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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond Ecology

For Teachers 4th - 6th
A lab activity is a great way to incite thoughtful questioning and scientific processes. Pupils will collect organisms with a Petri dish, make observations, sketch the organism, ask questions, then attempt to identify the specimen...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecological Succession in Pond Water Cultures

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners collect samples of pond water, dried grass, and soil in a jar. They predict the order of ecological succession in their pond water cultures. They compare their expected results with their observed results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond Life Identification Kit

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore ecology and biodiversty. They use the wet-mount procedure to make several slides to view using the microscope and draw what they see.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pea Soup Ponds

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform an experiment where they learn how water can be polluted by algal bloom. They grow algae with different concentrations of fertilizers or nutrients and analyze their results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond Water Web

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners identify the different organisms in the food web. In this biology lesson, students create food chains using the information on cards. They explain what happens if an organism is removed or added in the web.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Ecosystem Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students visit a local stream, pond, creek, or river and collect macroinvertebrates. They sort macroinvertebrates and identify each species using a dichotomous key. Students decide on trophic levels and construct a possible food web for...
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Lesson Plan
Forest Foundation

The Web of Life

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers. To begin a study of the forest ecosystem, learners examine the connections among the members of ecological communities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Ecology or Who Lives Here?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore a hardwood forest. In this forest ecology lesson, students examine the diversity and animals and plants as they explore their habitats at Poricy Park Conservatory. Students determine how biodiversity and abiotic elements...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using A Winogradsky Column to Analyze Microbial Communities

For Teachers K - 12th
Young scholars use easily obtained materials to study ecological succession in a microbiological community. This investigation is appropriate for a variety of age groups. Elementary Students be fascinated by the changes occurring over...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Ecology Lab

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students determine the characteristics of a stream ecosystem and its organisms.  In this water ecology lesson students complete several labs that shows them presence of life, water appearance, and water flow.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beaver Ecology

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering The Oasis

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students participate in a lesson that is concerned with the ecosystem of a local pond. The teacher makes arrangements for students to take a field trip. Time is spent in class for preparation and afterward for debriefing of lab...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Human Impact on the Environment

For Students 7th - 9th
In this environmental science worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle with 26 questions about human impact on the environment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lentic Ecosystem or Lotic Ecosystem

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the differences between lentic and lotic ecosystems. In this ecology lesson students study the water systems in Pennsylvania.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of Water Pollution on Aquatic Organisms

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate water pollution. They develop an understanding of the behavior of organisms, of the structure and properties of matter, and of natural and human induced hazards by conducting lab tests. They present their data...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fly Tying

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars practice fly tying and explain water conservation efforts in Iowa. In this ecology, Iowa geography, and natural resources lesson, students identify basic equipment and material needed to fish, then tie flies. Young...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using A Winogradsky Column to Analyze Microbial Communities

For Teachers 4th - 11th
Students use easily obtained materials to study ecological succession in a microbiological community. They collect water samples from outdoor sources in plastic bottles to observe and record changes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Animals

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discover the interconnectedness of plants and animals in ecosystems. In groups, they create a food web and discuss the problems when one link of the chain is broken. To end the lesson, they set up a balanced environment...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freshwater Habitats

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers take samples from local freshwater sources and examine them for macroinvertebrate life. They take samples from both shallow and deep freshwater environments, measure temperatures, and classify organisms found in their...
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Interactive
Curated OER

Learning About Watersheds

For Students 7th - 8th
In this learning about watersheds instructional activity, students answer 15 questions using links to web resources about water use in their community.  This page includes numerous links to helpful websites.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Pollinators

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students discover the reproductive parts of a plant.  In this biology lesson, students identify and categorize several different plants they dissect in class.  Students record their information using a data chart.
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Interactive
Curated OER

Water Studies Word Problems

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this water worksheet, students read mini articles and solve math word problems having to do with water. Students complete 16 word problems.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity in Our Watershed

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders create a database of animals and birds in the area in which they live. They use molded prints to make a cast of an imprint from a specific animal. They identify and research animals and prepare an outline for an oral...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Threatened, Endangered & Extinct Lesson Plan

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine the basic needs of living organisms. In this science instructional activity, students study ecosystems and discover that organisms have basic needs that must be met.