Lesson Plan
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The Unique Rain Forest

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore the unique Rain Forest. In this Rain Forest lesson, students watch a video about the dangers the Rain Forest faces. Students create a Rain Forest mobile. Students choose  plants or animals from the...
Lesson Plan
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4th Grade Life Science Unit: Animals

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders classify animals. In this animal kingdom lesson, 4th graders research animal habitats and behaviors. Students connect to a zoologist via SKYPE and learn about animal classification. Students blog about preserving animal...
Lesson Plan
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Biological Relationships - Coral Reef Memory Game and Chain Game

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students familiarize themselves with the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem, and to use this knowledge to evaluate how the removal or decimation of one species can have far reaching effects.
Lesson Plan
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Creating a Classification System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners create classification system for Arctic-dwelling animals, the Arctic hare in particular.
Lesson Plan
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Create a Critter Collage

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners create a collage. In this animal classification lesson, students discuss why and how scientists classify animals. Learners view pictures of different animals and decide which class each animal belongs to. Students compare...
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Species Distribution Project

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students explore how to classify new species.
Lesson Plan
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Classification: Dichotomous Key

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners explain the classification process of organisms. In this biology lesson, students practice writing the names of organisms scientifically. They answer the dichotomous key and discuss answers as a class.
Lesson Plan
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Evolution

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Explore the concept of evolution and cell biology; your class can work in groups to use the internet to view websites on evolution, take a quiz, and complete a lab activity.
Lesson Plan
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Unidentified (Flying?) Arthropods

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Beginning biologists learn the characteristics of the five classes in the arthropod phylum. A student handout lists characteristics to help them identify five specimens. You will need to collect an example of each: arachnida, crustacea,...
Lesson Plan
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Is There Room for Everybody?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the capacity of animals able to live in one habitat. In this habitat lesson, 3rd graders play a game that shows the food chain and the interactions between animals in an area. Students discover that food is a major...
Lesson Plan
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How do new species form?

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders conduct a critical analysis of current evolutionary concepts. They describe how scientists continue to investigate theories. Students examine examples with experimental data that suggest alternative methods of species...
Lesson Plan
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Invasive Species

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students explore invasive species. In this species analysis instructional activity, students observe invasive species and review the impact the species have on the environment. Students work in groups to investigate the species in...
Lesson Plan
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The Physiological Tolerance of Two Species of Protozoans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the differences in pH tolerance between the two species and relate these differences to their respective niches.
Lesson Plan
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Looking at Different Species

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars research a species of bug that they find in a pond.  In this species lesson plan students work in groups and find the similarities and differences between different species of bugs. 
Worksheet
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Classifying Critters

For Students 4th - 5th
In this classifying critters worksheet, learners read a 1 page article on classifying living organisms and then answer 10 true or false, short answer, multiple choice or fill in the blank questions.
Lesson Plan
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"Publication" of Scientific Papers And Posters

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create and display a scientific poster in the same format that scientists use at a research symposium. They compile data and make conclusions about the classification of the Arizona Hedgehog Cactus as an endangered...
Lesson Plan
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Galapagos Adaptations

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine photographs of closely related species found in the Gal??pagos environment, observe differences and similarities between species, and form hypotheses about species differences and the relationship to the environment of...
Lesson Plan
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Dendrology

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars work as a class-size unit as well as in small groups to become proficient in observing tree characteristics to facilitate species identification. They identify most common tree species by observing leaf, flower, fruit and...
Lesson Plan
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Backyard Wildlife Conservation

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students survey local wildlife. They distinguish between permanent and migrating or seasonal species. Students identify species and describe the ecological niche. Students research the food chain and food web for the backyard...
Lesson Plan
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Native Versus Exotic

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the presence of exotic and natural species in the ecosystem. They define the differences between exotic and native while looking at one specific ecosystem in Maryland. They write how the exotic species are considered...
Lesson Plan
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Life at Risk

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the characteristics of the peregrine falcon. They investigate endangered and extinct species, and how the environment affects the process.
Lesson Plan
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Charting Diversity

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students organize different species of plans and animals according to various characteristics. Students then determine what characteristics enable them to survive in their habitat. Game ideas and activities are included.
Lesson Plan
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Reptile Identification Exercise

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are shown how to use the Digital Atlas of Idaho. They use a dichotomous key to identify species of Idaho reptiles. Students describe some basic life characteristics of reptiles. They use th visual key to identify the species...
Lesson Plan
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Intertidal Field Trip

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore an intertidal zone. In this science lesson, students travel to an intertidal zone. Students collect data and create species accumulation curves.