Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Global Impact of Insect Borne Diseases & Agriculture

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the global impact of insect borne diseases, the appropriate use of pesticides, and the concept of human interrelations on a world wide scale. They examine how to safely apply a pesticide, according to the label.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Signs of the Seasons

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students closely observe the natural world, record data, and notice patterns as the seasons unfold, they build a deeper understanding of seasonal change! The definition of phonology is the focus of this lesson and how it changes...
Interactive
Curated OER

North American Butterflies and Moths of Fields, Meadows, and Fencerows

For Students 5th - 8th
In this North American butterflies and moths worksheet, learners click on the links in the questions about North American butterflies and moths of fields, meadows, and fencerows to find the answers to the questions and then come back and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Chili Planting

For Teachers K
Students discover the process of planting chili. After comparing two types of seeds students plant and with the use of a digital camera, record the seed progress. When ready for transplant, students take young plants to a retirement...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grounded for Life

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders become familiar with the lives of penguins including their life cycles, habitats and basic needs. Students will experience the lives of penguins through stories and video.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water's Edge Café

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students observe water birds feeding at a local wetland, record what they see, and construct an appropriate menu for a "Waterfowl Cafe." They also play a "flocking" game.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Soil Nature's Way: Exploring decomposition and soil health

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore decomposition and soil health by creating their own garden.  In this agriculture lesson, students build a "lasagna garden" with organic matter found in the area and plant perennials native to their region....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solid Waste and Recycling

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students demonstrate effects of waste on environment and ways of reducing it, observe how much packaging goes into bag lunches each day, and survey their families to assess awareness levels and household recycling practices. Lessons all...
Lesson Plan
ARKive

Butterflies and Blooms

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
The Northwoods of Wisconsin are lovely in the summer,and they are also home to many flower and butterfly species. Investigate the ways in which seasonal flowers and butterflies are interdependent on each other for survival with a fun...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders construct a pond habitat in the classroom using a small swimming pool partially filled with water, real cattails, a tree log adjoining, and plastic animal life appropriate to a pond setting. They examine the frog in detail...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diurnal Cycling Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students carry out an experiment to monitor diurnal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and water temperature. They determine the CO2 and pH of the samples (and optionally, dissolved oxygen). Students complete their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How do plant & animal cells make and use energy?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners show the relationship between the need for plants to undergo photosynthesis in order to generate oxygen. They see the flaws associated with this thinking because of the lack of CO2 and H2O and lack of sufficient gravity in order...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Mitosis with Meiosis

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Life science learners view an online animated mini textbook comparing two types of cell division. Working in groups, they use a digital microscope to capture images of cells in different stages of mitosis and meiosis. Then they create an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beetle Rearing

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate plants and the effects beetles have on the plants. In small groups, they collect plants and observe the beetles as they interact with the plants. They record the conditions including temperature, cloudiness, length...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
With The Great Kapok Tree, by Lynne Cherry as the hook learners discuss the rainforest, the animals that live there, and conservation efforts. Then, students write a letter to the man in the story asking him not to cut down the Kapok...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Critters of the Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine different organisms in various marine habitats. They identify any adaptations that have allowed the organisms to survive. They develop an imaginary organism and describe its life cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Acidity and Leaching

For Teachers K - 8th
Young scholars are introduced to the concept of acids and bases and arouse curiosity about acids and bases in daily life. They are introduced to the measurement of soil pH. Pupils are introduced to the effect of soil pH on nutrient...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thinning and Transplanting

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify and observe one plant per section in their quad and to transplant the surplus seedlings to empty quads and interpret why this is important. They then discuss the purpose of thinning and transplanting. Finally, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Violets, Daffodils, Roses and Thorn

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a variety of exercises and activities surrounding the scientific and artistic properties of the parts and processes of a plant/flower.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Plastic Bag Greenhouse

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders observe plants and record their growth. They describe the parts of plants in detail including the roots, stems and leaves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flowers, Pods, and Seeds

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students gain an understanding of living organisms. the complete a plant growth data log to chart plant growth and to make observations, predictions, and personal reflections.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gametogenesis and Fertilization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how this module focuses on part of the cycle of alternation of generations: meiosis to produce haploid spores and fertilization to produce a diploid zygote which grows into the adult plant.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Powerful Potato

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students are introduced to the growth process of a potato. As a class, they place a potato on a plate and observe how long it takes for the eyes to appear. In groups, they follow a recipe to make potato soup that is shared with the...
Activity
PBS

Season Seeking

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
It's a time of change. A hands-on activity engages young scientists in a lesson highlighting the change of seasons. They brainstorm indicators of season changes in nature and then look for them. Next, they record observations in a field...