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ATTRIBUTE TO A LEAF!
Author: Diane Baucom
Grade 3
Time:1 hour
Students will learn the attributes and uses of trees. They will
develop a definition of an attribute and discover how attributes
aid in identification of various kinds of leaves. They will form
a leaf collection and learn to identify different types of trees
by finding and collecting leaves with given attributes.
COOKIE FRAMES
Author: Linda Melcher
Grade: 7-8
Time: 3 hours
Students will learn to identify the parts of a tree. They will
make and label representations of tree cross sections (cookie frames).
They will learn to recognize the influence of environmental factors
- fire, water, sunlight, etc. - on trees and will identify such
changes in a tree's life history using a "tree cookie".
The
Dynamics of a Longleaf Ecosystem: A Variation into Teaching Ecology
(New
Lesson)
Author: Laura C. Bellum
Grade: 9-10
Time: 7.5 hours
Students learn the nature of a longleaf pine ecosystem.
They calculate the seedling survival rate of a newly planted
stand of timber. Students
explore concepts of food chains and food webs and learn to
understand and explain the nitrogen and carbon cycles.
They use a dichotomous key to identify various species of
trees. Students observe
and learn to recognize a variety of wildlife and associated habitat.
HARVESTING TREES AS A CROP
Author: Abraham Funchess
Grade: 6
Time: 1.5 hours
Students learn how foresters manage and maintain the forest as
a continually producing crop. They learn how to make
such forest measurements and calculations as tree circumference,
tree diameter and tree height. Students determine tree volume
in board feet and calculate how many trees are required to build
an average house.
IDENTIFICATION OF TREES AND POPULATION
ESTIMATES BY SAMPLING
Author: Janis Stiefel
Grade: 6
Time: Variable
Students will use leaf and growth characteristics to identify common
species of SC trees. They will learn and use a population sampling
technique to estimate the abundance of a particular tree species
in a given area.
Keys
To Trees - Dichotomous Tree Identification
(New
Lesson)
Author:
R. Calvert Sherard, Jr
Grade: 9
Time: 4.5
hours
Students learn how to use dichotomous keys of leaf and growth characteristics
to identify common species of South Carolina trees. They gain experience in collecting, pressing, mounting and
labeling leaf specimens for a reference collection.
SEE THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES
Author: Wendy Bramlett
Grade: 7
Time: 7.5 hours
Students learn the nature of a forest and identify tree parts and
their functions. They make common forest measurements and calculations
such as tree circumference, tree diameter, volume of wood and the
age of individual trees. Students explore the concepts of
trees as a renewable resource and sustainable forest management.
They write a poem on a forestry related subject.
TREE INVENTORY
Author: Sue Dempsey
Grade: 6-8
Time: 5 hours
Students will learn techniques for inventorying the numbers and
types of trees in a given area. They will learn to identify various
species of trees and to distinguish between hardwoods and softwoods.
They will become familiar with various types of forestry measurements
and will use them to construct a map of the study area.
TREes
Around The School
(New
Lesson)
Author:
Sadie Cooper
Grade: 9
Time: 3.6 to 4.5 hours
Students use a dichotomous key to identify various species of trees.
They learn to use a Biltmore Stick to measure tree diameter.
Students use computer technology and spreadsheet software
to display this data in tabular form. They gain proficiency in converting
English units of measurement to SI units.
UP A TREE
Author: Joanna Stegall
Grade:4-6
Time:16-18 hours
Students will select, describe, and map the location of a "personal"
tree. They will learn about leaf characteristics, and the nature
and functions of the bark, trunk, and roots of trees. They will
study and observe the life cycle of a tree during the changing seasons.
WHAT
HAPPENS IN A LEAF?
(New
Lesson)
Author:
Dr. Larry M. Kowalski
Grade:
4
Time:
Variable - Depending (GATE)
On Activities Used
Students observe, understand, and explain the plant processes of
photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration and determine the
effects of sunlight on plants.
They use hands-on activities to explore the nature of plants’
photosynthetic activities.
They observe and collect data on how varying the available
light affects photosynthetic activity.
WHO, WHAT, WHERE OF A FOREST
Author: Sharolyn Inman
Grade: 2
Time: 2-3 weeks
Students learn about the basic needs and functioning of forests
and the similarities and differences between specific types of forests.
They learn about the products we obtain from forests and the numerous
other benefits forests provide. Students then compare and
contrast a tropical rain forest with a typical forest in South Carolina.
CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF
ROCKS
Author: Larry Perry
Grade: 5
Time: 3 Hours
Students learn how to classify rocks as sedimentary, igneous, or
metamorphic. They learn how to use dichotomous keys to identify
unknown samples of rocks.
GEOLOGY AND FOSSIL FORMATION IN SOUTH
CAROLINA
Author: Nancy James
Grade: 5
Time: 3 Hours
Students will learn about the geologic history of South Carolina
and about fossils common to this area. They will learn to identify
South Carolina's three geologic provinces and will make a model
of them to demonstrate the processes of fossil formation in this
state.
MINERALS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Author: Brenda C. Hardwick
Grade: 5
Time: 3 Hours
Students will learn to identify minerals common to South Carolina,
the rocks of which these minerals are constituent parts and will
classify them into the four major types. They will learn to understand
the formation of rocks by observing and participating in the laboratory
representation of the origin of extrusive, intrusive, metamorphic
and sedimentary rocks. They will become familiar with minerals of
economic value in South Carolina and locations where they are mined.
MINI-UNIT ON SOIL TEXTURE
Author: Jodi Watjen
Grade: 10
Time: 4 Hours
Students will test and compare soil properties based on such physical
characteristics as: texture, particle size, air space, water availability
and permeability. They will explore the relationship of soil texture
to these and other soil properties.
ORGANISMS IN THE SOIL
Author: Valerie Waites
Grade: 9-12
Time: 4 Hours
Students will learn the layering of forest soils, and will isolate
and identify soil macro-organisms found therein. They will collect
soil samples and will grow, and observe, microorganism cultures
from them. Students will study the organic matter component of the
soil and will determine the relationship between the amount of organic
matter present in a particular soil and number of organisms that
live therein.
POTTING SOIL OR YOUR SOIL, WHICH
IS BETTER FOR PLANT GROWTH?
Author: Chantalle Blackburn
Grade: 7
Time: 4-6 weeks
Students collect soil samples and test for pH levels. They
compare the pH of the soil samples with that of potting soil and
plant, nurture and observe wildflowers in the different media.
They record the growth rates over time and, by analyzing this growth
data, assess the compatibility of soil pH levels with different
plant varieties.
RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY SOIL
Author: Gloria Eaves
Grade: 11-12
Time: Variable
Students will learn procedures for measuring soil pH and its influence
on the composition of the plant community. They will compare the
pH of several soil samples, before and after the addition of fertilizer,
and will chemically examine the soil's ability to absorb acid rain
and the effect of acid rain on the availability of plant nutrients.
THE
ROCK CYCLE
(New
Lesson)
Author:
Jody Steele
Grade: 6-8
Time: 7.5
hours
Students investigate and model the processes involved in forming
the three basic types of rocks - igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. They examine various rock samples and learn to identify them.
Students develop an understanding of, and are able to explain,
the Rock Cycle.
SOIL
ORGANISMS
(New
Lesson)
Author: Kevin Jones
Grade: 9-10
Time: 5 hours
Students collect soil samples from various sites with different
conditions. They isolate
the macro-organisms from these soil samples and classify them using
a dichotomous key. Students
then quantitatively compare how differing soil conditions affect
the quantity and variety soil organisms.
They then develop and use graphs to analyze and illustrate
soil organism population trends.
SOIL PROFILE AND
PERCOLATION RATE
Author: Evalina Montgomery
Grade: 8
Time: Variable
Students will learn about the physical properties of soil and factors
that affect moisture retention. They will collect, observe and describe
soil samples and will test them for percolating ability.
ECOLOGY OF A FRESH WATER POND
Author: Jerry Hass
Grade: 10-12
Time: 5 hours
Students observe and identify plant and animal life forms in a
fresh water pond. They perform chemical tests to determine
water quality and use sampling and analysis techniques to investigate
some of the basic survival needs of aquatic organisms. They
identify habitat components, determine/hypothesize limiting factors,
and construct a food chain.
THE EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON OUR RIVERS,
LAKES, AND WETLANDS
Author: Janice Gartman Lee
Grade: 11-12
Time: 18 hours
Students learn about the causes and effects of pollution of rivers
and lakes. They learn ways to reduce or correct these problems. Students
collect water samples from a local stream and chemically test them
for pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates and heavy metals. They
learn about wetlands and their contribution to filtering pollution
out of an aquatic system.
MINI UNIT OF WATER
Author: Susan Hicks
Grade: 2 Specl Ed
Time: 2 weeks
Students identify the ways we use water and describe ways to use
water wisely. They describe examples of water pollution and learn
how polluted water can be filtered. Students observe on field
trips to a water treatment plant and a sanitation treatment plant
how drinking water and waste water are chemically and mechanically
processed.
TEACHING UNIT ON THE WETLANDS
Author: Betty Pelzer
Grade: 6-8
Time: Variable
Students will construct a simple model of a wetlands and will learn
the characteristics of a wetlands. Using this acquired knowledge,
they will learn to use maps to identify and locate wetlands. They
will visit a wetlands and, by observing its characteristics and
flora and fauna, will develop an increased appreciation for the
uniqueness and importance of this habitat type.
TEACHING UNIT ON WETLANDS
Author: Jimmie Rogers
Grade: 9-10
Time: 2 hours
Students learn the characteristics and functions of different types
of wetlands. They learn the importance of wetlands and some
measures that may be taken to protect/preserve/restore them. During
a field trip to a nearby wetlands students observe and record data
on the nature of the hydrology, plant community and animal habitat.
WETLANDS
Author: Elaine B. McClure
Grade: 4-5
Time: 6 Hours
Builds on previous lesson(s) on definition and types of wetlands;
students will review and become more knowledgeable of the various
types of wetlands and their defining characteristics. They will
concentrate on the functions of wetlands and their importance to
wildlife and mankind.
WHAT IS A WETLAND? CAN WE FIND
OR MAKE ONE?
Author: Tim Skripps
Grade: 6
Time: 5 hours
Students learn about the characteristics of various types of wetlands
and how to recognize them. They learn the functions of wetlands
and their importance to wildlife, plants and mankind, and apply
their knowledge by constructing a wetland area on their school site.
WONDERFUL WATER
Author: Patricia M. Ruff
Grade: 3-5, Learn. Disab., Slf Contained
Time: 5 hours + 2 hour field trip
Students learn the characteristics of wetlands and their importance
to wildlife and humans. They identify aquatic and wetland
plants and learn how to press and preserve plant specimens.
During two field trips to aquatic sites students learn techniques
for identifying wetlands and acquire an awareness and appreciation
of wetland ecology.
ANIMAL TREASURE HUNT
Author: Carlos R. Burgess
Grade: K-5
Time: 1-2 hours
Students learn about the interrelated nature of plant and animal
populations and how they are all dependent on the non-living components
of their environment. They go on an animal treasure hunt in their
school yard to explore that habitat and look for signs of animals
living there.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Author: Denise Haselden
Grade: 6
Time: 3 Hours
Students will learn about the anatomy and morphology of birds and
will develop an appreciation for the interrelationship between body
structure and behavior. They will apply this knowledge by "adopting",
observing and describing a bird that frequents the area near their
homes. They will design a bird that has features indicating physiologic
adaptation to its particular habitat and will demonstrate its hypothesized
walk and song.
THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AND ITS
EFFECT ON THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES - WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS
ON THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER
Author: Hallie C. Colter
Grade: 7-8
Time: 3 Hours
Students will learn about the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and
the extensive efforts in the state of South Carolina to protect
the red-cockaded woodpecker. They will conduct group research on
selected endangered species and thus develop a greater appreciation
of the plight of threatened and endangered species, and some of
the factors that must be considered in such species protection decision
making.
ESTABLISHING A WOOD DUCK NESTING
AREA
Author: Susan Mazur
Grade: 7
Time: Variable
Students will study wood duck nesting habits, apply what they learn
in choosing appropriate nesting box locations, install boxes, follow
through with data collection and reporting, and will analyze and
interpret collected data. They will increase their understanding
of relationships between wood ducks and their habitats, predator-prey
relationships, competition for resources, and human impact on the
environment.
EVERYBODY NEEDS A HOME
Author: Terry D. Rowell
Grade: 9-12
Time: 3 Hours
Students will individually observe wildlife in their habitat to
obtain a better understanding of habitat requirements of various
species. They will draw upon this knowledge to predict the impact
that various natural or human modifications to the area will have
on selected species of wildlife, and thus develop a better understanding
of how land use decisions or natural disasters can affect wildlife.
FOOD CHAINS AND HABITATS
Author: Linda Davis
Grade: 3-4
Time: 5-10 hours
Students learn to categorize animals as herbivores, carnivores or
omnivores. They examine the predator/prey concept and construct
a food chain. Students study where different animals live and how
they are adapted to their habitats. They complete a creative writing
activity.
GENTLE GIANTS
Author: Evelyn Neal
Grade: 4-6
Time: 7+ hours
Students gain an understanding of the concept of "threatened
and endangered species". They learn about "endangered"
North American animals, with in-depth focus on the manatee. Students
become more informed on how individuals can help protect the manatee's
habitat.
THE IMPACT OF A BIRD FEEDER ON THE
ENVIRONMENT
Author: Lois Smith
Grade: 6+
Time: 1 School Year
Students will hang a bird feeder and will, over a one school year
period of time, determine the changes in the surface, the animal
population, and plant population of the one square meter of soil
area immediately below it. They will learn sampling procedures to
estimate the before and after populations of the plants and animals,
and will become familiar with the food requirements of different
bird species.
LEAPING INTO FROGS
Author: Allison James
Grade: 2-3
Time: 7+ hours
Students observe and examine frogs and learn about how frogs fit
into the ecosystem. They monitor and maintain a journal of the growth
process of frogs from egg to adult. Students make a food chain of
a frog habitat and illustrate the life cycle of a frog.
Living
on the “Edge”
(New
Lesson)
Author:
Robert Kirby
Grade: 7
Time: 9 hours
Students
learn to identify and describe ecotones.
They explore the difference in habitat requirements of different
animal species and gain understanding of the importance of ecotones
to biological diversity. Students create scent stations and learn their use in assessing
animal abundance and diversity.
They make plaster casts of animal tracks and learn how to
identify the tracks of a variety of animals.
A MOBILE ANIMAL
Author: Deborah Minick
Grade: 9-12
Time: 1 Week (min)
Students will observe and research a wild animal that is common
to their area. They will maintain an observation "journal",
and will create a "mobile" display of habitat, range,
and life history information learned about that species, and will
write an essay from the perspective of the animal.
OWL
- THE NOCTURNAL PREDATOR
(New
Lesson)
Author:
Towaya Hill Brown
Grade: 5-7
Time: 5 Class Periods
Students
learn about the bone structure of an owl and how to identify its
various parts. They
become knowledgeable about
the ecology and life history of an owl and its role in the ecosystem.
Students dissect an "Owl Pellet" to identify, classify,
measure, graph, and sketch the bones it contains.
They use this prey species information to construct a diagram
of an owl’s food chain.
SNAKES
Author: Sissy Martin
Grade: 2-6
Time: 12 hours
Students observe snakes and learn about their ecology and food and
habitat requirements. They learn to differentiate poisonous and
non-poisonous snakes. Students gain an understanding of the predator/prey
concept and construct a food chain of a snake.
SOUTH CAROLINA ANIMAL TRACKS
Author: Cynthia D. Mauldin
Grade: 4-6
Time: 5-6 Hours
Students will learn to identify the tracks of the fur bearing animals
of South Carolina. They will research the life history, habitat
requirements and range of selected species and will create a map
delineating that data for the South Carolina portion of that animal's
range. They will write an article pro or con (with supporting information)
on whether or not that animal should be listed as an endangered
species.
SPYING ON SPIDERS
Author: Rebecca Goodnight
Grade: 4-6
Time: 5 Hours
Students will, by observation and examination, learn the parts
of spiders and how they differ from insects and develop an appreciation
of their ecological importance. They will learn the food chain and
life cycle of a spider and will diagram each. Students will observe
spider behavior and will compose a report on prey catching techniques.
WHO GIVES A HOOT?
Author: Terri Byrd
Grade: 3-6
Time: 7-8 hours
Students learn about the ecology and life history of owls and their
role in an ecosystem. They learn to identify the bone structure
of owls and use "Owl Pellet Kits" to identify and quantify
the more common prey species of owls. They examine the predator/prey
concept and construct a food chain for an owl.
WHO'S SWIMMING IN MY WATER?
Author: Anne Lake
Grade: 3
Time: 2-3 weeks
Students learn about fish anatomy and the relationships between
the nature of the parts of a fish and where and how that fish lives.
Students learn how to classify fish using a dichotomous key. They
use the library to research the life history of an assigned fish
species.
WHAT IS INSIDE THE EARTH
Author: Rochelle Wilson Benbow
Grade: 3
Time: 1-2 hours
Students learn to identify the three layers of the earth and to
describe some features of each layer. They become familiar with
some of the types of different of environments found on the earth's
surface and learn to associate native plants and animals with these
environment types.
TO BEAN OR NOT TO BEAN
Author: Robin Patterson
Grade: 9-12
Time: Variable
Students will demonstrate the effects of soil composition on plant
growth by planting bean seeds and nurturing and observing/recording
the growth of the resultant plants. They will measure, and learn
the importance of, the pH of the soil sample in which their group's
plant is grown, and will determine the texture of the soil and its
effect on moisture retention. They will examine and learn of the
importance of plant roots and the variability of their structure
in soils of different composition.
CLASSIFICATION
Author: Tamara Pendleton
Grade: 6
Time: 1 hour
Students learn how to construct and use a dichotomous key and how
to apply this knowledge in differentiating groups of fish, trees
or salamanders. They learn about the system of classification and
will define characteristics that determine classification differences.
COMPARING ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES:
HUMAN INFLUENCE AND SPECIES DIVERSITY
Author: Betty Brodhun
Grade: 9-12
Time: 5 hours
Students measure species diversity by using a quadrant sampling
scheme to collect and enumerate organisms in selected sampling sites.
They use dichotomous keys to identify the collected species and
explore the relationships of organisms at various trophic levels
within these systems and the impact of man's activities.
CONTROLLING OUR COAL CONSUMPTION
Author: Tina Scotece
Grade: 1-8
Time: 1 hour
Students learn how coal is formed and the time involved in this
process. They become knowledgeable of the concept of renewable and
nonrenewable natural resources. Students earn about the many uses
of coal and gain a new awareness of the environment and the need
for conservation of our natural resources.
THE COUNTLESS USES OF PLANTS
Author: Shirley B. Oliver
Grade: 4
Time: 3-4 Hours
Students will learn how useful plants are to man and how dependent
man is on the many products they provide. Students will hear a professional
forester describe the career opportunities available in plant related
fields and will research and write a report on a selected career
involving plants.
ECO-SURVEY OF A SMALL AREA
Author: Barbara W. Jones
Grade: 6-8
Time: 8-10 hours
Students learn about different types of ecosystems and their components
and explore the interrelationships between organisms and their environment.
They collect soil samples and determine their composition, texture
and pH . Students collect and identify organisms while conducting
a census of plant and animal populations.
THE ECOLOGY OF A SITE
Author: Patricia Shealy
Grade: 9-10
Time: 5 weeks
Students learn how to conduct an ecological study. They construct
a map on which they record their sampling locations and other observed
information. Students learn how to census plant and animal populations
and identify individual species. They learn soil sampling procedures
and how to use soil survey information.
ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS ON PLANTS
(New
Lesson)
Author:
Erin J. Johnston
Grade: 9-12
Time: 6.5 to 7.0 hours
Students
research the effects of specific environmental variables on plant
growth.
They use these research results to design and conduct an
experiment to demonstrate and analyze these effects.
Students then prepare and deliver an oral presentation to
their class mates explaining their research, the conduct of the
experiment, and its results.
Finding
Your Way In the Environment: A Brief Introduction to The Compass
and Topographic Maps (New
Lesson)
Author:
Dr. Bettye R. Stokes
Grade: 7
Time: 8 Class Periods
Students
learn to use a compass and topographic maps to successfully navigate
or find their way in the environment.
They become knowledgeable of the developmental history of
maps and the compass and construct a simple compass.
FOSSIL HUNT
Author: Deborah Reed
Grade: 2-5
Time: Variable
Students will "discover" fossils and learn to identify
them. They will learn the importance of fossils in the study of
the past and their use as clues to the present. They will draw their
favorite fossil and write a paragraph about it.
INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT BETWEEN SCIENCE
AND HOME. A GLOBAL VIEW
Author: Jane Graham
Grade: 6
Time: 3 hours
Students learn about the waste management methods of source reduction,
recycling and composting and their potential to conserve natural
resources, save energy and reduce the strain on incinerators and
land fills.
MICROENVIRONMENTS IN A JUG
Author: Mike Robinson
Grade: 4-8
Time: 1 hour
Students construct, nurture and observe a microenvironment. They
learn about the interrelationship between plants and animals and
how that interrelationship functions in the acquisition of energy.
NOT IN MY TRASH CAN
Author: Lynn Copeland
Grade: 6
Time: 1 Hour
Students will learn the basic nutritional requirements of birds
and how various bird species differ in types of food required. They
will become aware of the re-useable food scraps in their homes that
could supplement the natural food supply for the local bird population
and will prepare a suet mixture and establish bird feeding sites.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF CLASSIFICATION
Author: Joyce Berry
Grade: 6-10
Time: 6 hours
Students learn how to use dichotomous keys. They use a collection
of common hardware items ("nuts and bolts"), to develop
a dichotomous classification scheme. Extension activities explore
dichotomous keys that use leaves and/or twigs to identify trees.
PLANTS IN COMPETITION
Author: Theresa Morris
Grade: 7
Time: Variable
Students will, by growing varying numbers of plants in like containers,
demonstrate the effects of competition on plant growth. They will
demonstrate the impact of leaf shading on photosynthesis and will
learn more about this life process and the competition among plants
for sunlight. They will use the recorded growth data and shading
observations to support or refute their initial hypotheses, and
will write a summary of their experimental conclusions.
THE PLOT THICKENS
Author: Susan W. Reynolds
Grade: 5+
Time: Variable
Students will learn basic sampling techniques and will apply this
knowledge by delineating an area from which they will collect representative
samples of the soil, plants and animals. They will learn to taxonomically
identify the specimens of flora and fauna and will compare and contrast
them with samples collected from a site with unlike habitat characteristics.
They will increase their understanding of the interaction between
plants and animals and between them and the abiotic components of
their environment.
SPLASH IT! DON'T TRASH IT!
Author: Patty Brown
Grade: 6-8
Time: 5 hours
Students learn to identify major sources of marine debris and research
its potential effects on marine life. They collect, categorize and
quantify marine debris data at a nearby beach and graphically compare
the collected data with national statistics.
WHERE DID IT COME FROM: WHERE SHOULD
IT GO? (RECYCLING)
Author: Johnnie Mae Pressley
Grade: 5
Time: 7+ hours
Students explore the concepts of renewable and non-renewable natural
resources and how recycling can help to extend their availability.
They learn that recycling can save energy and reduce the amount
of trash going into our land fills.
