Fourth graders are introduced to the concept of ecosystem; specifically, the interrelationships among plants and animals within an ecosystem, and their relationships to the environment in which they live and interact.

Students examine the concepts in the ecological organization unit.  For this ecological lesson students explore news articles that have to do with the study of ecology. 

Pupils study estuaries and are able to define one, and describe its features.  For this investigative lesson students participate in an activity that shows them the importance of estuaries. 

Students discuss the hierarchy of an ecosystem. They are asked what are the optimum conditions that support human life? Students are asked what are their personal "optimum conditions" are. They are given the following as the question...

Students are told to create a community using words or pictures. They walk outside to an area in front of the school which has a strip of grass, ditch, and corn field. Students discuss the difference between an ecosystem and a...

Students identify a food chain sequence. They compare, identify, and record the rodent skeletal parts to a rodent skeletal diagram. Students construct a rodent skeleton from the skeletal parts found in the pellet. They are given the...

Students comprehend the process of working within a commission engaged in examining public policy. They use a simulated commission that has been charged with the task of making recommedations for dealing with issues surrounding sprawl.

Students describe the importance of having a balance ecosystem. After a brief lecture, students give an explanation of the properties of an ecosystem. They create a web, using yarn which shows how the various members of the ecosystem are...

Young scholars observe and describe the cyclic nature of life. They identify and appreciate the importance of a balanced ecosystem. Finally, students compare and contrast biodegradable and non-biodegradable resources in nature and...

Students investigate the concept of how people are dependent upon natural resources and how they can apply them to be maximized in usefulness. The students are encouraged to develop an appreciation for the environment. They conduct a...

Students focus on the types of vegetation and animal life living around local water sources. This lesson can be adapted to any local water source, whether it be a lake, a river, stream or ocean. It has a particular focus on the bird...

Students explain the difference between each of three major ecosystems. They determine the flow of water in the St. Mary's River as it flows out of the river into the bay, and finally out into the Atlantic Ocean and identify where...

Seventh graders investigate the differences between native and non-native species. They answer different level questions using Bloom's Taxonomy. This is done creatively with the students playing a version of the game Jeopardy. Students...

Second graders investigate the life cycle of the brine shrimp. They use a variety of resources to find the details of each step. Students compare the life cycles of different organisms. They create diagrams of the different stages while...

Third graders study the diet of the brine shrimp. This is an introduction to a math measurement of a micrometer because of the size of the food brine shrimp feed upon. They make predictions about the types of food shrimp eat based on...

Seventh graders investigate how the ecosystems of the world has influence upon the immediate and nonimmediate environments. The interelationships of food webs is discussed. The class researches one type of ecosystem for a class project...

Students conduct a brainstorming exercise that asks them to list all the ideas about air pollution that can be recalled. The ideas are recorded on a chart that the teacher has prepared. The lesson contains sufficient background...

Students investigate the diversity of life that is found in Montana. They research some of the different interactions that organisms have with their environment. The lesson includes an extensive introduction for teacher information....

Fourth graders investigate riverbanks and oxbox ecosystem at the Truckee River. They observe the plants, animals, insects and water organisms located there. Students document water samples, flow and then categorize them in class. This...

Young scholars participate in a lesson that is concerned with the ecosystem of a local pond. The teacher makes arrangements for students to take a field trip. Time is spent in class for preparation and afterward for debriefing of lab...

Fourth graders explore the ecosystem of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex. In groups, classmates take pictures and research the species of birds and plants in the area. Over a period of time, 4th graders collect temperature...

Students explore the two types of spotted sandpipers. They create a puppet show using the spotted sandpiper from Puerto Rico and the spotted sandpiper from Alaska. Students research the habitats of the two sandpipers.

Young scholars watch the video clip and create a web map showing the cycle between producers, consumers and decomposers. They also tell why it is important to conserve the old-growth forests.

Students examine the influence of biodiversity on human culture through the use of birds. They brainstorm words that come to mind when they think of human cultures. They describe ways that human culture and biodiversity are linked.