Live Organisms
Ordering
Orders for live organisms are placed by the Science Lead Teacher or Principal at the start of each school's life science rotation. The live organisms are split into two deliveries based on their usage in the curriculum. Important dates are listed the K-5 Live Organism List by Delivery Date
Alternatively, schools can grow their own supplies or use remaining Delta Live Organism Coupons.
CARE
Detailed care information can be found in the Teacher Guides or the FOSSweb pages below:
Kindergarten: NGSS FOSS Animals Two by Two (Grade K)
1st Grade: NGSS FOSS Plants and Animals (1st Grade)
2nd Grade: NGSS FOSS Insects and Plants
3rd Grade: NGSS FOSS Structures of Life
4th Grade: NGSS FOSS Environments
5th Grade: NGSS FOSS Living Systems
6th Grade: NGSS FOSS Diversity of Life
Click here for an estimated Developmental Timeline for organisms that are time critical.
Returning Organisms
Teachers are encouraged to maintain their organisms long term as classroom animals. Most of them require minimal care and can be raised in basic containers. If you do not want to keep them, they can be reused in other classrooms later in the year. Contact Maryam Cermal at maryam.cermal@ousd.org .
Live organisms should NOT be released into the local environment unless they are being returned to the environment from which they came (e.g. pill bugs collected on the schoolyard.)
Replacement Organisms
It is the responsibility of classroom teachers to care for organisms once they have been delivered. If replacement items are needed, teachers may:
share with colleagues
source organisms locally (pill bugs, sow bugs, land snails, redworms, and earthworms are readily found in schoolyard gardens or backyard compost piles)
purchase replacements (see list of vendors below)
Our Vendors
OUSD uses the following vendors to provide live organisms in the classrooms. Vendors are selected based on cost and health of organisms upon arrival.
Niles Biological (isopods, milkweed bugs, crayfish, land snails,. tubifex worms, milkweed bug eggs)
Mulberry Farms (silkworms, mealworms, butterflies)
Blue Ridge Vermiculture (worms)
NorCal Seafood (local crayfish, fall only)
Louisiana Crayfish (winter and spring only)
San Francisco Aquarium Society (aquatic snails) donated
Pet Club, Emeryville (guppies, elodea/anacharis, mealworms)
Tips & Tricks
Where to Buy Feeder Goldfish and Guppies
Mei Lan Aquariums, 6625 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, 510-638-7283, Tues-Sat 10-6 pm
International Aquarium, 1505 International Blvd, Oakland, 510-261-1688, Mon-Sun 11-7pm
Connies Tropical Fish, 2520 Castro Valley Blvd Castro Valley , 510-733-5553, Mon-Sun 10-7pm
Mike's Feed & Pets, 710 E 14th St, San Leandro, 510-638-2005, Mon-Sun 10-6pm
Silkworms - How to Feed
Painted Lady Butterflies - Finding Host Plants
Educational Science (artificial diet source)