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Learning activities
| Resource type | Theme | Title | Teaser | Grade Level |
Name |
Comments | Post date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning activities | Ecosystem health, Ecosystems, Invasive species | Aquatic Ecosystem Presentation Rubric | Students choose an aquatic ecosystem in the state of Maine. After in depth research into the health of that ecosystem, students share their findings. This rubric and instruction sheet guide students as they work independently on their research. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) High school (grades 9-12) |
gmri | 2 | 2012-01-03 |
| Learning activities | Biodiversity, Scientific inquiry | Plant Discovery | Students take on the role of naturalist discovering a plant for the first time. They look closely, name the plant, collect detailed information about it, and sketch it. As a fun extension, have the students exchange their work with another class, and see if they can identify the mystery plants. |
Middle school (grades 6-8) High school (grades 9-12) |
gmri | 0 | 2012-01-05 |
| Learning activities | Invasive species | Comic Life Invasive Species Project Rubric | This is a rubric to help guide students when creating a culminating activity for the Vital Signs invasive species Comic Life project and help teachers score it. | Middle school (grades 6-8) | jdrake | 1 | 2010-12-08 |
| Learning activities | Invasive species | VS Skils Round Robin | > This is a sheet to record going through the process of rotating through a brief introduction of the skills. It has 8 skills on there; however, we did 2 rounds of 4 and 4. This is a brief summary and insight of what one of the rounds looked like for us. In essence: in a 2 hour period, we each saw 150-200 students for a skill session. (Guy: GPS, Joan: Quadrat/Species Cards, Sandy: Observation Sketches, Joelle: Camera) Now, it wasn't pretty; but, we did it again the following Friday, with the other 4 skills! :) And, certainly, armed with more strategies. | Middle school (grades 6-8) | jdrake | 0 | 2010-12-15 |
| Learning activities, Field work resources | Biodiversity, Scientific inquiry | Great Introduction to Field Study: The Treehugger Game | The Treehugger Game Abstract: Oftentimes the best way to conduct a field study with students, especially younger ones, is to begin with a game. Games can release the stress and energy built up throughout the day and create a more focused and calm learning environment. Additionally, in the colder months games can prolong students exposure to cold weather by increasing their body temperature during play. The Treehugger game allows students to hone their observational skills in a fun environment and release stress, preparing them to use these skills in proceeding field studies. | Middle school (grades 6-8) | Jmlynch | 0 | 2012-11-08 |
| Learning activities, Field work resources, Analysis resources | Invasive species | Combine with Dichotomous Keys | Use the species cards to translate and bridge the gap between them and the use of dichotomous keys in classification. Have students use the keys and cards to create mini keys that would help to identify the species that they are studying in the field. | Middle school (grades 6-8) | karenmccormick | 1 | 2010-11-20 |
| Learning activities | Scientific inquiry | Rubrics | These rubrics were used for student self and peer assessment. | Middle school (grades 6-8) | kbeckler | 0 | 2010-12-29 |
| Learning activities | Scientific inquiry | Can You Find This? | This activity helps introduce and engage students in using the Vital Signs Web site. When the invasive species project was first introduced I had students choose an invasive species found in Maine they might be interested in learning more about. Now I would like the students to become more familiar with the Vital Signs website – so they feel comfortable utilizing it’s rich resources during our investigations. Using an LCD projector that is attached to my computer I introduce the students to the web site. | Middle school (grades 6-8) | kmoniz | 1 | 2010-11-22 |
| Learning activities | Biodiversity | Leafing Out | As a final project for this year 1 of my participation in Vital Signs, I turned to the student drivers and asked what have you learned? They respond that they've learned a lot about how to identify different species. They burble away, telling me that you must observe the bark and stem and flowers and leaves and you must research it. They assure me that now they are telling everyone: "Hey, that there is Japanese Knotweed. I know because..." Well, one thing led to another and here is our final project. | Middle school (grades 6-8) | Linda McD | 3 | 2010-10-08 |
| Learning activities | Invasive species | Mystery Graph Adelgid Redone | This is a revamp of the bar graph for the Adelgid. Line graphs are used to show change over time so the Mystery graph was converted to a line graph. For students who might be struggling in both math and reading, it is done as a matching activity. In addition, reference to the storyline, the table, and the graph, were included in this activity. | Middle school (grades 6-8) | mstafford | 0 | 2010-10-01 |
