Browse lesson plans

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.

Turtles are terrific

This lesson will engage the students in the study of turtle attributes and their habitats. The lesson will integrate science, math, language arts and computer/technology curriculums.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Science)

Using a Venn diagram to illustrate that bears and humans are both mammals.

Students use their collected information on bears to compare them to humans through a Venn diagram, as preparation for an introduction to mammals.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics and Science)

By Susan Lovett.

Web of life

Students will apply their knowledge of the different categories of species that live on Earth. Students will then use a variety of thinking maps to display their information.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

By Danielle Pickard.

What are the reasons animals use sounds?

In BioMusic, page 2.9

Crows are fascinating creatures. In this lesson, students will explore their complex communication and behavior. They will make connections between the crow's method of counter-singing with the call and response style of singing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–6 Music Education)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

What happened to the American chestnut?

In Restoring the American chestnut, page 1

This lesson is an introduction to the history of the American chestnut tree and how it was devastated by an exotic fungus. It serves as background for further lessons about biotechnology being used to save this tree.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)

By Shelley Casey.

What happens to plant cells in hypertonic and hypotonic solutions?

Students will be using actual laboratory examples and classroom examples to understand the movement of molecules across the cell membrane. Looking at weight change in potato cells, color change in diffusion, and the shrinking of living tissue will allow the student to experience diffusion and osmosis.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Tricia Kershner.

What is genomics?

In Restoring the American chestnut, page 9

Mapping genomes helps scientists study the location and function of specific genes. The process simulated in this lesson was used in the Human Genome Project and is currently being used by scientists all over the world to map genomes of various organisms. The lesson specifically looks at the use of BAC clones to make a map of DNA fragments which have been cut by the same restriction enzyme (a restriction map).

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Shelley Casey.

What sounds do whales use to communicate?

In BioMusic, page 2.8

In this lesson, students will listen to whale sounds. They will identify the difference between a whale song and a whale call. While using appropriate music terminology, students will also compare the similarities between whale song and human song.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–6 Music Education)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Wonderful whales

Students will gain knowledge of whales: the kinds of whales, the characteristics of whales, and the habitats of whales. Math skills will be incorporated into the teaching facts about whales.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics and Science)

By Robin Moss.

Woodworms: A study of natural selection

A study of natural selection and the evolutionary process through the use of a fictitious species, toothus pickii.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By B. Carl Rush.

The zoo is coming, the zoo is coming

The zoo is coming is a lesson that will give students an opportunity to write a letter to a fictional governor about the pros and cons of having a zoo come to their town.

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

By Steven Sather.

Resources on the web

Access Excellence: The National Health Museum

A collection of resources for the bioscience educator including current biology and health articles, biotech career information, web resources, online forums, classroom activities, and a peer-reviewed journal. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Health Museum

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

Animals versus people: Who's the better navigator?

In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore animal navigation and compare animal to human navigational capabilities. Activities in this lesson engage students in online learning, cooperative group work, and creation of a final project using technology.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

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

BBB Schools - Science Clips

Thirty-six science topics for students age 5-11 are explored through interactive activities and quizzes. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: BBC Schools

Becoming Human

An interactive journey through four million years of human evolution. Learn about the origins of humans through the evidence, the changing anatomy of our ancestors, our human lineages, and the advanced cultures of man. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: The Institute of Human Origins