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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Environmental Models to Determine the Effect of Acid Rain on an Ecosystem

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Demonstrate to your middle school science learners how chalk breaks down in a weak acid. Discuss what affects acidic rain might have on ecosystems. Lab groups then choose one of two questions: "How does acid precipitation affect an...
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Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Microorganisms in Pond Water

For Teachers 8th - 12th
That is living in the water? Groups of two to three view pond water with microscopes in order to find microorganisms. They draw pictures of the ones they find in their slides.  The groups compare their drawings to pictures of common pond...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond Life

For Teachers K - 3rd
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dissolved Oxygen in an Aquatic Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain why dissolved oxygen is important in aquatic ecosystems. They evaluate the optimal dissolved oxygen levels for living organisms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Local Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe a local area for living organisms and their habitats.  In this local ecosystems lesson, students complete an online field journal.  Students share their findings and sort them into categories. Students visit a website to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dibble Pond Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students collect specimen and analyze it. In this biology activity, students analyze and evaluate the diversity found in specific environment. They use the correct terminology as they do their write up for the experiment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Marvels of Mud

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Young scientists roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty in this three-day earth science investigation. Following the scientific method, children monitor the growth of algae in pond water samples in order to determine the role that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wild and Wetlands

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Upper graders identify the major characteristics of a wetland. They explore the human factors that change a wetland and write a descriptive paragraph about wetlands. This comprehensive lesson also has an interactive "Watershed Game"...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond Ecology

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine pond ecology, testing how temperature affects the respiration rate of fish. They collect various living things found at a pond, and identify the animal and plant life discovered. They observe a pond community in an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eutrophication

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students observe the effects of eutrophication and determine why it is harmful to aquatic ecosystems. They create mason jar ecosystems to observe the growth of algae in pond water. In addition, they observe the effect of introducing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Local Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate the habitats of local plants and animals. They explore some of the ways animals depend on plants and each other. Students observe living organisms in a local ecosystem and create detailed drawings and descriptions...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Pond Habitat

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students create a pond habitat inside and outside their classroom. In this pond lesson plan, students create a habitat with animals, water, and plants in order to create a proper pond habitat.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Norman Suburban Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the factors affecting organisms in the pond ecosystem. In this environmental science lesson, students perform an experiment to determine pH, nutrients and temperature of different pond sites. They present their result to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does the Introduction of Pesticides and Fertilizers Alter an Aquatic Ecosystem?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students conduct an experiment using a small sample from a local water source. They introduce fertilizers and pesticides, separately, and carefully examine the results in their simulated aquatic ecosystem.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

A Survey of Plankton Communities

For Students 9th - 10th
In this biology worksheet, students identify and define the vocabulary terms listed and make a prediction about the outcomes of the experiment. Then they complete the chart of the observations of the plankton diversity in drops of pond...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond 1: Pond Life

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners work together to investigate familiar and unfamiliar ecosystems. Using the internet, they discover how different organisms use their environment to satisfy their needs. They also examine the relationshiops between organisms...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organic Materials in an Aquatic Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students evaluate the relationship between oxygen levels and the amount of organic matter in an aquatic ecosystem. They explain the relationship between oxygen levels, bacteria and the breakdown of organic matter using an indicator...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students study ponds and wetland ecosystems and examine the food chains and webs in them.  In this aquatic ecosystems lesson plan students answer questions about the diversity of the flora and fauna in a pond. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Woods and Pond

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars explore nature in a living, experiencing way. In this woods and ponds lesson plan, students recognize that ponds/woods environments are ecosystems, identify three of the trees in the area by their leaves and bark...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Woods and Pond

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students participate in hands-on activities to explore their natural surroundings. They recognize that ponds and woods are ecosystems and compare differences between the two. They identify trees by their bark and leaves.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Daphnia and Algae: A Study of Pond Dynamics

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students observe interrelationships and interdependencies of organisms which may generate stable ecosystems. They also study that living organisms have the capacity to produce infinite sized populations, but environments and resources...
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Activity
It's About Time

The Nitrogen and Phosphorous Cycles

For Teachers 7th - 12th
How do we affect the ecosystem, and what can we do to preserve it? Pupils explore chemicals that promote and inhibit plant growth, then discuss the importance of nitrogen and phosphorus to the survival of organisms and describe how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Wrong with My Pond?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine various pond water samples to identify water quality. In this water quality lesson, students will identify levels of nitrates, ammonia, pH, hardness,and alkalinity in pond water. They will explain importance of water...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inquiry-based Investigations into Pond Water Microorganisms

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils become familiar with common microorganisms and experience exploring the microbial world.