Curated OER
Jack and the Beanstalk
Third graders examine a reading selection. In this fairy tale lesson, 3rd graders read Jack and the Beanstalk. Students are divided into groups and each group lists the elements of a fairy tale and writes a script for a puppet play of...
Curated OER
PROTOPLAST PRODUCTION
Students are allowed to strip away the cell walls of plants cells (using enzymes) and then observe the resulting spherical protoplasts (plant cells minus the cell wall). They see that plants cells indeed have a plasma membrane in...
Curated OER
Don't Wait, Just Propagate
Students explore the process of growing plants from seed. In this propagation lesson, students examine methods of propagation and determine how to rapidly propagate plant species. Students listen to a lecture informing them on the topic...
Curated OER
Give Me Back My School: A Back to Basics Approach to Ecological Restoration
Ninth graders research local geography to create successful, ecological school landscaping. They determine soil type, average weather patterns and temperature graphs and use the information to select ideal plants and plant maintenance...
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How Many Trees Can You Grow?
Students solve a story problem about how many trees can be planted in a given area. Using a map, they gather information about the size of the area and the dimensions of an acre. They use a specific equation to determine the area of...
Curated OER
Invasive Species Jeopardy
Student knowledge of exotic invasive plant species is reviewed through a class game. Review game is in the format of Jeopardy. Game rules, categories, and questions/answers are provided for the review of the exotic invasive plant species...
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Pollination
Fourth graders explore the pollination process. For this plant biology lesson, 4th graders dissect a flower to identify the parts of a flower and watch a video to see seed dispersal. Students write about the pollination process.
Curated OER
Flowers and Pollination
Students explore the environment by researching plant reproduction. For this pollination lesson, students define botany related vocabulary terms such as disc flower, petal and fertilization. Students dissect a flower with their...
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Ph-ocusing on Photosynthesis In and Out of the Garden
Students are introduced to the concept of photosynthesis. As a class, they brainstorm a list of what they already know about plants and individually grow a plant on their own in the classroom. They record their observations daily and...
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From Corn To Tortillas
Students investigate the food known as the tortilla. They research the growth cycle of the corn plant and how tortillas are made from it. The importance of the tortilla according to the Hispanic culture is explained to the students. The...
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Little Red Hen
First graders explore biology by identifying plant anatomy in class. In this botany lesson, 1st graders read the book The Little Red Hen and identify the methods used in order to grow successful plants. Students discuss other ways people...
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Cytoplasmic Streaming
Students prepare successful wet mount slide of Elodea. They determine and identify environmental conditions that induce cytoplasmic streaming. They determine the positive aspects of cytoplasmic streaming. They illustrate knowledge and...
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Loco for Cocoa
Sixth graders explore agriculture by viewing food related videos in class. In this chocolate identification lesson, 6th graders discuss the healthy aspects of pure cocoa and the history of the plant. Students read assigned text about...
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Soil Preparation for Autumn and Winter
Students determine how and why soil needs to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons. In this agriculture lesson, students determine how to use gardening tools safely. They show how to work with compost material and fertilizer to...
National Institute of Open Schooling
Radioactive Pollution
Radioactive pollutants can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, absorption, or injection. The last lesson in a series of 36 introduces pupils to radioactive pollution. They study its sources, both natural and man-made, its...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
How Appropriate is that Tree?
Young scholars identify trees and their environments using a dichotomous chart. In this exploratory lesson students use the Internet to identify conditions needed for the trees and what the climate is in their area.
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Wildlife Habitat
Students examine habitats and describe their elements. In this wildlife habitat instructional activity students study the factors that affect habitat and write a short report.
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Growing Tomatoes
Second graders investigate the growth of tomatoes. They plant grape tomatoes and observe them. They write in a journal and take digital pictures of their tomato plants. They create bar graphs to tally the progress of their plants and...
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Research
Second graders work together to research an animal. They write a short description of the animal of their choice and complete a worksheet. They also discover if the animal is a plant friend or foe.
Curated OER
Hunting, Farming and Market Gardening
Students examine the hunting and farming practices of the Black Pioneer. They identify crops raised by black pioneers, and explore the contribution of children to the success of the family farm. Students explore the importance of...
Curated OER
A Cultural Study of Arkansas and Saline County for Eleventh Grade Non-College American Literature
Eleventh graders divide into research groups and select a topic to pursue from a list that ranged from historical sites to local ghost stories to the nearby aluminum plant.
Curated OER
McCadam's Quarterly Report
Fourth graders problem solve a problem from a local business using data, generating graphs, and draw conclusions. They submit their findings in a business letter format with feed back from a company's plant manager.
Curated OER
Mapping a Stream
Students map an actual local waterway. They create full color scale drawings that include windfalls, plant cover, streambed composition, and landmarks such as trees, boulders, and slumps. This is a long-term project that involves...