Schoolyard Field Guide and Flower Part Identification part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This lesson is a classroom and field-based activity where students learn about the parts of a flower through observation, journaling, and Observation.

What is a bird? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an inquiry based lesson focused on students making observations of birds in order to problem solve how to attract more birds to a schoolyard.

Virtual Inquiry Field Lesson part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The use of new technological motion sensing cameras creates a motivation for students in this life science lesson.

Mn Fish Families part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a classroom and field investigation where students will group Mn fish families and create their own pop can fishing rods.

First Grade Collecting Leaves with the book Leaf Man part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is takes place in nature and in the classroom. Students are gathering different types of leaves and naming characteristics of each then sorting them by those characteristics. Students then make a picture with leaves and writes 2-3 sentences about their picture using the characteristic words.

Going on a leaf hunt! part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity gives kindergartners the chance to get outside collect, observe and sort leaves. They will also try to differentiate between MN native leaves and non-native leaves to MN.

How Do Living Things Change With the Seasons? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This classroom activity is an inquiry based lesson where students observe and measure temperature changes in order to determine which fabrics are best at keeping in heat.

Through the Years with a Tree part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This investigation is a year round study of the phenology of a schoolyard.

Birds: How do we increase the bird population at our school? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation of the bird population in the schoolyard and how the students will plan to attract more birds.

Changes in a Monarch's Life Cycle part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity will include the students observing the monarch life cycle inside the classroom, a field experience observing monarch life on a milkweed plant and drawing it, and back in the classroom students will make a pop-up book of the monarch's life cycle with a short description on each page.

Critter Catalog-Creating a Field Guide to Minnesota Animals part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity will help students learn about Minnesota animals and characteristics that distinguish them from one another.

Phenology and the Weatherguide Calendar--An Introduction part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This classroom activity introduces the yearlong topic of phenology and how to use the Weatherguide calendar.

White Bass, A Taste of Home? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Hmong students will study white bass and it's management in St. Paul.

Who Am I? Plant and Animal Life in a Pond part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity, students use questioning skills to ascertain which pond plant or animal they are. In previous lessons, students have visited the neighborhood pond, made observations, and become familiar with pond life.

Investigating What Living Things Need: Space part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this biology investigation, students will make observations of the growth of bean seeds to determine what plants need to live and grow in a healthy way.

Leaf Rubbing and Plant Pressing part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a classroom activity where students will make plant rubbings and plant pressings of Minnesota plants.

Courtyard observations - One Small Step part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students observe plants, animals, and insects that are common to Minnesota.

How do worms behave? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This inquiry lab activity involves students working to observe and describe to how worms will interact/adapt with their environment.

Leaf Walk: Observing and Investigating Leaves part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students compare leaves, share observations and develop an investigable question to be explored by the class in small groups.

Water Retention - No Problem With The Key (Vertebrates&Invertebrates) Investigation part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This lesson helps grade 3 students understand the difference between Vertebrates and Invertebrates.