Curated OER
Deep Sea Vents
Learners study the vent and non vent deep sea and see the differences in habitats. In this investigative lesson students complete a worksheet and work in groups.
National Park Service
Aspect, Treeline, and Climate
Head to the treeline and beyond to examine how this feature of the landscape affects weather and climate, which gives scientists clues about its health. Class members' observations of photographs provide the data that drives the...
National Park Service
Weather Patterns of the Pacific Ocean
How do oceans affect weather patterns? Learners define vocabulary associated with dew point, topographical lifting, condensation, and formation of clouds and precipitation as they explore the weather in the Pacific Northwest. They also...
Curated OER
The Elephant Ate a Banana in the Tundra
Students perform a scene with their small group. They identify an animal, act out what the animal does, where the animal would be found, and what the animal eats. They locate the animal habitats on a map.
Curated OER
Biome Bazaar
Students construct 3-D biomes. The ultimate goal of this activity is to allow students to be official tour guides and to teach one another about biomes, environmental responsibilities, habitats, and human roles in the various ecosystems.
Curated OER
Habitat Unit - Day 2
Learners explore abiotic factors that affect habitats. After a class lecture, students work in groups to answer questions about plant tissue, production and growth. They share answers, complete a crossword puzzle, and create a habitat...
Curated OER
Please Help!
Sixth graders examine the prairie food chain while designing a rescue strategy for an endangered species. They compare their strategy to that of a professional conservation expert.
Curated OER
Salinity Of Soil
Fourth graders investigate the contents of various types of soil to determine the differences in salinity levels. They conduct an experiment of observing the plants in the different soils. Students then determine survival rates by...
Curated OER
Camouflage
First graders learn how plants and animals adapt to their environments. In this camouflage lesson, 1st graders watch a movie that explains animal camouflage, design a butterfly that blends into a classroom habitat, create a mini book...
Curated OER
Make a Rain Stick
Young scholars create a rain stick to imitate the nature sounds in a rainforest habitat. In this rainforest habitat lesson, students create a rain stick to mimic the cultural tools used in the South American rainforest. Young scholars...
Curated OER
Alphabetical Autobiography PowerPoint
Sixth graders produce an autobiography, They complete a PowerPoint including one graphic image on each slide, and a subtle or moderate animation. They include 26 slides for each letter of the alphabet, use note pages to present...
Curated OER
Oceans-Coral Reefs
Second graders investigate coral reefs. In this oceanology lesson plan, 2nd graders discuss what constitutes a coral reef and the wildlife that lives there. Students watch a video about coral reefs and take an online quiz.
Curated OER
Learning From Leaves: From Observation to Inference
Young scholars examine the adaptation of plants to their environments. They analyze and observe the structure, shape, and internal structure of various leaves, and make inferences about the structures.
Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy: From America's Rainforest to America's Desert
On this virtual field trip, teachers will help their students travel to the lush, rain-soaked splendor of the Olympic Peninsula and explore the urban watershed of Seattle. Next, they will head to Arizona's dry, desert landscape and take...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Computer Simulation of the Sonoran Desert Community
The computer program's simulation of a Sonoran desert community should ultimately strengthen the student's comprehension of what is required for a natural ecosystem to sustain itself (remain in balance). This computer simulation program...
NASA
Climate Kids: 10 Interesting Things About Ecosystems
Discover 10 interesting things about ecosystems, including features of coral reefs, rainforests, deserts, grasslands, freshwater ecosystems, the tundra, the ocean floor, wetlands, boreal forests and big cities.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Desert Cacti: Fruit Producing "Trees"
Find out why native fruit-producing trees and shrubs are essential components of diverse habitats.
Other
Eco Library: Panoramas
Features amazing 360 degrees interactive panoramas for students to help them better understand ecological variation on our planet. Searchable by biome/ecosystem type, location, or ecological phenomena they depict.
abcteach
Abcteach: Habitats and Biomes
[Free Registration/Login Required] Find a variety of activities for children to do as they learn to identify varying habitats and biomes. Included are links to an even more extensive list of resources under coral reef, desert, grassland,...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Habitats of the World
This site has a lesson to use to start a unit on biomes and animal habitats. This plan incorporates grasslands, temperate forests, tropical rainforests, deserts, polar ice regions, and tidepools.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Science for Kids: World Biomes and Ecosystems
Kids learn about the world's biomes and ecosystems. The network of life and biodiversity needed for all to survive.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Exploring Ecosystems
Compare and contrast three very different ecosystems - the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Florida Everglades, and the Arctic Coastal Plain in Alaska. Learn what makes each of them unique, and about the adaptations plants and animals had...
Other
National Wildlife Federation: Happenin' Habitats: What Is Habitat?
Find an overview of what a habitat is exactly. Then, for more information, click in the left hand menu for different types of habitat: forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, and arctic tundra. Authors also offer advice on creating a...