Plant and/or Animal

Low section of boy walking on fallen tree in forest.

Fallen Log

It’s amazing how many things live in and on rotting logs. In this activity, your students will become familiar with some of those organisms by observing fallen logs or other decomposing pieces of wood.

A lot of small funny birds sparrows sitting on a branch on the panoramic picture

Trees as Habitats

From their leafy branches to their tangled roots, trees provide habitat for a host of plants and animals. Students will inventory the plants and animals that live in, on, and around trees and discover how plants and animals depend on them.

Dandelion with seeds blowing away in the wind across a clear blue sky with copy space

Have Seeds, Will Travel

A plant is a biological system containing processes and components that enable it to grow and reproduce. By observing, collecting, and classifying seeds, students examine one aspect of a plant’s reproductive system.

Willow ptarmigan are masters of winter camouflage.

Birds and Bugs

Camouflage is an essential survival strategy in the natural world. Students discover the value of protective coloration as they pretend to be birds in search of colored bugs.

Close-up Texture of Eagle's Wing

Charting Biodiversity

Students explore the amazing diversity of life on Earth and discover how plants and animals are adapted for survival. This activity helps students understand why there are so many different species and teaches them the value of biodiversity.

Middle Asia and thousands Milky Way stars. Small part of Earth disk furnished by NASA/JPL ( http://visibleearth.nasa.gov ), stars and everything else are my astronomy work.

Discover Diversity

Students imagine that they are visitors from outer space, viewing life on Earth for the first time. By describing in minute detail all the life they find in a small plot of land, they will become more aware of the diversity and abundance of life.