Ecology for Everyone
FREE Lessons
Take a page from our educator’s playbook! Whether you’re curious to learn or need tools to teach ecology, our free lessons make it easy. With minimal setup and materials, you can dive right in and take the learning outdoors.
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
SPRING LESSONS
TIPS & TRICKS
FOR LEARNING OUTDOORS
ECO educators share their helpful tips and tricks to engage any young scientist while learning outdoors, help build a foundation for curiosity and connection to nature!
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
SPRING
BINGO
Can you find something living in a puddle? Get outdoors and discover the wonders of spring while playing a fun ECO version of Bingo!
Materials & Benchmarks
- Bingo Activity Sheet
BIRD-O
Although birds are common, they are anything but boring!
This Bingo game begins with a lesson on bird behavior to get students thinking about the different behaviors they might observe – preening to gliding to diving.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
NGSS Standards:
-
3-LS4-2 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
-
MS-LS1-4 From Molecules to Organisms
NEST
SWEET NEST
This lesson dives into the craft of nest-building by animals big and small. First, students will learn about why animals build nests and study examples of incredible nests around the world. Then, students have options to create a nest & more!
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- Nest Sweet Nest Presentation
NGSS Standards:
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- MS-LS1-4 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
EARTH DAY
PLEDGE
Designed for students of all ages. Originally from Earth Day 2020, this activity can be done any time of the year to get students thinking about how they can take action and make a difference for our planet.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
NGSS Standards:
-
5-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
-
3-5-ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well they meet criteria and constraints of the design problem.
SALMON
STORIES
Students go over the remarkable life cycle of Pacific salmon and learn about their role in ecosystems as well as their importance to Indigenous communities, and steps we can take to protect salmon for future generations.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
NGSS Standards:
- 3-LS1-1 From molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death. - 5-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment. - MS-LS2-4 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations
ELA Standards:
- 6.RI.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
SUMMER LESSONS
LAYERS
OF THE FOREST
In this outdoor lesson, students observe the ecology of the forest; first, by learning about the layers of the forest, then by participating in a “sit spot” and drawing activity.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
NGSS Standards:
- K-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- MS-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS2-6 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
PLANT
CHARACTERISTICS
Designed for students of all ages; includes extension activities. This investigation invites young botanists to distinguish between plants based on their characteristics, then use their observations to sketch what they find.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- Plant Characteristics Worksheet
- ECO Instructional Video
NGSS Standards:
- 4-LS1-1
- MS-LS1-6
SUMMER
SOIL SCOOP
In this activity students will study the texture of soil by doing an experiment using soil samples found nearby. After learning what makes soil special and the makeup of soil, students will carry out an experiment and take note of their results.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- Summer Soil Scoop Presentation
NGSS Standards:
- 2-PS1-1. Matter and Its Interactions
- 5-PS1-3. Matter and Its Interactions
- HS-ESS2-5 Earth’s Systems
BIOMIMICRY
In this lesson, students will learn what biomimicry is by examining a handful of examples. Then, students have the opportunity to innovate on their own and develop a plan that draws inspiration from nature.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Worksheet
- Activity Sheet
- ECO Instructional Video
NGSS Standards:
- K-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity
- 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS2-6 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
AUTUMN LESSONS
SIGNS OF FALL
OBSERVATIONS
This activity blends ecology and social-emotional learning (SEL), encouraging students to observe the changes in nature as well as the changes they are experiencing within themselves.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- ECO Instructional Video
NGSS Standards:
- 3-LS1-1 From molecules to Organisms:
Structures and Processes - MS-LS1-6 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
ROCK
PROPERTIES
What makes rocks unique, and how can we investigate the rocks we find in the Pacific Northwest to understand more about them? This lesson will invite students to observe rocks and conduct investigations to determine their characteristics.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- ECO instructional video
- Rock Properties Test Descriptions Activity Sheet
- Rock Properties Investigation Sheet (K-3rd grade version)
- Rock Properties Investigation Sheet (4-8th grade version)
NGSS Standards:
- 1-PS4-3 Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information
- 2-PS1-1 Matter and Its Interactions
- 3-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 5-PS1-3 Matter and Its Interactions
OCEAN
HABITATS
The ocean biome is the largest biome on the planet, containing a fascinating and diverse array of habitats. In this indoor lesson, students will learn about kelp forests, and other unique and often overlooked habitats found in the ocean.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- Ocean Habitats Presentation
NGSS Standards:
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- MS-LS1-6 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- MS-LS2-3 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS2-4 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
DEAR
NATURE
This writing activity invites students to find a “sit spot” and engage with nature, wherever they are. Then, students practice gratitude through letter writing, with thought-provoking, scalable prompts to guide them through the process.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Worksheet
- Activity Sheet
- ECO Instructional Video
NGSS Standards:
- K-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity
- 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS2-6 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
FUN WITH
FUNGI
In this lesson, students will learn what fungi is, and what the role of fungi is in the environment. The activity is going to be spore prints! Students will collect mushrooms and let the spores settle on paper overnight. Spore prints can then be observed using magnifying glasses if desired, and observations can be made.
Materials & Benchmarks
Included with lesson:
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- Fun with Fungi Presentation
NGSS Standards:
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 4-LS1-1
- MS-LS1-4.
- HS.LS4.1
CLEVER CROWS
In this lesson, students will learn about crows! Crows are a common sight in Oregon and across the country, but sometimes it’s easy to forget how special they are. Students learn about crows’ ecological importance and explore their fascinating intelligence.
Materials & Benchmarks
Included with lesson:
- Teacher Guide
- Clever Crows Presentation
NGSS Standards:
-
K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
-
3-LS2-1. Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
-
MS-LS1-4. Use arguments based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.
-
HS-LS2-8. Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’ chances to survive and reproduce.
WINTER LESSONS
SCAVENGER HUNT
Students view a virtual presentation, then bring an activity sheet outdoors, looking for a variety of natural objects that can be found and studied during the winter.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- ECO Instructional Presentation
NGSS Standards:
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
ECO
HEROES
This social studies lesson encourages students to research and report on diverse environmental and social justice heroes who have made a positive impact on our planet.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- ECO instructional video
- Rock Properties Test Descriptions Activity Sheet
- Rock Properties Investigation Sheet (K-3rd grade version)
- Rock Properties Investigation Sheet (4-8th grade version)
NGSS Standards:
- NGSS K-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity
- 5-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity
- Social Science Analysis 5.26
- Historical Thinking 5.24
- Geography 5.11
- Geography HS.50
COLD WEATHER
ANIMALS PT. 1
In part one of this lesson series, students are introduced to ectothermic animals, or animals that rely on external sources of heat to stay warm.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- Ectotherms Presentation
NGSS Standards:
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- MS-LS1-4 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
COLD WEATHER
ANIMALS PT. 2
In part two, students are introduced to endothermic animals, or “warm-blooded” animals that maintain a regular body temperature internally.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- Endotherms Prestentation
NGSS Standards:
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- MS-LS1-4 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
CONIFER
CLASSIFICATION
The Pacific Northwest is known for its abundance of conifers and winter is a great time to study them! Students learn the differences between conifers and broadleaf plants, and why not all cones are pine cones.
Materials & Benchmarks
- Teacher Guide
- Activity Sheet
- Ectotherms Presentation
NGSS Standards:
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- MS-LS1-4 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
CLASSES
Ecology for everyone
Teacher Approved
Meet standards and benchmarks for everyday lessons while expanding upon classic curriculum. While our lessons are fun and engaging, they meet academic requirements and allow you to take a breath. Let ECO help make science lessons easy! It can be used as a pre or post lesson before an ECO visit or field trip too!
Partner Ready
Free ECO Lessons can accompany content taught by a partner organization or land management agency, such as the Oregon State Parks Rangers. Outdoor Schools may use them as additions to field studies curriculum. We’d love for our lessons to enhance the great work you already do!
Learn Anywhere
Families who homeschool or do distance learning may choose to access our Free ECO Lessons and virtual activities. All lessons can easily include multiple age groups to allow for whole family learning as well. Take ECO lessons on vacation, into the backyard, and out into the wild!