Curated OER
Staying Warm-Keeping Cool
In this Internet research worksheet, students go to the indicated website and read about animal habitats. Students answer 6 questions.
Curated OER
Are You One of Us?
Learners compare and contrast insects and arthropods, identifying characteristics of each. In groups, they sort pictures of arthropods into the five different classes of arthropods. They also sort pictures into insect and non-insect piles.
Curated OER
Are You One Of Us?
Students discover how to classify things based on their similarities and differences. Students give the characteristics of insects and create a classification list. Given examples of various types of insects, students classify them...
Desert Discoveries
Lizard Dash!
Here is a terrific learning game that has pupils acting like lizards! Before the game starts, there is a class discussion on the differences between endotherms and exotherms. The main focus of the game is how each team must keep their...
Curated OER
Pets: Oh Behave
They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Why is that? Discuss with your class why people like pets and the responsibilities with owning one. They read an article about pet behavior and write a short essay comparing one of their...
Curated OER
Cats: Reading Comprehension
In this reading comprehension worksheet, 2nd graders will read a paragraph about cats and answer four multiple choice questions about the passage.
Curated OER
Manatee Vocabulary
In this manatees instructional activity, students read ten words that pertain to manatees. Students match these words to their meanings.
Curated OER
Worms, Nature's Recyclers!
Students study what worms need to survive in different environments. They study how worm composting improves soil and reduce waste. They discuss composting techniques and present a puppet show about a worm's life.
Curated OER
Follow a Fish
Students choose a fish from anywhere within the Ocean Center. They observe it for a given time, recording its behavior. Students comprehend the concept that living things have individual characteristics that enable them to live in their...
Curated OER
Where the Buffalo Roam
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
Curated OER
Biodiversity
Fifth graders visit the playground to look for signs of life. They search for insects, birds, animal tracks, feathers, nests, trees, soil, etc. They then compose a class list that shows all findings in the schoolyard and post it in the...
Curated OER
To Tell The Truth
Students create a faux ivory napkin ring using art supplies and knowledge gained from in-class discussions and teacher supplied information in this art lesson easily adaptable to a Social Studies or Language Arts classroom.
Curated OER
Marine Habitats of Galveston Island
Four lessons introduce elementary ecologists to salt marsh and sandy beach habitats. In the first lesson, they place shells and other materials in vinegar to determine if they contain calcium carbonate. In the second lesson, they read a...
Curated OER
Manatee Crossword
For this manatee crossword puzzle worksheet, students use the 10 clues and the word bank to fill in the blanks in this crossword puzzle.
Curated OER
Similarities and Differences
Students complete pre-visit and post-visit activities about the koalas they see at the zoo. In this koalas lesson plan, students read books, and answer questions about the similarities and differences they see when they observe the koala...
Curated OER
It Takes All Kinds!
Students view video clips and observe similarities and differences between animals. They sort animals into groups for a zoo. They make a graph of their observations and review scientific classifications.
Curated OER
Animal Classification
Students classify animals. In this animal classification lesson, students identify characteristics from each of the 5 categories of vertebrates. Students group animals by categories.
Curated OER
Animal clues
Fifth graders use general knowledge to make educated guesses about the habitat and survival strategies of animals from Australia, Antarctica and Africa. They research to confirm and check ideas and group animals in a variety of ways.
Curated OER
Hunt for Habitats
Students review components of a habitat and go on a hike around a pond and woods exploring different habitats and the plants and animals that use them. They examine mammal pelts and discuss the life histories, adaptations, and positions...
Curated OER
Maintaining Body Heat
Students observe and compare heat loss in various objects with surface area-to-volume ratios and transfer this comparison to the physical characteristics of animals in their environment. In small groups they conduct an experiment...
Curated OER
Furbearers of Illinois
Students study fur bearing animals of Illinois. They research a specific furbearer (it's habitat, diet, current hunting regulations regarding the animal, conservation organizations that help the animal, etc.) and give a presentation on...
Curated OER
Animal Playing Cards
Students research animal characteristics including information about mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish. They place the information into a database and then, create playing cards using the information.
Curated OER
Winer Survival
Students study how animals need water, food, shelter, and space to survive. They also study what animals need to survive in the winter. They play the part of animals and winter "threats" in a game of tag to reinforce concepts.
Curated OER
Taxonomy
Students work together to identify groups of endangered animals. Using a pamphlet, they group the pictures according to specific criteria and cut the pictures out and color them. They place the animals in the correct habitat and share...