What's life like aboard an ocean exploration vessel? Junior oceanographers examine the important role of communication in ocean research in lesson two of a five-part series from NOAA. The materials introduce the class to life on...

Clear water does not mean clean water. A collaborative lesson has groups play a board game to identify sources of water pollution and develop strategies for improving water quality. Their investigations include reference to the water...

Students explore habitats. in this ecology and animal habitat instructional activity, students listen to the book A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman. Students discuss the basic needs of animals and go on a nature walk to...

Students investigate healthy eating habits by researching livestock. For this food sustainability lesson, students research the negative impact factory farming has on our environment due to pollution. Students define agricultural...

Mammals have unique interactions with their ecosystems. Using a multi-part lesson, learners research local mammals using recommended websites and use their findings to create their own paper ecosystems including appropriate mammals. They...

Urban development and habitat retention are often at odds. A three-part lesson examines the pros and cons of forest clearcutting. Learners review data and characteristics of a specific mammal to make conclusions about the effect...

Scientists use data to learn about species survival—and your classes can too! A set of four lessons guides learners through a process to draw conclusions about the fluctuations in the population of the Hellbender species. They read...

Ecosystems are constantly changing whether people notice or not. An inquiry-based lesson examines types of ecosystem changes and how they relate to wildlife conservation. Learners classify changes as succession and disturbance using a...

Here is an in-depth, and incredibly thorough lesson plan on sustainable agricultural practices; specifically, regarding the growth of coffee. After completing and discussing a worksheet called "Thinking About Tomorrow," groups of...

Students role-play coyotes looking for natural resources.  In this natural resources lesson plan, students examine the relationship between animal life and the environment.  Students play a game that demonstrates how natural...

Young farmers explore the world of farm animals. They are introduced to a variety of animals, what their role is, how many legs they have, and what sounds they make. Worksheets and websites embedded in the plan are used to carry it out....

Fifth graders discover the uses for rice by reading about the habitats of certain birds.  In this agriculture instructional activity, 5th graders research birds from the Gulf Coast and California and their reasons for living in rice...

What do a reptile and an amphibian have in common? A three-part lesson allows scholars to investigate the similarities and differences between the two types of animals by identifying specific body parts. The lesson highlights the...

Second graders identify what constitutes as a desert by reading a habitat checklist.  In this environment lesson, 2nd graders read a nature website to discover facts about the desert and where they are located.  Students...

Honing reading and communication skills through the theme of farm animals is the focus of this lesson. Students read a book about Scandinavian farm animals and complete prediction journal activities. They complete a worksheet about the...

Discover the natural resources in Iowa by studying it's history. In this environmental lesson, your students will observe a topographical map of Iowa and identify where its most valuable resources are. They complete an Iowa name...

Students plant a cacti. In this desert plants lesson plan, students identify the needs of a plant and meet those needs by planting and caring for cactus.

Students explore wildlife plants and summer activities. In this natural science lesson, students identify plants and animals and create a scrapbook of their findings.

Students explore the outdoors. In this animal diversity activity, students observe nature and identify various species of animals, both small and large. Students discuss animal habitats and how humans influence their living...

Fourth graders examine habitats for animals by creating their own in class environment.  In this environment lesson, 4th graders research the Internet for information on certain wild animals and the places in which they live....

In this performing arts and wildlife instructional activity, young scholars role play 4 scenarios in order to demonstrate how to act around wildlife and farm animals. Students discuss the proper ways of feeding animals, touching them,...

If you are new to teaching agriculture classes, this outline may be helpful when you are preparing a lecture on parasites in livestock. In addition to lecturing on this topic, the lesson plan suggests that learners research the life...

Students discuss the importance of trees and work together to plant a living snowfence. In this tree importance lesson, students discuss why trees are important in rural areas. They use mathematics and team work to plant a living snowfence.

Young scholars explore the environment by researching insects. In this earthworm lesson, students utilize soil and plexiglass to build a see through wormery in which young scholars can observe the worms at work. Students identify the...