Hunt! Exploring the Prairie
Learners participate in an online scavenger hunt activity, researching the type of housing pioneers built to match the natural environment. They design and create a poster exhibit or Web page presenting information about pioneer housing.
DePaul University
Contrast and Evaluate Fact and Opinion
How can you tell when an author is expression an opinion or stating a fact? Use two short reading selections to emphasize the difference between a statement that you can prove and one that you can't. The first passage explains food...
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Living Sources of Weathering
In this sources of weathering activity, students read about the various things that cause weathering including plants and animals. They answer four critical thinking questions about weathering.
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Nomad Land
Students explore the migratory movements of animals as they monitor their own movements throughout the school day. Climatic and feeding conditions are examined as cues for the movement.
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Biomes Internet Lesson
In this biomes worksheet, students use an on line source to complete a table of the Earth's biomes. Students include the types of plants in each biome, the types of animals, the climate and any details about the biomes. Students answer...
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Classification, Keys, and Phylogenetci Trees
Students analyze relationships about animals and create a model of classifications based on both the similarities and the differences. They also discuss a dichotomous key before they create a cladograph using different types of candy.
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Dynamic Wetlands
Learners construct and observe a model of two different types of wetlands. In this wetlands lesson, students create a model of a wetland with constant drainage and a wetland that maintains a well-saturated soil. Learners observe and...
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Animal Electronic I.D.
Learners discover ways to keep the animals in our environment safe by examining electronic I.D. tags. In this animal safety activity, students participate in a role-playing activity in which they are monitored by an electronic I.D....
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Ecological Communities:The Prairie
Students study the meaning of ecological community and recognize its complexity. In this ecology lesson plan students diagram a food web.
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Habitats of the World
Students complete a unit of eighteen lessons that cover climate, geography, location, plants, and animals of each of the five habitats. They are also introduced to habitat destruction and discuss ways to protect the environment. They do...
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Living Things Depend upon Each Other
Students research animals. They identify the animals' struggle for survival, and internalize the importance of preserving an ecosystem with animal life.They collect information and write a report on their findings. Additional cross...
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Cranes, Crosswalks, and Big Gulps
Pupils watch a video and answer questions based on wildlife jobs. For this wildlife lesson plan, students learn that biologists don't just play with animals but that there is a lot of study involved.
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The Web of Life - Ecosystem
Students examine the concepts of ecosystems and interdependence. They construct block pyramids to demonstrate interdependence, and map off an area to observe and identify animals. They create food chain mobiles and play a web of life game.
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Habitats, Abiotic v. Biotic
Students explore and define ecosystem, ecology and habitat. They discuss abiotic and biotic organisms and the things needed for survival. After observing pictures of animals in their habitat, students compare and contrast habitats and...
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Why Do Geese Fly South For the Winter?
Fifth graders examine migration by tracing animal migration routes on a map. In this animal life lesson, 5th graders observe a map of North America and read about the migration patterns of geese. Students trace the path most geese take...
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Biological Diversity and Conservation
In this conservation biology activity, students will complete 9 short answer questions on the different strategies of conservation biology, including the Endangered Species Act and establishing protected areas for animals.
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Animal Smarts Question Report
For this 10 question multiple choice worksheet, students choose the correct answer based on reading Animal Smarts. They read the non-fiction piece before determine the correct answers to the questions.
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Land Issues
In this unit of lessons, students examine land issues affecting the world today. They discover what it is like for animals to live and create paper animals. They also examine parts of a tree and how to make dyes from materials found in...
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Social Studies and Children's Literature
Students write a journal in response to literature. The story that is read is about prairies. The subject of prairies becomes an object for research. The culminating activity is the making of a map where prairies exist in the United States.
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Explore the Food Web
Students identify plants and animals in the journals of Lewis and Clark's expedition. They describe the various animal habits. Students interpret the behaviors of the animals discovered on the expedition. They design a food web using...
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Bringing Illinois into the Curriculum
Students of all ages are introduced to the geography of Illinois. Depending on the grade level, they participate in different activities which allow them to discover Illinois in the past and present. They examine the animals and...
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Land Use
Students examine ecosystems that covered Illinois 200 years ago, investigate some living and non-living components of ecosystems, identify components of prairie system, create food webs, and observe human effects on environment. Lessons...
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Exploring Habitats
Students analyze the difference between the human habitat and the different habitats of animals in the six lessons of this unit. The students' imaginations and literature are used to explore important aspects of the living environments...
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Landforms All Around
Students create a "Landform Dictionary". They develop an overlay map and participate in hands-on activities to identify the key characteristics of landforms. They discuss the plant and animal life of these areas. Handouts for the lessons...