Scholastic
Study Jams! Gymnosperms: Seeds in Cones
Two very hip teenagers walk through the forest collecting evergreen cones. One teaches the other about gymnosperms: cycads, ginkoes, gnetophytes, and conifers. He tries to convince his friend how amazing cones are, while she defends...
Curated OER
Dichotomous Key for Identifying Pine Trees
Middle schoolers identify the species of pine trees that are found in their area. They use unlabeled "mystery" samples and a dichotomous key to identify the pine trees to species. After identification, they use a field guide to answer...
National Park Service
It's Not Easy Being Grizz
Grizzly bears can be up to 600 pounds and require a great deal of food, especially to survive hibernation. Comprised of multiple games, the third lesson of five only uses one setup. Pupils run around a large field, sorting and collecting...
Curated OER
Ecologist's Activities
Students construct a model of a biome. For this ecology lesson, students use a shoebox, magazine pictures, paper, and string to create a model biome. Students glue the photos inside the shoe box and draw other objects, such as plants,...
Curated OER
Tree Hunt
Students identify the common trees of Iowa and make observations while creating a key. In this tree hunt lesson plan, students write a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to receive a pamphlet of Common Trees of Iowa....
Curated OER
Birds and Birdfeed
Fourth graders examine the basic survival needs of birds before examining a suet ball as an example of what birds eat. They conduct an experiment with pine cones, bird seed, vaseline, and peanut butter. By observing the birds, they...
Curated OER
Be a Scientist: A Kindergarten Unit
Students conduct observations using their five senses. In this science lesson plan, students describe different states of matter. They investigate the factors affecting mold growth.
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
Growing Learners: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Investigating Plants and Flowers
Engage young scientists in these inquiry-based lesson ideas to spring into learning about nature.
Curated OER
Winter Play Pack
Uncover the magic of winter using this winter play pack. Fold it into a book for learners to work through as they explore wildlife during the cold months. They create winter ice art, go on a scavenger hunt for various plants and animals,...
Curated OER
Cricket Wars
Students investigate crickets in their habitat. In this insect lesson, students create a cricket habitat by using a glass jar with grass clippings and cloth. Students observe how crickets interact with each other and their eating habits.
Curated OER
Forest Fires
Students discuss the benefits and problems associated with fire. They discuss the role that fire plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Students brainstorm ways that fire can be harmful, such as damaging homes, communities, and...
Curated OER
ACTIVITY 6: MAKE A FOSSIL MOLD AND CAST and ACTIVITY 7: HOW BIG WERE PREHISTORIC ANIMALS?
Instructions for two terrific ancient history lessons for your primary paleontologists are provided in this resource. The first involves the creation of fossil cast replicas using plaster of Paris. The directions are detailed, but the...
Curated OER
Fibonacci Numbers
Students calculate the Fibonacci sequence of numbers. Through the use of Fibonacci numbers in flowers, leaves, fruits, vegetables, pine cones, and other forms of nature; students explore how Fibonacci numbers occur in nature. Then they...
Curated OER
Touch and Feel Box
Students investigate their sense of touch to help become more descriptive with their observations. For this sensory lesson, students reach inside a box to feel an object then guess what it is. Students then use both senses of touch and...
Rainforest Alliance
My Forest or the Rainforest?
The differences between tropical and temperate rainforests range from animals and flowers to climate and landscapes. Kindergarteners compare and contrast characteristics of their local forest to a tropical rainforest.
Science Matters
Seed Adaptations for Dispersal
After a grand conversation about seeds, adaptation, and dispersal, scholars work collaboratively to examine seeds and record their findings on a four-column chart. Small groups share their observations and further discuss seed...
Curated OER
Wetlands Are Wonderful
Students study the characteristics of wetlands. They are introduced to terms and different examples of wetlands. The hands-on activity reinforces the different parts of the wetlands, and provides a working model of a wetland.
Curated OER
Lesson Five: Identifying Christmas Trees
Stuudents distinguish between pines, spruces and firs they may see in their homes, by recognizing key characteristics such as shape, arrangement of needles and colouring. They recognize these same characteristics in trees growing outside.
Curated OER
Evergreens In Winter
In this identifying trees activity, students learn to identify 8 winter trees by their shapes. Students cut out flashcards with the name of the tree and its shape in silhouette.
Curated OER
Make Words Using the Letters in the Word "Porcupine"
In this language arts and science worksheet, students read a description of a porcupine. They make as many words as they can using the letters in the word "porcupine" and are encouraged to make at least 22.
Curated OER
Ecosystems
In this ecosystems worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle with 35 questions about the different types of ecosystems and organisms in them.
Curated OER
Who Says Plants Can't Move?
Students discover how plants spread their seeds using other plants and animals. In this plant activity, students role play different plants and how their seeds travel. Students then have a class discussion to ensure their understanding.