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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Tallest Plants ... are Trees!

For Students 3rd - 5th
A fabulous worksheet about trees awaits your students. They read a lengthy selection on the various parts of trees, then complete 13 fill-in-the-blank and matching questions about what they have read. An excellent reading comprehension...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Down There

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write an essay about the coral reefs. In this oceanography lesson, students investigate the reef of Bonaire and compare it to reefs that are not thriving. Students then explore the differences that contribute to the overall...
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Lesson Plan
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Mountain Pine Beetles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and develop power point presentations that answer the question, "What is changing our forests?" In this ecology lesson, students research the niche of Pine Beetles and their increased effect on the forests in...
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Lesson Plan
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Zoo Poo

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use Internet research to determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced per unit energy for biomass and coal. For this alternative energy lesson, students research to find out how much energy and carbon dioxide several coal and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Impervious Surfaces

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students compose personal mission statements that express their personal beliefs about their responsibility to the environment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watch Me Grow

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students observe that plants need air, food, light, and water to survive.  In this plant biology lesson, students observe the growth and development of two plants, one is the control plant and the other is denied either air, water,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eco-Kids: How Students Can Help Save the World

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. For this ecology lesson, 4th graders create models of wind mills and hydropower. They discuss the pros and cons of using alternative forms of energy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Fuel Sources, Usage and Alternatives: What are the Options?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify the different sources of fossil fuels. In this environmental science lesson, students research about how these impact our environment. They explore renewable energy sources that could replace fossil fuels.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Anomalies

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders participate in a simulation of a select scientific team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing Future Houses

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss the changes we face and what kind of future house designs students can imagine. They create a floor plan, make an architectural drawing, and write a short description about their future house.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment -- Unit on Globalization and the Environment

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the effect of human activities on the environment. They discover issues that are causing problems around the world. They participate in a debate using their own research.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Lesson: Renewable Energy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine renewable energy sources such as solar, water, and wind. They experiment to determine how renewable energy is transformed into electricity. They investigate the role of engineers who work in the field of renewable energy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecological Footprint

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover their own ecological footprint and create a plan for reducing this figure. They extend this to the school and community to see how they are doing on this scale. They discuss the concept of the ecological...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WHO CARES FOR THE LAND?

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the importance of natural resources. They are given copies of the story, "Who Cares For The Land," and students follow along as the teacher reads it. Students identify the key points in the story. (Soil, water and air...
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Lesson Plan
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WORM WATCHING

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars investigate how earthworms help build good soil. They examine the worms carefully to find the ringlike segments and swollen band at the front of the earthworm's body. Students take turns dampening the soil every day and...
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Lesson Plan
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Evidence of Climate Change

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine climate change in the state of Colorado. In this climate lesson, 6th graders watch 2 video clips regarding the topic and research the subtopics- snow pack, precipitation, temperature, forest fires, river flow,...
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Lesson Plan
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Land Development and the Environment

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the relationship between land development and the environment. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students explore how population density, land development, transportation, and impervious surfaces take their toll...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Seedling Planting- My Relationship and Responsibility to our Forests

For Teachers 4th
In this trees lesson, 4th graders read the book, A Tree is Growing and complete a KWL chart on how trees grow and how they are used. Students research the symbiotic relationship of humans and trees, create tree collages, plant a...
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Lesson Plan
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How do living and non-living structures affect coral reef habitats?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners create model coral reefs showing surface area and including examples of communities.  In this coral reef instructional activity, students research and explore the functions or benefits from a coral reef.  Learners...
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Lesson Plan
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Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers.  In this environmental lesson, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on the...
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Lesson Plan
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Go Fish! Exploring The Tragedy of the Commons

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students discover what happens when people take advantage of shared resources. In this ecology lesson, students explore "The Tragedy of the Commons" by playing a role playing simulation game in small groups. Students soon discover the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America's Energy Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write a proposal to save energy resources. In this energy lesson plan, students research nuclear energy, coal power, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy. Students then debate energy issues and share...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vermicomposting

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate composting. In this biology lesson, 1st graders identify ways to use garbage as fertilizer. Students examine soil and compost matter as well as the role of worms in the dirt.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flower Power

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students view examples of Robert Harris' artwork to identify and describe the ecosystems in them. In groups, they work together to discuss how ecosystems breakdown and create solutions to keep this from happening. To end the lesson,...