Curated OER
For Creative Minds: Mountain Ecosystems
In this mountain ecosystems learning exercise, students read information about mountain ecosystems and study various diagrams about the environment. Students match animals in the ecosystem to their descriptions.
Aquarium of the Pacific
Ecosystem Comparison
Fifth graders examine plants and animals in two ecosystems and compare them. In this ecosystem survival lesson, 5th graders compare and contrast a coral reef and kelp forest ecosystem. Students investigate the abiotic and biotic factors...
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Pond Life
Learners recognize the habitats of animals that live near or in a pond. In this pond lesson, students examine pond water and look for pond organisms. Learners observe organisms with a loupe and complete a worksheet.
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Botanical Garden Field Trip
Young scholars take a field trip to a botanical garden. For this habitat lesson, students walk through the garden and see various species of plants and animals. Young scholars take a canopy walk and see coniferous trees. Students write...
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Using Venn Diagrams to Compare Two Ecosystems
Students explore the distribution of two ecosystems on a global scale; and map the distribution of tropical and temperate rain forests throughout the world. They use a Venn Diagram to describe these ecosystems and the differences between...
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Making a Terrarium
Students construct and maintain model of natural habitat, suggest improvements to the model of the natural habitat to make it more realistic and habitable, and demonstrate careful observation and recording of how animals survive in their...
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Garden of Eden
Students view a video clip about animals and their habitats. They work together to discuss how different animals adapt to their environments. They create a new habitat for a specific animal and draw new adaptations for them.
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Rainforests: What Are They?
Second graders investigate rain forests by reading a habitat checklist. In this environment lesson, 2nd graders read the book The Great Kapok Tree, and discuss what characteristics make up a rain forest. Students explore a habitat...
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Animal Habitat Dioramas
What a better way to have learners show what they know than with a diorama? Kids research an animal, its habitat, ecosystem, and environment in order to create a three-dimensional diorama. Have older children write a short paper on their...
World Wildlife Fund
WWF Together
Animal lovers will enjoy this award-winning picturesque app which educates children and adults about the threats of endangered species.
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Plant and Animal Communities
Second graders discuss the six main classes of animals: insects, birds, fish, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. They complete a variety of activities about animals. They solve animal riddles, categorize toy animals, create an animal...
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Learning the Causes of Extinction
Students are introduced to the five major reasons for extinction. In groups, they read scenarios and divide them into different categories. Using the internet, they identify which reason a certain animal became extinct. To end the...
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Nature, Red in Tooth and Claw
Young scholars explore the science and art of taxidermy, and research various biomes that could be depicted in museum displays. They synthesize their knowledge by creating dioramas that depict the diverse life forms typical of these biomes.
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Animal Life Histories Derived From Morphology
Students learn the mechanisms of natural selection by deducing information from the physical appearance of the animal.
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Forests, Deserts, & Grasslands
Third graders complete activities to become familiar with the content and vocabulary related to biomes and ecosystems in order to mainstream into the classroom.
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats -- Journey of a Drop of Water Through a Watershed
Students discuss pollution and the steps in the hydrologic cycle. They follow a drop of water through a watershed simulation. They discover the components of a water cleaning system as well.
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You Can Depend on Me
Students identify how they depend on others, and examine and discuss the images on the California Quarter Reverse. They view and discuss images of various habitats, complete a Habitat Research worksheet, and create a habitat diorama.
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In the Wild
Third graders examine the concept of ecology and how animals are suited to their habitats. In this animal adaptation lesson, 3rd graders identify a variety of plants and animal species that live in a Beech forest.Students create a food...
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Plant And Animal Adaptations
Students examine plant and animal life while looking at the environments the organismisms live in. They determine how form follows function by looking an aquatic turtle and noticing its feature of adaptation features. They work in groups...
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Now Hear This!
Students observe the differences between low- and high-frequency sounds. They research and compare the characteristics of various animals that rely on infrasonic sounds to communicate.
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Quadrat Studies
Middle schoolers use quadrats to investigate plants, animals, soils and weather. They answer questions as they fill in each quadrat. They share their information with the class.
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Critters & Complementary Colors
Students discover how specific colors compliment each other. Students use paints and pictures of animals to create a picture with analogous color harmony. They explain the characteristics of analogous colors.
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Conservation and Environmental Protection
Students brainstorm a list of environments and animals from around the world that need protection. They then design and create a slogan about an animal or environment and an environmental protection poster.
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Using Metric Measurement at the Zoo
In this using metric measurement at the zoo instructional activity, student solve twenty multiple choice problems about the weight and length of zoo animals using the metric system.