Curated OER
Global Warming
First graders discover the effects of global warming on polar bears. In this life science lesson, 1st graders model the polar bear's habitat and observe what happens as they raise the temperature. They record their observation in the...
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Forces in Action
Students investigate questions centered around force and motion by going through the scientific process and creating fair tests and experimentation. In this lesson about forces-in-action, students diagram their findings and explore other...
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Forests Need People
For this forests and people lesson, 3rd graders brainstorm what forests are used for, discuss forest habitats, and how human interventions have affected trees and animals that depend on the forest environment. Students read the books,...
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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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Water Wonders
Students explore hydrology concepts. In this environment and biology instructional activity, students identify and describe macroinvertebrates using a variety of pictures and resources. Students observe and write about a classroom...
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The Great Barracuda
Young scholars explore oceanography by researching the great barracuda. In this animal life lesson plan, students read several vocabulary terms dealing with ocean life and examine a drawing of a barracuda. Young scholars examine the...
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Through the Eyes of an Owl
Students describe vertebrates in terms of observable body parts and characteristics and describe life cycles of familiar organisms. They identify familiar organisms as part of a food chain or food web and describe their feeding...
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Is This a House for Hermit Crab?
First graders identify text that uses sequence or other logical order. They identify and interpret how different plants and animals inhabit different kinds of environments and have external features that help them thrive in different...
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Interdependence and Adaptation
Fifth graders construct a food web to illustrate how animals and plants are interdependent. In this interdependence lesson, 5th graders identify how consumers, producers, herbivores, carnivores and predators are related in a habitat....
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Reversible and irreversible changes
Young scholars experiment with solids and liquids to find which solids will dissolve in water. This dissolution and mixtures lesson can be completed online or in class as all materials are connected to the lesson plan for both settings.
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Measuring Animal Sizes (and Relative Sizes in our Animal Environment)
Students discover the actual size and weight of many insects and animals. For this biology lesson, students investigate animals and insects to determine their actual weight and size. In groups, students create an animal or insect of...
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Animal Adaptations
Students focus on the pelts of fur-bearing animals native to Iowa to discover their different adaptations. In this animal adaptation lesson, students work in groups and examine various pelts to find information about the animals habitat...
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Is Your Spot Hot?
Eighth graders explore global warming. In this Earth Science lesson plan, 8th graders will look for Harbingers and fingerprints for different areas. The students will identify an area at risk and they will then create a presentation to...
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Nature, Red in Tooth and Claw
Young scholars explore the science and art of taxidermy, and research various biomes that could be depicted in museum displays. They synthesize their knowledge by creating dioramas that depict the diverse life forms typical of these biomes.
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Activity 2: Salinity & Tides
Students explore the effects of tides and salinity on an estuary. In this salinity and tides lesson plan, students complete 3 activities which help them understand estuarine systems. They study the tides in the Chesapeake Bay, they study...
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Teaching Kids about the Environment
Fifth graders identify the species of plants and animals found in an environment. They compare these findings to plant and animal species found in an unlike environment. Students acquire and compare soil samples from the two sites chosen.
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Micro-Organisms
Students investigate micro-organisms with an on line activity. In this micro-organism on line lesson plan, students identify bacteria, viruses and fungi projected onto a white board. Students work in groups and use a computer and an on...
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Using Electricity
Students read The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch to become familiar with the way a lighthouse works.In this using electricity lesson, student create lighthouses with plasticine clay and a working circuit. Students complete a worksheet on...
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Sorting and Using Materials
Students explore materials and their properties. In this matter instructional activity, students identify objects and describe their properties. Students test and sort materials using an interactive whiteboard, followed by a group...
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Friction
Learners compare and contrast the movement of objects on different surfaces, experimenting with friction and forces of motion. This friction lesson has numerous online tools including worksheets and virtual activities; the option is also...
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This Old Tubeworm
Students plot data to construct and interpret a graph about vestimentiferans at cold-seep sites in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep sea lesson, students plot data provided for the growth of tubeworms. They use the graphs to determine...
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My Wet Robot
Young scholars design an underwater vehicle. In this engineering lesson, students will design an underwater robot that includes specific systems for it to function properly. Each group will present their prototype to the class.
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What's Down There
Students write an essay about the coral reefs. In this oceanography lesson plan, students investigate the reef of Bonaire and compare it to reefs that are not thriving. Students then explore the differences that contribute to the...
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How We See Things
Students investigate how mirrors reflect light. In this reflection lesson, students draw the path of the light reflected from a mirror. Students construct a list of objects that are light sources.