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Ecuadorian Rainforest: If the Forests Could Talk
Third graders explore the delicate balance the must be maintained in a rainforest ecosystem. In this ecosystems lesson, 3rd graders learn about the importance of "little things" such as bugs or a certain plant in the rainforest. This...
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Floods: Rising Waters and You
Students examine the relationship between human-made structures, flood waters and the increasing population through video clips, websites and a lab experiment.
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Discovering the Physical Geography of Washington
Young scholars develop a mental map of the state of Washington and draw it on paper. Using the Virtual Atlas, they identify the physical features of the state and draw them on their map. They also examine the populations and diversity...
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Gray Whales on the Move
Young scholars study whale migration and their natural history. In this migration instructional activity students plot whale migration on a map and describe their ecosystems.
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Life Beyond the Fifty Yard Line -- An ecological look at our backyard
Students, in groups, stake out and rope off their study area, do population counts and density studies. They construct a map of the whole area, collect plants and insects, and mount and identify the organisms using keys.
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Biological Succession in a Microecosystem
Students investigate the concept of biological succession by simulating the process in a microenvironment with various microorganisms. By engaging in a lab, students determine the factors causing succession and learn population sampling...
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Animals in the Wild
Students explore the role of snakes in an ecosystem and discover how snakes warn us that they are dangerous. They view and discuss a Discovery Channel video showcasing snakes in the wild then break into small groups to research a...
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My Spelling Words: Spelling List #169
For this spelling worksheet, students read and write twelve spelling words. Afterward, they solve a crossword puzzle using the words. All words are related to the ecosystem and endangered animals.
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Ecology Vocabulary Exercise: Wetlands
In this ecology vocabulary exercise: wetlands worksheet, students read the definitions of 8 words, then categorize a species found in a wetland in their region. This page has numerous links to helpful web resources.
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Pollinators and Wildflowers
Students explore how plants depend on pollinators to reproduce. In this pollination lesson students dissect a local flower and collect and identify pollinating insects.
Michigan Sea Grant
Wetlands
Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...
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Seeds of Wetland Life
Students participate in several activities on seed exploration. In this biology lesson, students classify seeds according to their dispersal method. They explain the different adaptations plant have to disperse their seeds.
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Wetland Plant Detectives
Sixth graders identify plants in the wetlands. In this plant detectives lesson, 6th graders complete a scavenger hunt on a local reserve, record observations, and respond in their journals.
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White-tailed Deer: Beauty or Beast?
High schoolers use study guides and videos to discuss the positive and negative impacts of white-tailed deer populations. In this wildlife management instructional activity, students view slides and discuss the natural history and value...
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It's all Interconnected
Students participate in a number of activities to investigate the food web, species extinction, predators and prey, and biological diversity.
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Australian Ecology and Bushfires
Eighth graders discuss the different types of ecosystem. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain the benefits and harm of fire. They research articles about bush fires or controlled burn instance and share it with the class.
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I Depend on You, You Depend on Me!
Young scholars explore the interdependency between humans and the ecosystems. They examine how uncontrolled development threatens the rain forests. They discuss how human actions affect the rain forest.
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Presenting Ecology through Rodent Control
Students role play the member of a health department task force. In groups, they develop their own recommendations to control the rodent problem in the area. They email their local government official and research information about the...
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Insect Biodiversity
Students observe the process of transect sampling using insect nets, to get a chance to compare the presence of different species and populations in various vegetational areas. They study the different specimens caught and compare their...
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Cypress/Tupelo Swamps
Students study the geologic history of terrain, soils, and drainage patterns. They recognize ecological processes that determine the dynamic nature of habitats. They investigate the influence of human activity on the landscape.
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Investigating comparative biodiversity of wetland and schoolyard sites
Fourth graders participate in an activity dealing with the environment.
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Estuary Issues
Fifth graders read a description of an estuary and search for problems that occur there. In this estuary activity, 5th graders mediate controversial issues for the best solutions.
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Compettion at its Best
Sixth graders role play predators, prey and other parts of the aquatic ecosystem. They show inter and intra-specific competition as well as the link between abiotic and biotic components in an ecosystem. Students play games about the...