Curated OER
The Gaia Hypothesis: An Approach to Problem Solving in the Environment
Learners are introduced to the Gaia hypothesis by examining a conceptual sketch. In groups, they analyze the way they can use Dewey's method for problem solving to solve problems within the environment. They are given a problem facing...
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Aquatic Ecosystems
Young scholars study ponds and wetland ecosystems and examine the food chains and webs in them. For this aquatic ecosystems lesson students answer questions about the diversity of the flora and fauna in a pond.
Polar Trec
Arctic Smorgasbord!
Two blooms of phytoplankton, instead of just one, now occur in the Arctic due to declining sea ice, which will have widespread effects on the marine life and climate. In small groups, participants build an Arctic food web with given...
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The Portable Niche
Third graders, in groups, research animals, plants, and conditions found in ecosystems.
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Circle of Life
Pupils consider why we eat and where our food obtains its energy. They illustrate food chains that might be found on an open field, dissect owl pellets, identify the remains of animals in the pellets, watch videos and participate in...
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Habitat survival
Sixth graders study different environments and how the food chain affects the survival of different animals. For this environments lesson plan, 6th graders share the visuals which describe the characteristics of the environment that they...
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Oh Panther
Young scholars play a game that replicates the balance of prey and predators in an ecosystem. In this physical education lesson, students follow the instructions to play "Oh Panther!" Young scholars collect data regarding the game and...
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Understanding Interactions Among Local Species and the Local Environment
Students examine the differences between biotic and abiotic factors, explain the difference between habitat and niche and compare how organisms get their nutritional needs. In this local environment lesson students trace the path...
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A Walk in the Woods
Eighth graders observe and identify the different levels of the forest. In this forest zones instructional activity students observe, identify and name a variety of forest components and describe how humans impact the forest...
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Ecology and the St. Lawrence River
Ninth graders complete a unit of lessons on ecosystems, organism interactions, and energy flow. They create a key for known species of fish, diagram the movement of energy through an ecosystem, and create and present food chains and food...
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The Biosphere
In this biosphere worksheet, students identify the different levels of organization that ecologists study. Students complete charts, sentences, and answer short answer questions.
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Heat 1
In this heat worksheet, students determine the heat gained or lost when matter changes phases. Students review the energy flow through ecosystems by comparing trophic levels and food webs. This worksheet has 10 fill in the blank, 5 short...
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Coral Reefs Endangered
Students identify different types of nutritional relationships in a coral reef system and trace the energy flow. In this marine biology instructional activity students create a simulation of acidification of the coral reef.
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The Many, Varied, and Unusual Places and Things on Earth
Students discover how energy flows through communities because of the relationship between producers, consumers and decomposers. Examining various ecosystems, they identify the materials that cycle continuously through them. They label...
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Food Webs
Students research rainforest animals and use that information to make a flow chart to show the order in which energy is transferred through several organisms. They label the producers, consumers, and decomposers in their chart.
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Earth Systems Science
Learners perform experiments designed to grow plants and bacteria in a controlled environment. For this ecosystems lesson students investigate varying conditions for growing plants and bacteria.
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Biomes
In this biomes worksheet, students review the characteristics of aquatic biomes and terrestrial biomes. This worksheet has 12 fill in the blank, 6 multiple choice, and 4 short answer questions.
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Columbus Travel Agency
Eighth graders research about their chosen ecosystem. In this life science lesson, 8th graders play the role of travel agents and create a travel brochure. They share this in class.
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Food Chains & Food Webs
Students examine the concepts of food chains and food webs. They trace back common food chains found in nature, demonstrate the interdependence of organisms through a food webbing activity, and analyze the flow of the food chain of a...
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Mini-Ponds
In this mini pond worksheet, students create a mini-pond ecosystem with soil, water, and plant life. Students let their ecosystem sit for a day and they observe a sample the next day. Students identify all the pond water microorganisms...
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Dirty Decomposers
Students explore the ecosystem by conducting a ziploc bag experiment. In this recycling lesson, students identify decomposer organisms in our environment and how they speed up the recycling process. Students utilize a ziploc plastic bag,...
Teach Engineering
Dirty Decomposers
Do not let the class just sit and rot. Pupils learn how decomposition and nutrient recycling is important to an ecosystem. Groups design an experiment to determine how environmental conditions affect decomposition. They develop a poster...
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Field Crops in the Agro-ecosystem
Ninth graders explore how to apply ecological analysis to cropping systems. In this agro-ecosystem lesson students study management practices including soil and fertility.
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Food webs and Energy Flows
Students become familiar with food chains. In this food chains instructional activity, students understand that as consumers eat other consumers energy is passed. Students understand the vocabulary associated with food chains.