Curated OER
The Watershed Quest
Students examine their connection to local watersheds. They describe the water cycle and list species living in their local watershed. They also draw a map of their community.
Curated OER
Forces in Action
Students investigate questions centered around force and motion by going through the scientific process and creating fair tests and experimentation. For this lesson about forces-in-action, students diagram their findings and explore...
Curated OER
The Role of Fire in Healthy Prairie, Brush and Forest Lands
Sixth graders read and discuss background information and brainstorm reasons for wildfires. They use a Venn Diagram to list the similarities and differences between wildfires and prescribed fires and then track the weather forecast for...
Curated OER
Structure and Function of Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes
Students explore the concept of philanthropy and why people give. They investigate the importance of the tulip to Holland and the tradition of giving flowers away. They begin to explore the life cycle of tulips and dissect a bulb to...
Columbus City Schools
Photosynthesis and Respiration
Thirty percent of the world's oxygen is produced by rainforests found throughout the world. Seventh grade learners explore the processes of photosynthesis and respiration through 10 days of labs, manipulatives, and discussions. They...
Rainforest Alliance
Trees and Carbon
You'll find everything but the kitchen sink here ... or just a carbon sink. In the activity, pairs or groups of middle school learners go outside and measure a tree's circumference and height to estimate its carbon storage potential and...
Curated OER
Creature Features
Learners examine why certain animals live in only specific places throughout the world. Using animals, they classify them based on their characteristics and identify their basic needs. They also observe and compare the life cycles of...
Curated OER
Wood is Everywhere!
Fifth graders diagram and label the parts of a tree. For this lesson on how trees obtain food, 5th graders diagram and label the parts of a tree, and determine the diameter, height, and age of a tree.
Curated OER
Inside the Egg, Hatching Chickens
Students conduct an egg candling activity to show the life inside a fertile egg. Students discuss the needs the egg has of the hen, as well as similarities and differences between plants and animals. Students complete a life cycle wheel...
Curated OER
Hopi Culture: Parts of the Corn
Students identify the parts of the corn stalk in English and Hopi. They discuss the significance of corn to the Hopi culture, and examine a diagram of the corn stalk. They discuss the purposes of the parts of the corn stalk, then label...
Curated OER
Changing circuits
Students identify that there are conventional symbols to represent the components in circuits. Students use these symbols to draw diagrams of circuits. They are reminded that electric circuits can be drawn in diagrams using symbols. ...
Curated OER
Butterflies
Students will explore the life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly by raising their own. They will incorporate math, science, and language arts as they graph, pattern, journal, observe, and artistically create.
Curated OER
Forces in Action
Students investigate different forces and draw arrows to signify specific directions of force. Students are then shown a brick and they are asked to draw a diagram which will include labels for the forces that are acting on the brick....
Curated OER
Moving and Growing
Young scholars learn to understand the role of both skeletons and exoskeletons. In this lesson plan on exoskeletons, students locate and label bones on diagram of a human skeleton, and observe and discuss bones of chicken and fish. Young...
Curated OER
Flower Reproduction
Fifth graders examine the cycle of flower reproduction. They listen to a poem about a bee, observe and examine flowers in small groups, and develop a class KWL chart. Students then read about flower reproduction in their textbook, and...
Curated OER
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Learners discover gardening by documenting plants grown on school grounds. In this botany lesson plan, students utilize digital cameras to capture images of plants on photo hikes which are turned into a slide show. Learners plant a...
Curated OER
The Role of Fire in Healthy Prairie, Brush and Forest Lands
Students create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast wildfires and prescribed fires. In this earth science lesson, students conduct a series of experiment to explore fire characteristics. They describe favorable conditions to start a...
Curated OER
Arthropod Data Collection
Students describe the life cycle of various bugs as well as their predators and feeding habits. The class participates in a discussion of the various methods scientists use to gather data including research and experiment. After...
Curated OER
The Angiosperms
Students study angiosperms and their classifications. For this investigative lesson students compare the sexual reproduction of angiosperms and seed formations.
Curated OER
Circuits And Conductors
Students predict the common classroom items, such as paper clips, chalk, keys, or erasers, that will be good conductors in a circuit. They build circuits using a variety of circuit diagrams to test their predictions.
Curated OER
How Sedimentary Rocks are Formed
Students investigate the stripes in sedimentary rocks, using a structure at Petra, Jordan, as an example, and then do a hands-on activity using mixed nuts to illustrate the layering of sedimentary rocks.
Curated OER
Weather, Climate and Atmospheric Process
Students explore Earth science by completing a could identification activity. In this weather lesson, students discuss the different forms of measurement for the weather of Earth. Students discuss global warming and examine a list of...
National Park Service
It's Not Easy Being Grizz
Grizzly bears can be up to 600 pounds and require a great deal of food, especially to survive hibernation. Comprised of multiple games, the third lesson of five only uses one setup. Pupils run around a large field, sorting and collecting...
Curated OER
Weather Tools
Students explore Earth science by participating in a weather identification activity. For this scientific instrument lesson, students identify several weather related tools such as the weather vane, thermometer and rain gauge. Students...