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Interactive2:41
Scholastic

Study Jams! Gymnosperms: Seeds in Cones

For Students 5th - 9th Standards
Two very hip teenagers walk through the forest collecting evergreen cones. One teaches the other about gymnosperms: cycads, ginkoes, gnetophytes, and conifers. He tries to convince his friend how amazing cones are, while she defends...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dichotomous Key for Identifying Pine Trees

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars identify the species of pine trees that are found in their area. They use unlabeled "mystery" samples and a dichotomous key to identify the pine trees to species. After identification, they use a field guide to answer...
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Activity
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National Park Service

It's Not Easy Being Grizz

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Grizzly bears can be up to 600 pounds and require a great deal of food, especially to survive hibernation. Comprised of multiple games, the third lesson of five only uses one setup. Pupils run around a large field, sorting and collecting...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecologist's Activities

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students construct a model of a biome. In this ecology lesson, students use a shoebox, magazine pictures, paper, and string to create a model biome. Students glue the photos inside the shoe box and draw other objects, such as plants,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Hunt

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students identify the common trees of Iowa and make observations while creating a key. In this tree hunt lesson, students write a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to receive a pamphlet of Common Trees of Iowa. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Birds and Birdfeed

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the basic survival needs of birds before examining a suet ball as an example of what birds eat. They conduct an experiment with pine cones, bird seed, vaseline, and peanut butter. By observing the birds, they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Be a Scientist: A Kindergarten Unit

For Teachers K
Students conduct observations using their five senses. For this science lesson, students describe different states of matter. They investigate the factors affecting mold growth.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals

For Teachers 1st
First graders study the basic needs of animals and compare them to human needs. They make bird feeders using milk carton and pine cones. They review the basic needs of food, water, air, and shelter and discuss what happens when animals...
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Growing Learners: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Investigating Plants and Flowers

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Engage young scientists in these inquiry-based lesson ideas to spring into learning about nature.
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Activity
Curated OER

Winter Play Pack

For Teachers K - 3rd
Uncover the magic of winter using this winter play pack. Fold it into a book for learners to work through as they explore wildlife during the cold months. They create winter ice art, go on a scavenger hunt for various plants and animals,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cricket Wars

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students investigate crickets in their habitat. For this insect lesson, students create a cricket habitat by using a glass jar with grass clippings and cloth. Students observe how crickets interact with each other and their eating habits.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Fires

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the benefits and problems associated with fire. They discuss the role that fire plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Students brainstorm ways that fire can be harmful, such as damaging homes, communities, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ACTIVITY 6: MAKE A FOSSIL MOLD AND CAST and ACTIVITY 7: HOW BIG WERE PREHISTORIC ANIMALS?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Instructions for two terrific ancient history lessons for your primary paleontologists are provided in this resource. The first involves the creation of fossil cast replicas using plaster of Paris. The directions are detailed, but the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fibonacci Numbers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students calculate the Fibonacci sequence of numbers. Through the use of Fibonacci numbers in flowers, leaves, fruits, vegetables, pine cones, and other forms of nature; students explore how Fibonacci numbers occur in nature. Then they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Touch and Feel Box

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate their sense of touch to help become more descriptive with their observations. In this sensory lesson plan, students reach inside a box to feel an object then guess what it is.  Students then use both senses of touch...
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Lesson Plan
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Rainforest Alliance

My Forest or the Rainforest?

For Teachers K Standards
The differences between tropical and temperate rainforests range from animals and flowers to climate and landscapes. Kindergarteners compare and contrast characteristics of their local forest to a tropical rainforest.
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Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Seed Adaptations for Dispersal

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
After a grand conversation about seeds, adaptation, and dispersal, scholars work collaboratively to examine seeds and record their findings on a four-column chart.  Small groups share their observations and further discuss seed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wetlands Are Wonderful

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study the characteristics of wetlands. They are introduced to terms and different examples of wetlands. The hands-on activity reinforces the different parts of the wetlands, and provides a working model of a wetland.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Five: Identifying Christmas Trees

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Stuudents distinguish between pines, spruces and firs they may see in their homes, by recognizing key characteristics such as shape, arrangement of needles and colouring. They recognize these same characteristics in trees growing outside.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Evergreens In Winter

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this identifying trees worksheet, students learn to identify 8 winter trees by their shapes. Students cut out flashcards with the name of the tree and its shape in silhouette.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Words Using the Letters in the Word "Porcupine"

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
For this language arts and science worksheet, students read a description of a porcupine. They make as many words as they can using the letters in the word "porcupine" and are encouraged to make at least 22.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Ecosystems

For Students 6th - 12th
In this ecosystems worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle with 35 questions about the different types of ecosystems and organisms in them.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Says Plants Can't Move?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discover how plants spread their seeds using other plants and animals. In this plant lesson, students role play different plants and how their seeds travel. Students then have a class discussion to ensure their understanding.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Sense of Nature

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners participate in this program that heightens their awareness and curiosity of nature as well as their sense of adventure and exploring new surroundings. They identify and choose an object from nature after exploring it with other...