Curated OER
Michigan Ecosystems: The Web They Weave
Students examine the forest ecosystem and how all life in the forest depends upon itself. In this ecological instructional activity, students participate in a personal connections activity where someone pulls on a string and everyone...
Curated OER
Prairie Dog Prognosis
Students discuss the transmission of diseases from exotic pets to humans. They research different aspects of particular zoonotic diseases from the perspectives of the animal vector, the parasite, the infected human, and the carrier human.
Curated OER
Habits: An Introduction
Second graders identify different types of habitats animals live in to have a better understanding of the world around them. They choose a habitat, draw a picture of an animal that lives there and list the unique attributes the habitat...
Curated OER
Rain Forest Stencils
Fourth graders explore animals of the rain forest. They create a drawing of an animal in the rain forest. Students research the animal and write a paragraph about the animal. They use a stencil to create a picture of a rain forest animal.
Curated OER
Desert Tortoise Adaptations
Students observe the Desert Tortoise in its natural surroundings. For this adaptations lesson, students study and take pictures of an animal in its habitat, then design a PowerPoint which addresses adaptations, biodiversity, and threats...
Curated OER
Invertebrates and Vertebrate Evolution
Students explore the major characteristics of the major animal phyla. They describe adaptive features that have contributed to the success of animals on land. Students explain how primate evolution provides a context for understanding...
Curated OER
Carnival of the Animals
First graders make a book that shows the different musical pieces in Carnival of the Animals that represent animals. In this animals and music lesson plan, 1st graders tell how they interpreted each part to represent an animal.
Curated OER
DNA: The Search for the Genetic Material
Students study the history of DNA and how to extract it. In this genetic lesson students complete a DNA experiment using bacteria.
Curated OER
Natural Figures
First graders look for geometrical shapes in nature to help them appreciate the diversity of the natural environment.
Curated OER
The Three W's: Wind, Waves, and Wings
Students participate in hands-on acticities to understand how native plants and animals arrived on Hawaii from long distances without the assistance of man. They then identify what characterizes a plant or animal as native vs. non-native.
Michigan Sea Grant
Fish Life Cycle
Fish are no different when it comes to a living being's primary objective—to reproduce. They do differ, including from fish species to fish species, in their life cycles, survival tactics and reproductive strategies. After discussion of...
Curated OER
Natural History of Costa Rica
Students use outline maps to become acquainted with Costa Rica. They see how it was formed and how its origin has created very diverse environments. Students then use atlases and compare their physical maps with maps of climate and the...
Curated OER
Digital Storytelling
Students write a personal narrative and convert the story into digital format. In this digital storytelling lesson, students write a personal narrative, record the story, create images for the story, add animations or transitions, and...
Curated OER
African American Traditions: Cameroonian and African-American Folktales
Young scholars compare Cameroonian and African-American folktales. In this folktales lesson plan, students participate in a jigsaw activity that requires them to read "The Owl Never Sleeps as Night," "Why the Lizard Often Nods," "Tappin,...
Curated OER
Building a Clay Neuron
Young scholars investigate and then build neurons in this lesson. They are examined as key parts of the brain and nervous system and seen as different from normal cells.
Alabama Learning Exchange
It's a Small, Small World
Students compare and contrast the different characteristics of animal-like, plant-like, and fungus-like protists. They list examples and describe the characteristics shared by the three protist groups. They create a brochure or slideshow...
Curated OER
The Intertidal Zone
Young scholars research the diverse animal and plant life that inhabit the intertidal zones along the Pacific rocky coast. As students progress through this lesson, they begin to recognize distinct behaviors, adaptations, and...
Curated OER
Different Types Of Bugs
First graders create their own bug that contain the different characteristics that a bug can have. In this bugs lesson plan, 1st graders first list 3 - 5 characteristics before they create their bug.
Curated OER
Water Quality and Dissolved Oxygen
Students investigate the relationship between dissolved oxygen and organic materials and aquatic organisms. This is a 3-lesson series in which students explore dissolved oxygen and then design an experiment testing the effects of changes.
Curated OER
Louisiana Cinquains
Students enhance their understanding of parts of speech by writing a cinquain poem about Louisiana. In this cinquain poem lesson, students read example cinquain poems and study the format for a cinquain poem. Students create a class poem...
Curated OER
Upon the Burning of Our House
Tenth graders read the poem "Upon the Burning of Our House" and complete analysis activities. In this poetry analysis lesson, 10th graders read the poem and create original scenes summarizing the stanza.
Curated OER
Geometry Gymnastics
Students identify shapes and manipulate 2 and 3 dimensional objects. They view objects from different perspectives and review relative positions (near, far, between). They sing a shape song.
Curated OER
Big Fleas Have Little Fleas!
Students study seamounts and learn the importance of structures to species. In this ocean explorer lesson, students participate in an activity that teaches them how to modify a seamount so that they are more suitable for species.
Curated OER
The Science of Weather: Hurricanes
Students use this USA today activity to learn about hurricane season. In this hurricane lesson, students study the map of the earth and hurricane science. Students complete discuss questions. Students draw a map of the United States and...