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Learning activities |
Biodiversity, Ecosystem health, Ecosystems, Invasive species, Scientific inquiry |
Biodiversity Jenga |
Pair up Bill Nye the Science Guy and Jenga to engage students with the concept of biodiversity, and to underscore the importance of maintaining healthy, diverse ecosystems. Students remove native species from an ecosystem, and add non-native or invasive species. They see and understand how these actions may ultimately compromise the health and stability of an ecosystem. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
vitalteach |
2009-11-04 |
|
Learning activities |
Biodiversity, Ecosystems |
Google Earth Diversity Trip |
Students take a Google Earth diversity trip to engage with the idea of biodiversity in their local watershed. Google Earth is a free online resource that lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery and maps. Using this tool, students become more familiar with the boundaries, features, and orientation of their own watershed within the larger Gulf of Maine watershed. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
vitalteach |
2009-11-04 |
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Learning activities |
Biodiversity |
Diversity Statements |
Students work together to come up with their own working definition of diversity and biodiversity that everyone understands and can use effectively. This definition lays the conceptual groundwork for students’ biodiversity investigations in local ecosystems. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
vitalteach |
2009-11-04 |
|
Learning activities |
Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Invasive species |
There's a New Bird in Town |
Students experience how an invasive species may out-compete native species for vital resources. This high stakes, high energy game simulates the introduction of non-native and invasive species using MnMs and various kitchen drawer items. Students experience firsthand what happens and what if feels like when native and invasive species compete for essential resources. This is also an excellent activity for introducing concepts such as habitats, limiting resources, physical adaptations, and competition among species. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
vitalteach |
2009-11-04 |
|
Learning activities |
Biodiversity, Scientific inquiry |
Looking Closely |
Students practice looking closely at a leaf, flower, leg, wing, shell, etc. to really hone their observation skills and see the pieces and parts they wouldn’t otherwise see. Species observation skills gained during this detailed drawing activity will help students tell different species apart when they do their own Vital Signs investigation. This activity may be done as individuals or as a team. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
vitalteach |
2009-11-04 |
|
Learning activities |
Biodiversity |
Spot the Difference |
Spot the difference is a high energy, competitive activity that helps students develop and hone their observation skills. Students play Spot the Difference to train their eyes to closely observe plants and animals, and to find characteristics that make them the same species or a different species. Species observation skills built while playing Spot the Difference will be used by students during their fieldwork to help them decide whether or not the native or invasive species they are looking for is at their study site. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
vitalteach |
2009-11-04 |
|
Learning activities |
Biodiversity, Ecosystem health, Invasive species |
The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh |
Go green! This is a great science fiction novel to use with 7th and 8th grade students to get them thinking about taking care of our planet and what might happen if we don't. Discussions of evolution, adaptations, biodiversity, characteristics and needs of living organisms and much more will be sparked but this thought provoking novel. (69 pages) |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
slittlefield |
2009-11-05 |
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Learning activities |
Biodiversity, Ecosystem health, Invasive species |
Ratatouille and Your Friend The Rat |
Disney and the invasive species connection. Four-By-Rat activity. This is an adaptation of the quick write / quick draw activity. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
slittlefield |
2009-11-05 |
|
Learning activities |
Biodiversity, Invasive species |
Comic Life Invasive Species |
Research Maine invasive species and let your students use their new learnings to create comics. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
slittlefield |
2009-11-05 |
|
Learning activities |
Biodiversity |
Classification and Biodiversity |
How do you classify things? Students usually list size, color, and shape. This activity builds on their previous knowledge
and can be used to broaden students knowledge into classifying by structure. Easy to fit into a single period and
minimal preparation make this an ideal starter activity. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) |
ecollard |
2009-11-05 |
