Browse lesson plans

Animal adaptation

This lesson focuses on the adaptations, body structures, and behavior of animals. The students will explore animal growth and adaptations of animals. This lesson is designed to be taught during the reading of Stone Fox.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Development and Science)

By Jennifer Fessler and Karen Wright.

Animal environments: Day one

Students will group animals using common characteristics. Students will develop an understanding of animal adaptations. This lesson was designed to be used with the lesson "Diamante Poetry Using Environments: Day two."

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

By Cheri Cole.

Animal report

After studying the various animal groups, students write a report about an animal of their choosing using well-formed paragraphs.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Science)

By Kay Sims.

Animal slide shows!

This project is a culmination of a science unit on animals which integrates computer skills, language arts and art. After a study of animals which includes classification, basic needs of animals, animal adaptations, and animal behaviors, the students will use the computer to complete a slide show of one animal they have studied at length.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

By Margie Bartolomucci.

Getting down & dirty with soils

In this lesson, we will explore different kinds of soil (humus, sand, clay). The students will plant seeds in the different soils as part of further exploration.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts and Science)

By Amy Rhyne, Paulette Keys, and Sarah Carson.

Inquiry-based exploration of human impacts on stream ecosystems: The Mud Creek case study

This unit plan for high school earth and environmental science explores the impact of human activity on the health of streams in urban and non-urban settings. Students mimic current scientific research by measuring physical, chemical, and biological indicators of stream health.

Format: (multiple pages)

Introducing students to environmental justice: A North Carolina case study

This lesson plan for science and social studies uses the 5E model to have students consider an environmental justice case study.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Dana Haine.

Mix and match ecology: Human impact

This high-school biology lesson uses a group activity to teach students about the impact of human actions on natural resources.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By MaryBeth Knight Greene.

Mix and match ecology: Symbiosis

In this high-school biology lesson, students gain an understanding of the three kinds of symbiotic relationships by creating relationships between imaginary animals.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 )

By MaryBeth Knight Greene.

The Pit

The Pit is a game that can be played to review any topic. It matches picture game cards to target vocabulary on a game board. This particular lesson focuses on classification of animals.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Development and Science)

By Eileen Carter and Tracey Casto.

Trees of North Carolina

Students complete activities including tree and leaf identification, species comparison, online research, measurement, and creative writing in conjunction with monthly visits to the "Iredell County Outdoor Education Site"

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

By Amy Luna and Kathy Beck.

Resources on the web

American Field Guide

A collection of online videos that explore many aspects of America's wilderness from animals to earth and space to public policy. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS

ARKive: Images of Life on Earth

A digital library that strives to document and centralize information, images, and audio and video recordings of endangered and protected species throughout the world. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Wildscreen Trust

ASPIRE: Astrophysics Science Project Integrating Research and Education

Interactive science labs and lessons for teachers and students. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: University of Utah

Backyard Conservation

Backyard Conservation, from the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, demonstrates ways that conservation practices used on farmland can be used to conserve and improve natural resources on the land around your home and school. Topics... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears

Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, is an exciting online professional development magazine for elementary teachers which features content-rich web sites, interactive videos, animations, articles written specifically for K-2 and 3-5 students that... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: The Ohio State University

Biodiversity Counts

Biodiversity Counts is a project created by the American Museum of Natural History in conjunction with educators and curriculum specialists from across the country. The creators of the project believe that students learn science best by engaging in authentic... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: American Museum of Natural History

Biology Corner

This site provides resources for biology and science teachers, including lesson plans, web lessons, web quests, images, and quizzes. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Shannon Muskopf

c.o.o.l. classroom

Students will predict a plankton bloom, determine the displacement of a boat adrift at sea, predict good fishing days, and more while improving basic skills training, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Find video, printable teaching guides, and... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Rutgers University

Celebrating Wildflowers

Enjoy wildflowers in your region and learn about the values of these native plants. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: USDA Forest Service