Curated OER
Pumpkins
The pumpkin might be the single most amazing plant for youngsters. It's so big! It's leaves, it's stems, it's fruit! And it is easy to grow! This instructional activity describes all sorts of wonderful pumpkin ideas. Everything from...
Curated OER
Egg People
Here is an ingeniously clever instructional activity on seed germination that's sure to be a hit with your kids. In it, learners create "egg people," out of eggs, egg cartons, potting soil, grass seeds, and markers. There is also a...
Curated OER
Build a Burger
Here is an outstanding instructional activity on food groups, nutrition, and diet. In it, learners focus on hamburgers! They take a close look at the products that go into making a hamburger, conduct taste tests on samples, discuss the...
Curated OER
A First Look at the Garden
For any teacher who is planning a field trip to Missouri's Botanical Garden, this lesson packet is a must-have! In it, young learners engage in pre-visit activities so they will be prepared to get the most out of their trip. There are...
Curated OER
Blueberries
The blueberry is the star of the show. Young farmers take a close look at the blueberry in order to begin to understand the production of small fruits. They describe the factors that affect a blueberry crop, how blueberries are grown,...
Curated OER
Plant Power
One of the most amazing processes for youngsters to witness in class is the germination of a seed, and the subsequent growth of the plant. Here is a version of this classic lesson that is actually quite good! There is meaningful...
Curated OER
Caves
Explore caves with your class! Your scholars will participate in scientific observation, research, inference and deduction, reading, vocabulary, and writing activities about caves with this lesson plan. This resource contains five...
Curated OER
Edible Bug Project
Students recognize the characteristics of insects. In this edible bugs activity, students observe the body parts of an insect. Students create an edible insect using a grape, carrot sticks and sorrel stems and leaves. Students share...
NASA
Pop Can Hero Engine
Hang a soda can from a string and watch it spin by the force created by water streaming out of slanted holes. This plan provides background information, detailed materials and procedures, discussion questions, a lab worksheet, and...
Curated OER
Finding, Gathering, Saving Seeds
Young scholars understand the importance of saving seeds. In this saving seeds lesson, students dry out seeds for later use planting. Young scholars recognize that one plant may have many seeds.
Curated OER
Creating a Three sisters Garden
Students understand that a three sisters garden is comprised of corn, beans and squash. In this three sisters garden lesson plan, students understand that Native Americans planted three sisters gardens and grow a three sisters garden....
Curated OER
The Big Squeeze
Students observe what happens as crayon shavings are melted and/or pressed together. They compare this to the process some rocks go through as they are heated and compressed naturally on earth.
Curated OER
Observing the Changes: The Warming of the North
After reviewing the causes and effects of climate change, students become observers for "Plant Watch," a program to monitor the effects of climate change on plants. Students record blooming and leafing dates for selected local species...
Curated OER
Fish and Clips
Youngsters test magnetic strength by measuring the mass of paper clips that they "hook" with a magnet. Your first and second graders should love the hands-on activities associated with this plan. The reproducible materials are quite good...
Curated OER
What Do You See at the Pond?
With What Do You See at the Pond?, young readers explore pond life and practice reading strategies. Learners first make predictions and then read the simple story independently. After a second read-through with a partner, kids come...
Curated OER
Questioning
Practice making predictions by looking at the cover of a book. You can use The Hungry Thing, as suggested here, or any other book you may be reading in class. Use the predictions to talk about good reading strategies. A chart is included...
Curated OER
A Hidden Beauty
Expose the beautiful mystery of bulbs as young botanists learn all about these fascinating plants. They glean information from a short text before observing actual bulbs (consider an onion), and comparing their findings with predictions....
Curated OER
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Wow! Here is a most-impressive series of lessons and activities that revolve around the classic story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The purpose of the lessons are to provide an agricultural theme in the reading, writing, and science...
Curated OER
Teaching the Instruments of the Orchestra to Young Students using the San Francisco Symphony Kids’ Website
Using the San Francisco Children's Orchestra web site, first graders build listening and instrument identification skills. Each child wears head phones, listens to ID, and finds various instruments on the included worksheet.
Curated OER
A Whole Lotta Changin' Goin' On
Here's a fabulous lesson on the life cycle of a butterfly. Youngsters are able to identify and understand the four stages of life. They construct models of a caterpillar and write a sequence story about the life of a butterfly. This...
Curated OER
Carnival of the Animals and Aquarium and Magic Fish
Engage little learners in this moderately developed three-lesson unit on the composer Camille Saint-Saens and his piece "The Carnival of Animals." Each lesson includes a listening, discussion, and an art project to engage your class in...
Curated OER
Archeologists For a Day
Students listen to a reading about fossils and go on a hunt for items with fossil characteristics. For this cross curricular fossil lesson, students will examine their fossil finds and create a graphic organizer. Students listen to...
Curated OER
Plant Part Exploration: Stems
Explore water transport in plant stems using this fun experiment! Your scientists will start by reading Stems by Vijaya Bodach. Then, activate prior knowledge about plant stem functions and water transportation. Demonstrate this concept...
Curated OER
Doin' The Moonwalk
If you are looking for an outstanding instructional activity on the Moon for your budding astronomers, look no further! This outstanding plan is full of wonderful, meaningful activities for your charges to engage in. Pupils will discover...