Curated OER
Plant Growth - Light and Shade
Third graders conduct an experiment comparing plants. In this plant lesson, 3rd graders plant seeds and grow two varieties of plant comparing the light needed for it to grow. Students make predictions and record their observations....
Curated OER
"Habitat'
First graders explore and explain that different plants and animals live in different kinds of environments. They illustrate various plants and animals and how they survive in the places where they live. A nature journal for enrichment...
Curated OER
Unique Ecosystems
Fourth graders explain how in any particular environment, some kinds of
plants and animals survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. They research the ecosystem of which each animal or plant is natively a part.
Curated OER
Mini-Ponds
In this mini pond worksheet, learners create a mini-pond ecosystem with soil, water, and plant life. Students let their ecosystem sit for a day and they observe a sample the next day. Learners identify all the pond water microorganisms...
Curated OER
Weather and Seasons: Mt. Seymour Winter Fieldtrip
Students explore winter adaptations and glare. In this winter weather instructional activity, students discuss the season of winter and how animals and plants adapt to the changing weather. Students discuss the glare off snow and make...
Curated OER
The Deep
In this deep ocean learning exercise, students answer twenty questions after watching a video about the species that live in the deep ocean. Topics include jelly fish, hatchet fish, anglers, tubeworms, sea urchins, and plants that grow...
Curated OER
Forest Food Chains and Webs
Students explore forest ecological systems. In this ecology lesson plan, students classify forest plants and animals according to their ecological roles. Students play a related vocabulary guessing game. Students choose a card on which...
Curated OER
Soil
Second graders name the various materials that comprise soil, including weathered rock and other organic matter. They explain that soils differ in their color, texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many...
Curated OER
Summer Nature Activity: Carrots! Carrots!
Students investigate reading, cooking, and planting activities that teach that a carrot is the root of a plant. In this early childhood science lesson, students explore the world around them as they read The Carrot Seed and complete the...
Curated OER
Vermicomposting
Fourth graders explore insect life by viewing a soil presentation in class. In this composting instructional activity, 4th graders read assigned text about the process of composting soil and the necessity of soil in plant life. Students...
Curated OER
Salt is Good On Sunflower Seeds, But What About Cypress?
Students record their observations about growing a cypress plant and putting salt in the plant. In this cypress plant lesson plan, students observe and record what is happening as the cypress plant grows. This gives directions for...
Curated OER
Farming in Space
Eighth graders examine the ways that NASA could create space farms, In this space farms lesson students complete an experiment where they grow several plants.
Curated OER
Just Bee-Tween Flowers!
Learners examine the major plant and bee parts and the interdependency between bees and fast plants. They observe and record the stages of growth of fast plants, take photos of the plant's life cycle, and cross-pollinate plants.
Curated OER
Survey of the Plant Kingdom
In this plant kingdom worksheet, students will review the characteristics of the 12 divisions of the plant kingdom, comparing and contrasting their structures and life cycles. This worksheet has 17 matching, 5 short answer, and 5 fill in...
Curated OER
What a Weed-- Wanted Posters
In this science worksheet, students draw sketches of "weedy criminals" and write about their bad points and how we can get them under control. Students then draw "wonderful weeds" and tell how someone would grow them.
Curated OER
Radish Seed Garden - Growth Data Table
Radishes are great plants to use in any unit on gardening. They are easy to germinate from seed. The worksheet has groups of gardeners plant two radish seeds in one container, and four radish seeds in another. They use this worksheet to...
Curated OER
Fall Colors: How the Forest Makes Energy
Read about the process of photosynthesis, and how plants use energy from sunlight to grow. The reading passage includes a photosynthesis diagram and focuses on changes in leaf color occurring in the fall.
Biology Junction
Changes in Ecosystems: Ecological Succession
Can an area with no soil turn into a forest? Scholars learn about the process of ecological succession using an interesting presentation. It covers both primary and secondary succession in the building of new ecosystems.
American Museum of Natural History
Bio-Benefits
Kick-start a discussion of the importance of biodiversity with a colorful resource that touts the benefits of maintaining healthy ecosystems. The images stress the interdependence of all the elements of an ecosystem.
Exploring Nature Educational Resources
Building A Classroom Food Web
From bears and owls to chipmunks and trees, all life depends on the sun for the energy to survive. Young biologists develop an understanding of this big idea as they arrange this series of plant and animal picture cards into food webs...
Teach Engineering
Algae: Tiny Plants with Big Energy Potential
My, what big energy potential you have! Scholars learn about the energy potential of using algae as a biofuel. A PowerPoint presentation first describes the structure of algae and then how researchers use algae as biofuel to produce energy.
California Academy of Science
Sustainable Water Solutions: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Switching indoor water fixtures to low flow reduces water usage by more than 45 percent. This and other solutions to reduce water usage have both pros and cons. Scholars view videos of different solutions, discuss them in small groups,...
California Education Partners
Lashelles Garden
Let knowledge grow bountifully like plants in a garden. Given a diagram of a rectangular garden split into plots, scholars determine the area of the entire garden and the areas of the individual plots. As a culminating activity, they...
Curated OER
Dinofours My Seeds Won't Grow
Students listen to a read aloud, Dinofours My Seeds Won't Grow. They talk about what plants need to grow and study the parts of plants. They discuss what types of plants we eat after which they plant a seed in order to observe the growth...