Elementary Resources
These resources apply to grades ranging from K - 8, if you enjoy these activities let us know!
Visit the BEAN Sprouts page to view mini-activities that meet K - 8 Curriculum Connections
Visit the BEAN Sprouts page to view mini-activities that meet K - 8 Curriculum Connections
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Let's ID That Tree!
Ontario is a province with approximately 85 billion individual trees representing over 140 species. In this activity: students explore tree anatomy and classification and use the free Pl@ntNet, assess native and non-native trees in their local community, and plant some native trees. Grades: 3 Growth and Change in Plants, 4 Habitats and Communities Curriculum Links: Grade 3 (1.1, 2.2, 3.6), Grade 4 (1.1, 3.1) Key Words: tree, diversity, classification, technology, native vs non-native species Garlic Mustard Invasion
All plants need sun, water, nutrients, space, and to avoid being eaten to survive and reproduce. Any plant that can do any of these things better than the other plants around it has a huge advantage and may come to dominate the landscape. Since its introduction from Europe in the early 1800s, garlic mustard has become one of Ontario’s most aggressive forest invaders. Grade: 4 Habitats and Communities, 6 Biodiversity, 7 Interactions in the Environment Curriculum Links: Grade 4 (1.2, 3.3), Grade 6 (3.5, 3.7), Grade 7 (3.2, 3.3, 3.4) Key Words: invasive species, nutrients, exponential growth Musical Mussels: Invasive Species Simulation Game
Invasive species disturb or degrade ecological functions, displace native species, and often their population explodes because there are few to no biological controls in place, and native species are not adapted to compete effectively with them. In the decades since zebra mussels were introduced to Ontario, they have caused widespread ecological destruction and municipalities have spent millions of dollars to control their spread. Grade: 4 Habitats and Communities, 6 Biodiversity, 7 Interactions in the Environment Curriculum Links: Grade 4 (1.2, 3.3), Grade 6 (3.5, 3.7), Grade 7 (3.2, 3.3) Key Words: native mussels, zebra mussels, biodiversity Ontario's Backyard Birds
Birds are a logical starting point when introducing children to Ontario’s biodiversity. In this activity: students explore bird classification, use the free Cornell Lab Merlin Bird ID app, assess biodiversity in different habitats, design bird feeders to appeal to a specific species, and participate in a citizen science program. Grade: 4 Habitats and Communities, 6 Biodiversity Curriculum Links: Grade 4 (1.1, 3.7), Grade 6 (2.2, 3.1) Key Words: bird, classification, habitats, biodiversity, community science |
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Watersheds: We Are All Connected
Bounded by three oceans, Canada has the longest ocean coastline in the world. In this activity: students create a model watershed and discover how activities at one location impact areas downstream, experiment with cleaning up contaminated water, and explore local initiatives to reduce water pollution entering their watershed. Grades: 6 Biodiversity, 7 Interactions in the Environment, 8 Water Systems Curriculum Links: Grade 6 (1.1), Grade 7 (3.8), Grade 8 (2.2, 2.4, 3.2) Keywords: Watershed, Ocean, Point source, Non-point source, Contamination |
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Big Shark, Big Loss, Big Impact
Large predatory fish populations have plummeted over 90% in the last decade. In this activity: students simulate marine food webs and discover what happens when humans reduce the shark population. Through collecting, analyzing, and graphing the data, students will explore the role of sharks and humans in maintaining ocean food webs. Grades: 4 Habitats and Communities, 4 Data Literacy, 6 Biodiversity, 6 Data Literacy, 7 Interactions in the Environment, 7 Data Literacy Curriculum Links: Grade 4 science (1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 3.6) Grade 4 math (D1.3), Grade 6 science (3.4, 3.5), Grade 6 math (D1.3), Grade 7 science (3.4, 3.5, 3.7), Grade 7 math (D1.3) Keywords: food chain, simulation game, graphing, data analysis, sustainability |
