PBS
The Caterpillar or Larva
The larval stage of the butterfly life cycle is quite exciting. Start a discussion about the specially designed body parts unique to caterpillars. After examining images of caterpillars, learners use plastic soda bottles, string, and...
Curated OER
Jumping Frogs - A Lesson on The Scientific Method
Students use origami frogs to experience the scientific method. They define different scientific terms. Also they test a hypothesis and draw conclusions from observations to go through all the steps of the scientific method.
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Blubber Gloves
The ways that animals adapt to their environments is quite remarkable. For this life science lesson, fifth graders take a look at some of the ways that aquatic animals that live in Arctic or Antarctic waters survive. They perform an...
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The Extinction and Rediscovery of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
An incredibly thorough, and well-designed lesson teaches youngsters about the presumed extinction and rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker in Arkansas. Learners discuss the environmental factors that led to the birds disappearance....
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Where Has It Been? Tracking the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
By studying the assumed extinction, and subsequent rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, learners use maps and come up with a scenario for the rediscovery of the bird. This incredibly thorough lesson plan is chock-full of...
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My View's Write!
After researching issues involving panthers, middle schoolers practice writing persuasive letters. They become familiar with a controversial issue related to panthers and write their position on the issue. This lesson...
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Who Cares for the Land?
A very thorough lesson plan focuses on what plants need to grow and stay healthy. There are excellent reading activities and worksheets included in this fine plan. A terrific way to introduce a unit on plants and their needs.
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The Ants Go Marching
Integrate art, math, life science, music, and fun in this beginning addition and subtraction activity. Children kinesthetically represent adding and subtracting numbers to 10; they stand up one at a time as you count forward and sit down...
Pace University
Grade 6-8 Living Things
What characterizes a living thing? Scholars explore the concept during a differentiated instruction unit on living things. They perform lab experiments to determine how animals adapt to stimuli, watch videos and learn about...
Curated OER
Peppered Moth Simulation Activity
Students simulate peppered moth predators using SmartNotebook. In this life science lesson, students collect survival data and analyze results. They explain the importance of changes in species over time.
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Plant Power
Seventh graders discuss the role of plants on Earth's biological system. In this life science instructional activity, 7th graders explain the process of transpiration and its importance in establishing Earth's climate patterns.
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Butterfly Lesson 2 - Monarch Caterpillar
Students study the Monarch Butterfly life cycle. For this Monarch Butterfly lesson, students examine what happens prior to a caterpillar hatching, how often it sheds its skin, and what the caterpillar goes through when it is...
Michigan Sea Grant
Great Lakes, Great Careers
Pupils play a question-asking game to investigate careers relating to marine and aquatic science, then conduct research to further investigate the career of their choice—examples range from marine veterinarian to underwater...
Curated OER
Puberty/Adolescence Overview
Students inquire about life science by completing a worksheet in class. In this human sexuality lesson, students define the physical and emotional changes which occur to male and female students during adolescence and puberty. Students...
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Diversity of Life: Geologic Time Scale
Students investigate the history of Earth by creating a geologic time scale. For this Earth History lesson, students practice sequencing events in their life as a way to get familiar with creating a time scale. Students...
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Creating Coacervates
Learners create and observe coacervates. In this origin of life lesson, students create coacervates by mixing carbohydrate and protein solutions. They observe the life-like qualities of the structures and discuss the origin of life.
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Pond Life
Students explore pond ecosystems. In this living environment lesson, students observe the local pond and identify the living things they find by drawing pictures. Students observe organisms that were found in the pond by using a...
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Global Warming: Life in a Greenhouse
Students examine the evidence that scientists have used to support the existence of global warming and the greenhouse effect. How the concepts have been developed and evaluated form the focus of this instructional activity.
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Life Science: Human Body Skit
Students create skits based on the human body systems. Working in groups, they role-play as organs in the various systems. They make costumes or wear signs identifying themselves as the organs in their skits.
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The Magic School Bus Takes a Dive
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students find out how partners can help run a race just as Wanda learns that survival on the coral reef often depends on cooperation.
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Seeds, Miraculous Seed
Students investigate relationships between plants and animals and how living things change during their lives. In this life cycle lesson plan, students split different types of seeds apart to see the beginning life stages of future plants.
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Introduction to Restoration Lesson
Students explore how pollution and invasive plants disrupt the ecosystem. In this restoration lesson students list materials that pollute wetlands, how people can keep them clean and ways in which invasive plants establish.
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Infectious Diseases: Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis
Students discover the different sources of pathogens that cause diseases. In this health science lesson plan, students explore different ways to treat infections. They create a persuasive pamphlet on their position on vaccination.
Curated OER
Fossil Fuel Sources, Usage and Alternatives: What are the Options?
Students identify the different sources of fossil fuels. In this environmental science activity, students research about how these impact our environment. They explore renewable energy sources that could replace fossil fuels.