Curated OER
Ocean Life
Students explore the topics of ocean water salinity, ocean life zones, marine life classification, and ocean food chains. They observe demonstrations, conduct experiments, complete quizzes and handouts, and analyze key vocabulary.
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Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries
Students research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations. In this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class. Students create...
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The Desert Alphabet Book
Learners explore world geography by researching a science book with their classmates. In this desert identification lesson, students utilize a U.S. map to locate the geographical locations of deserts. Learners create an oral report based...
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Capturing Watershed Experiences
Students observe organisms found in the water. In this lesson on organisms, students collect water from local streams and tributaries in order to study the organisms found in the water. As a culminating activity, students create a...
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Animal Life Cycle
Students conduct hands-on experiments. In this life cycle instructional activity, students are able to observe a variety of animals as they travel through their life cycle (brine shrimp, mealworms, frog eggs and chicken eggs). Students...
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SORTING ALL SORTS
Students examine how the method of classification is used. In this sorting lesson students take a pre-test, classify organisms and complete a crossword puzzle.
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Idea Mapping
Learners generate, share and display ideas as a group. They break into small groups to work on hand-drawn maps made up of concentric circles. they come before the group and make a similar diagram by charting each other's characteristics.
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The Extinction of Dinosaurs
Students study the life and death of the dinosaur by building dioramas. For this dinosaur lesson, students research the extinct creatures, then build dinosaur dioramas. Afterward, the students engage in a discussion about the extinction...
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Make Your Own Recycled Paper
Paper Lesson Plan - Students discover how paper is made. Working together, they make their own paper. This activity introduces students to recycling; what it is and its importance. Students study the process of how paper is made, and...
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Web of Predators and Prey
Students investigate the food chain by researching the Internet. In this ecosystem activity, students view the video "Competitor and Predator" and read a book from the series "The Magic School Bus." Students utilize a worksheet to...
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The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Learners complete activities with the story The Three Billy Goats Gruff. In this literature lesson, students listen to the story and then participate in shared reading. This lesson offers three extensions which link the story to...
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Where in the Wild?
Young scholars investigate the purpose of animals' ability to camouflage. In this animal science lesson, students read the text Where in the Wild? and identify animals that are predators and prey. Young scholars discuss how camouflage is...
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Biodiversity in an Estuary
Young scholars investigate the biodiversity in estuaries. In this estuary lesson plan, students use Google Earth to explore the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. They produce a biodiversity concept map and portray the life...
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Progression's Price
Students reflect upon their regional and national environments, analyze causes of environmental problems as well as their implications, and examine effects of population growth as they participate in "The Popcorn Game."
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Learning About Animal Shelters for Earth Day
Students explore habitats. in this ecology and animal habitat lesson, students listen to the book A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman. Students discuss the basic needs of animals and go on a nature walk to observe animal...
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For Your Eyes Only
Students complete several activities in a unit related to the eye. In this eye lesson, students work in groups to research information about the human eye and create a multimedia presentation. They research anatomy of the eye, how the...
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Aquatic Invertebrates
Learners examine the impact that human development has on streams. In this stream sampling lesson students compare macroinvertebrate data and graph it.
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Classroom Cladogram of Vertebrate/Human Evolution
Learners build a Colossal Classroom Cladogram of vertebrate evolution. After putting it together, they show the gradual, mosaic accumulation of the traits which we, as humans, possess.
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DNA-B-C's
Young scholars review what they already know about DNA. After reading an article, they discover a new technique to map the course of evolution. In groups, they create ways to present this material to younger children and research DNA's...
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Protecting Our Planet
Students examine the impact of pollution. In this pollution lesson, students watch Protecting Our Planet, then participate in a simulation of the effect of pollution on a variety of organisms.
Common Sense Press
What is the Skeletal System?
Students investigate the human skeletal system. For this biology lesson, students trace the outline of their body onto butcher paper and fill in the names of the bones. Students use an overhead transparency of the human skeletal system...
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Osmosis and Diffusion: Egg Lab
Students examine why diffusion and osmosis happen in an egg cell. In this diffusion lesson students demonstrate a semi permeable membrane.
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Examining the Effects of Pollution on Ecosystems
Young scholars examine the different types of tests used to measure the environmental effects of hazardous waste. They work together to determine the impact of pollution on different ecosystems. They read a case study and answer...
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The First Fire : A Cherokee Animal Tale
Fourth graders discover movement through the telling of "The First Fire", a Cherokee tale. Small groups are given sections of the story to tell by creating dances. Music (live and recorded) adds to the final performance and assessment.