Observations Lesson Plans

Young scholars make accurate drawings of a classmate's shadow. They note position of the sun in the sky. They identify a connection between the direction of the shadow and the location of the sun. They observe changes in shadows over time.

Students observe obscertainers through indirect observations and make hypotheses about the internal wall structures of the containers. In this indirect observation lesson plan, students make observations of 4 obscertainers with a steel ball inside and predict the wall structures. They draw their predictions of what each container looks like inside. A connection is made between this activity and the structure of atoms and molecules which are too small to be seen.

Students observe earthworms in their native habitat, soil. In this biology lesson plan, students examine a live earthworm up close and identify the different body parts. Later they will share their observations by creating a chart.

Students record weather for a period of one month. In this weather lesson, students observe weather for one month on a large pictograph. Students record clouds, wind, temperature and any other weather conditions they observe. Students study their pictograph to find weather patterns.

Fifth graders build worm habitats and observe the activities of mealworms and earthworms. They experiment to show how the worms react to changes in light, temperature, touch, moisture, food, etc. They even watch as some of the mealworms change into beetles.

Students use observational skills, including the five sense, to identify characteristics of frogs.

After reviewing the causes and effects of climate change, students become observers for "PlantWatch," a program to monitor the effects of climate change on plants. Students record blooming and leafing dates for selected local species and submit their observations to researchers.

Students observe the growth of yeast cells, which is evidence that yeasts are converting food to energy and are living organisms. They build an apparatus to show that yeast produce carbon dioxide. Students observe yeast with and without food.

Students choose an organism and create an experiment with that organism. In this observation lesson, students expose a living thing to something from its environment and record their observations. Students must have some prior knowledge to complete this lesson. Students understand how organisms sense things in their environment and respond so they survive.

Students determine their observation bias.  In this details and observation lesson, students watch a video clip and record four of their observations and work in groups to choose significant details.  Students complete an assignment on observation bias and use Blogger to post their notes and comment on other student's notes.