Classroom Resources

Hi soil lovers, I just wanted to tell you about two fun paperback books on soils and bacteria that can be had for under $25, in case you were looking for an interesting summer read: “Life in the Soil: A Guide for Naturalists and Gardeners” by James B. Nardi (2007) “A Field Guide to Bacteria” […]

Plants & Pollen Resources

Nature Explore Education from the National Arbor Day Foundation: A complete research-based program of fun, effective resources to help educators, families, and others working to connect children with nature. Nature Explore Classrooms are being constructed at schools; nature centers; national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges; zoos; arboretums; and child care centers. They are appropriate wherever […]

Extension Activities

There are many opportunities to extend and expand the activities listed in this module. Several examples are listed below. Extension 1 The Great Plant Escape: From the University of Illinois Extension Service, The Great Plant Escape is an elementary plant science program for 4th and 5th grade students. Each of the lessons in this program […]

Vegetation Assessment Activity

This page includes supporting documentation for a vegetation assessment activity: Click here to download the activity Lesson Plan (in .doc format). Click here to download the Cfwep.Org Lesson Plan for conducting a practice vegetation assessment (also includes a practice water quality assessment, in .doc format). Click here to download the Cfwep.Org Plant Guide for Students […]

Birds Resources

Avian Science Center at the University of Montana: The mission of the Avian Science Center is to promote ecological awareness and informed decision making through the collection, synthesis, and dissemination of science-based information on western birds. The Center provides numerous outdoor workshops and educational events in Montana in the warm seasons. All About Birds from […]

Extension Activities

There are many opportunities to extend and expand the activities listed in this module. Several examples are listed below. Extension 1 The “How Strong are a Bird’s Bones?” activity from education.com demonstrates how strong a hollow structure can be using pennies and hollow paper bones. Extension 2 “Bird Beak Gallery” from Teachers’ Domain: It is […]

Identifying Birds Lab Exercise

Snow Resources

A Snow Crystal Primer by Kenneth G. Libbrecht from CalTech: A great introduction to the basic facts about snowflakes and snow crystals. The parent site, SnowCrystals.com, contains additional information and activities on snowflakes, including a Snow Crystal Photo Gallery. Snowflake Physics at TeachersDomain.org: In this interactive activity adapted from SnowCrystals.com, learn about snowflake formation. Explore […]

Extension Activities

There are many opportunities to extend and expand the activities listed in this module. Several examples are listed below. Extension 1 Symmetry Activity: Have students examine a number of objects in the classroom, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, to determine how many lines or planes of symmetry can be found in each. Extension 2 Symmetry Activity: […]

The Science of Ice Freeze-up & Break-up

Everyone who has lived in the northern U.S. has observed the phenomenon known as freeze-up and break-up on local rivers, streams, and lakes. What causes a river or lake to freeze-up in the fall? What causes a river or lake to melt out (break-up) in the spring? Have the dates of freeze-up and break-up changed […]