Pennsylvania Department of Education
Alike and Different
Learners compare and contrast objects and are introduced to a Venn Diagram. In this alike and different lesson, students make observations regarding properties of objects. Learners classify object and build ideas about variables....
Curated OER
The Great Spider Debate
Students study about the survival and hunting strategies of several different kinds of spiders. They also be introduced to scientific classification of spiders and write a brief report about one of the spider families they observe.
Curated OER
Animal Trading Cards
Students use a computer program to research an animal and practice taking notes. In this animal research lesson, students use PebbleGo database to research their animal and take notes. Students then make an animal trading card using...
Curated OER
Galactic Inquiry
High schoolers view NASA images of galaxies and develop a galaxy classification scheme. They compare and contrast their classification scheme with that developed by Edwin Hubble. They recognize that galaxies are collections of billions...
Curated OER
Classify the Microbes
Students classify microorganisms into categories based on their characteristics. Pupils use a taxonomic key to identify organisms. They classify certain bacteria, protists, and viruses using a classification or taxonmic key.
Curated OER
Tree Trekkers
Students explore different types of trees. In this tree lesson, students use a digital camera to photograph trees in their area and upload them to a computer. Students will share their findings by using their photos to make a booklet or...
Curated OER
Under The Sea
In this resource lesson plan, young scholars use non-fiction books to research ocean animals. Students discover the many features of non-fiction books and how to use these features to help them conduct research. Young scholars then...
Curated OER
Working for Water
Students examine the ways that government works to help improve aquatic habitats. In this water habitats lesson students view a video and plan a school restoration project.
Curated OER
Studying Species by Examining the Evolution of the Canidae Family
Students examine the definition of species. Students complete a phylogentic tree of the Canidae family. They write an essay justifying why or why not wolves and dogs should be classified as different species.
Curated OER
Biodiversity
In this biodiversity activity, students sort and classify animals by their observable features using a dichotomous key. Students then respond to questions about complete and incomplete metamorphosis.
Curated OER
Galapagos Adaptations
Young scholars 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...
Curated OER
Origins Video Questions
In this biology learning exercise, students complete 19 short answer questions about biodiversity and information obtained during a class video.
Curated OER
Animal Classification Unit
Third graders study how to group animals by their physical characteristics. They examine how animals have adapted to have their needs met by the environment.
Curated OER
What Do Monarch Caterpillars Eat?
Learners record and analyze what types of food monarch caterpillars will eat.
Curated OER
Dendrology
Students 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 bark...
Curated OER
Cell Cycle Duration
Students examine the cell cycle and how its duration can vary. In this cells lesson students complete a worksheet and answer questions.
University of Georgia
Would Your Cat Eat This Stuff?
Processed foods use inorganic compounds for flavoring and preservation. This take-home laboratory challenges scholars to find 20 different compounds identified on the labels of foods to list on their data collection sheet. The activity...
National Science Teachers Association
Hop into Action
Young scientists find out what makes amphibians such unique and interesting animals in this simple life science instructional activity. After looking at pictures and discussing the characteristics of amphibians, learners...
Lerner Publishing
Meet the Dinosaurs
Take your class of youngsters on a prehistoric adventure with this four-lesson series on dinosaurs. Accompanying the Meet the Dinosaurs books by Don Lessem, these lessons engage children in writing their own dinosaur books,...
Curated OER
Camping Near the Estuary
Students examine the first meeting between the first Spanish settlers and the native groups of the Tijuana estuary. Using a map, they trace various expeditions throughout Goat Canyon and the Spanish migration. After reading text, they...
Curated OER
Internet Versus Daily Newspapers
Seventh graders address a series of questions based on Bloom's Taxonomy. Students find a position to be formulated and defended, specifically the Internet newspaper or the traditional daily newspaper. Students create a five card...
Curated OER
Insect Monitoring
Students participate in an interactive activity using the scientific method to study biodiversity. In this insect monitoring activity, students simulate the layers of soil and the insects that would live there. Students design...
National First Ladies' Library
How Do Flowers Get Their Names?
Young scholars study Carolus Linnaeus and his classification system of plants. They examine the origin of both both common and scientific names of flowers. They speculate how their favorite flowers came to be named and brainstorm about...
Curated OER
The Arizona Hedgehog Cactus: Endangered Species or not?: Biology, Plants
In this lesson students will study the: "Classification of Echinocereus triglochidiatus and Geographical Ranges of its Varieties." Students read background material and scientific literature to analyze the cactus populations and then...