Curated OER
Stream Table
Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. Students complete...
Curated OER
Meeting an Earthworm
Students inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Students demonstrate mastery through differentiated products. Lesson...
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Reptiles and Amphibians
Fourth graders explore biology by viewing animal videos in class. In this amphibian and reptile lesson plan, 4th graders identify the key differences between reptiles, amphibians and other animal classifications. Students view video...
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Elements for Disaster Reporting
Young scholars identify the elements of natural disasters and gain an understanding on how the media influences people's responses to disasters. For this natural disaster lesson plan, students study the impact of natural disasters, and...
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Under the Spell of Spiders
Learners examine spiders. In these spider lessons, students will view spider images and live spiders to determine physical characteristics, habits, and habitats. Learners will examine fantasy and folklore about spiders to create and...
Curated OER
Identifying an Earthworm
Learners navigate the Internet to learn to identify Earthworms. In this taxonomy instructional activity, students explore species of earthworms finding their characteristics and using photographs to identify the species. Learners...
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Plant Nutrition and Nutrients
Students observe seeds growth and examine the different parts of the seedling. In this biology lesson, students compare the growth of seeds planted in soil and in hydroponics. They record their observations in their science journal and...
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Student Designed Investigations: Observations
Students choose an organism and create an experiment with that organism. In this observation instructional activity, students expose a living thing to something from its environment and record their observations. Students must have some...
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Plants and Animals, Partners in Pollination
Students participate in multiple hands-on activities to explore reproduction and pollination. In groups, using a cotton swab and powder, students simulate being pollinators and plants. They name the parts of the flowers and the function...
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Soil Treasure Hunt
Learners explore the concept of soil and decomposition. In this soil and decomposition lesson, students investigate bags of soil. Learners then learn how animals and other organisms help in the decomposition process.
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Animal Adaptations
Students focus on the pelts of fur-bearing animals native to Iowa to discover their different adaptations. In this animal adaptation lesson, students work in groups and examine various pelts to find information about the animals habitat...
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Fishing
Learners explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman. In this fishing lesson plan, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Learners research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Habitat Sunprints
Young scholars recognize various habitats and where they are found. In this habitat sunprints lesson, students observe the contents of habitats and record what the sunprint might represent. Young scholars use blueprint paper and small...
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Calling All Owls
Students research various types of owls. For this owls lesson, students observe owls and discuss their characteristics. Students go to an owl habitat and listen for the call of an owl. Students read The Owl in the Shower and debate the...
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Teacher's Plant Collection Guide
Young scholars explore a variety of guidelines that involve collecting plants in a responsible manner and participate in a plant pressing activity. In this teacher's plant collection guide lesson, students collect data regarding plants,...
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Learning About Plants- Flowers for a Special Occasion
Students explore the parts of plants and discover that plants need to grow. For this plant lesson, students discuss the parts of the plant and plant petunias. Students can share their plants with friends or families.
Curated OER
The Changing Coral Reef
Students record changes in the composition of a coral reef. In this Coral Reef activity, students recognize the needs of Coral Reef species to survive. Students chart changes in population over time. Students write an essay about...
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Filter Feeding in Reef Sponges
Students investigate the role of sponges in our oceans. In this biology lesson, students create a diagram visualizing how sponges bring food into their bodies through a filtering process. Students discuss the connections between...
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Old Growth Forest Mural
Students explore the four characteristics of an old growth forest. In this forest lesson plan, students research old growth forests and their inhabitants. Students work in four separate groups and create a mural for their characteristic...
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Above & Below the Pond
Students search for information and pictures about life in and around a pond. They visit a local ponds to sketch life that they see in the water and nearby. Students identify all plant and animal life. They find out what happens to pond...
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The Intertidal Zone: Tides and How Creatures Survive
For this intertidal zone worksheet, students study the various marine life creatures and list the characteristic that allows them to stay put in the intertidal zone. Students then draw or cut and paste the marine life and seaweed into...
Curated OER
Atlatl Lessons Grades 4-12
Students examine motion and how to describe it qualitatively. In this investigative lesson students see how aboriginal people were environmentally responsible.
Perkins School for the Blind
Creating a 3-D Model of a Plant Life
Instructing blind or visually impaired learners means you need to make symbolic tactile representations of various processes to provide as much input as possible. But wouldn't it be even better to have your learners make the models...
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Water Sources in Cape Verde and West Africa
Young explorers study the scarcity and importance of a continuous supply of fresh water in Cape Verde. They research the five main ways that fresh water is obtained in these countries. Each research group prepares a presentation, and...