Categories
Amazing Wildlife

Types of Mammals: the difference between monotremes, marsupials, and placentals

Life’s beginning varies a lot among mammals. We can group mammals into three main categories based on how their babies come into the world. The main types of mammals are called monotremes, marsupials, and placentals. Monotremes Most mammals give birth to live babies instead of laying eggs. However, there are a couple of exceptions: platypuses […]

Categories
Amazing Wildlife Ecology

What is a keystone species? Definition and four examples!

A keystone species is an organism that plays an exceptionally large role in its ecosystem. It provides materials or services that enrich the lives of other organisms in the ecosystem. Without the keystone species, the ecosystem would look very different and other organisms that rely on the keystone species would suffer. Now, let’s look at […]

Categories
Botany Ecology

The Saguaro Cactus Life Cycle: step-by-step guide with pictures!

Some saguaro cacti live for 200 years or longer! Saguaros grow very slowly. The speed of growth depends on many factors such as precipitation, temperature, and soil quality. Let’s explore the saguaro cactus life cycle in five steps! Notice that desert animals play a key role in two of these steps. 1. Germination A seed […]

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Botany

Types of Cacti: explore the diversity of cactus species! With pictures!

There are many types of cacti, which are found in dry places and deserts. Cacti are succulent plants. Succulent plants are thick and fleshy for storing water. While all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti. Cacti are unique because they have areoles – cushion-like bumps that cover the outside of a cactus. One […]

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General

New at Wild Earth Lab this Fall: study earth science, math, art, and more!

Get ready! A lot is new at Wild Earth Lab this fall! Stay up to date on my latest units, free resources, and more! Below, I’ve put together a list of my most recent science units, freebies, blog posts, and upcoming sale dates at Wild Earth Lab! I hope my newest creations bring joy to […]

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Earth Science

Plate Tectonics: the difference between convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries

Earth’s lithosphere (surface) is broken into massive, irregularly-shaped pieces, called tectonic plates. Some of the plates are so large that they span entire continents. Others are smaller. Tectonic plates sit atop a denser, soft part of the mantle called the asthenosphere. If you need a refresher, view my Layers of the Earth post. The theory […]

Categories
Earth Science

Earth’s Layers: crust, mantle, core, & more. Plus a layers of the earth-inspired density activity!

In school, you usually learn that the three main layers of the earth are the crust, mantle, and core. Geologists call these compositional layers, because the layers are defined by the materials they are made of. However, geologists also think about how different layers of the earth move: for example, do they flow easily? Are […]

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Activity ideas

5 Outdoor Math Activities with Real World Applications

If you’re a teacher, you know that combining math activities with real-world applications can make things a bit more interesting. Now taking applied math OUTSIDE?! Your students might just find that math is more fun than they ever thought it could be! These math activity ideas are inspired by my work in the field of […]

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Activity ideas Ecology

Bird Beaks Lab: try this hands-on classroom activity to learn about adaptations and natural selection!

This is a hilarious and hands-on way to experience competition between species and learn about natural selection and animal adaptations. In this post, you will learn how to set up your own bird beaks lab to try out in your classroom!

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Activity ideas Amazing Wildlife

10 Waterbird and waterfowl activities for kids to try in your classroom!

Waterfowl and other waterbirds are some of the best wildlife to go view with kids in wetlands and other natural areas, regardless of your location. If you are planning a waterfowl field trip – or a whole waterfowl and waterbird unit – this waterbird & waterfowl activities list is the place to start! In case […]