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Taxonomy
Young scholars analyze the complexity of organism classifications based on certain criteria. In this classifying organisms lesson students study taxonomy and gather information and leaves to do their own experiment on classification.
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North Carolina State Plants
Fourth graders identify the state plants by describing clues to different contestants. They play a game in which the class gives hints to the contestants about what state plant the teacher held up. The first contestant to guess the...
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Arthropods At "Home"
Learners discover what an arthropod is and how they survive in our world. In this insect lesson, students read the book, A House Is A House For Me, and compare a home for a person with the type of habitat an arthropod lives in....
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Sociology: What is life like for Gulf Coast rice farmers
Students read 1 page about Gulf Coast rice farmers and then describe what rice farming in the U.S. is like in the United States. In this rice farming lesson plan, students tell why they would or would not want to be a rice farmer.
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Plant And Animal Adaptations
Students examine plant and animal life while looking at the environments the organismisms live in. They determine how form follows function by looking an aquatic turtle and noticing its feature of adaptation features. They work in groups...
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Living or Nonliving
Third graders brainstorm a list of the characteristics of living and nonliving organisms. Individually, they find four nonliving and living items and the characteristics that make them fit into one of the categories. To end the lesson,...
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Water Pollution
Learners investigate a variety of pollutants that can affect water and the plants and animals that live in the water. In this water pollution lesson plan, students identify pollutants in a bog, marsh, stream or other wetland area and...
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Now Take a Deep Breath
Learners research to answer questions related to deep sea diving. In this deep sea diving lesson, students answer questions on a worksheet using the Internet. They discuss pressure, gas laws, and the physiology of diving in the deep sea.
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Needs and Wants
Students demonstrate responsible consumer choices. In this social studies lesson, students read The Lorax and discuss wants and needs. Students discuss how to save natural resources by making informed consumer choices.
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Digging Up The Facts
Young scholars research environmental issues. In this environmental lesson, students use the Internet to research an environmental problem and list ten facts about it. Young scholars write a summary of facts.
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Camouflage, Protection, & Adaptations—Who am I?
Students explore ocean animal adaptations. In this animal adaptations lesson plan, students examine how different ocean animals use adaptations other than camouflage to protect themselves.
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Spectacular Squid
Students study squid including what family they are in. In this exploratory lesson students view a video, answer questions and complete an activity on squid.
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Orca United Nations
Students study the differences between sets of data and explain how organisms are adapted to their environment. In this marine mammals lesson students analyze data based on set criteria.
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It's A Jungle in Here!
Fifth graders research rainforest destruction. In this geography and ecology lesson, 5th graders work as a group to research the effects of logging, farming, and mining on the rainforest. Students gather and display data and information...
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Invent an Invertebrate
Design a new organism with recyclable art materials! After learning about the coastal biome, learners brainstorm challenges that a plant or animal may face. They use their ideas to create a creature, complete with environmental...
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Butterfly 2: A Butterfly's Home
Learners determine which environmental characteristics make up a favorable butterfly habitat.
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Butterfly 1: Observing the Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Students observe and identify the characteristics of the life cycle of a butterfly.
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Cicada Invasion
Young scholars consider how some animals, periodical cicadas, survive well in a particular environment due to the species' life cycle. They have a discussion about life cycles and how a particular species' life cycle helps it to survive....
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River Research
Young scholars use the internet to research the streams and rivers found in Illinois. Using the information, they identify and describe the rivers and streams along with the physical characteristics of a river ecosystem. They share what...
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Habitat Happenings
Pupils examine the characteristics of the Prairie Creek Habitat in Illinois. In groups, they travel between various stations writing haikus and reading brochures. They identify what occurs in each habitat and identify the animals located...
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Disney's Animal World Part 2: That's My Baby
Students see that baby animals go through different stages of growth during their life, just as people do. They use the downloadable Cyberinstructional activity Worksheet to reinforce what they have learned about animals and their...
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Merry Animal Masks
Students study animals in literature, science, or social studies. They design an animal mask based on the information they collect. Students create a 3-D animal mask and embellish it with details. They read a story or find information...
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Amazon Food Chain
Explore food chains in the Amazon Rainforest using this resource. Learners discuss the predator vs. prey relationships in the food chain. Then, they create a food web to describe this relationship. This is a simple and effective way to...
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Habitats and Functions
Students analyze and discuss insect diversity and all of the functions that insects perform in nature. They examine habitat and function cards, and distribute themselves by function and habitat.