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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fun With Chemical Changes

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe and identify the differences between chemical and physical changes. In small groups they mix different substances together in glass beakers, and identify which had a chemical change, supporting their statements...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Sugar

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this chemical and physical change worksheet, students use a sugar cube and observe its physical properties both when it is whole and after it is crushed. They heat the sugar cube and record 5 properties of the matter while being...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Reactions

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this chemical reaction worksheet, students investigate the results of mixing calcium chloride with sodium bicarbonate. They observe the chemical and physical changes that occur, identify the properties of the chemical before and after...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Prairie

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design an animal.  For this prairie lesson, students learn about physical and behavioral adaptation, locate the Great Plains on a map, and design an animal that would be perfectly adapted for life on the prairie.  Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Changes

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine and identify chemical and physical changes in a variety of substances. They observe a vinegar and baking soda demonstration, and a water, laundry detergent, and Epsom salt mixture demonstration. They discuss the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Is No Such Thing as a Perfect Pumpkin

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore using descriptive words to describe physical appearance. In this appearance instructional activity, students look at pumpkins and discuss how there is not a perfect pumpkin. Students also hypothesize about what the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes in the Copper Penny

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the difference between a physical change in a substance and a chemical change. students study the volume, density, altering shape and chemistry of a copper penny.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weathering

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this weathering worksheet, students investigate the effects of water and acid on limestone. They form a hypothesis for both and experiment to find the results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Big Enough?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the concept of density and buoyancy. In this physics lesson, students discover the different factors that affect an object's density and buoyancy in water. Students conduct several investigations to further understand...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Disposable Diaper Comparison and Mystery Powder Identification

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students investigate which diaper is the most absorbent. In this chemistry instructional activity, students calculate how much water is absorbed by diapers. They identify an unknown powder based on physical and chemical properties.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Foraging to Farming

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students experience the difficulty that goes along with foraging for food. For this lesson on the importance of modern agriculture, students simulate how there simply is not enough food and water for everyone when agricultural means are...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Relationship of Mass to Volume

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the relationship of mass to volume. In this physical science lesson, 3rd graders participate in an investigation with a several materials and measure the mass and volume using scientific tools. Students discuss and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

String Telephones and Musical Straws

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate pitches of sound.  In this physical science lesson plan, 4th graders participate in two activities that help them explore pitch--one activity has them working with string telephones and the amount of tension...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density Challenge

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students calculate the densities of several liquids that appear similar.  In this physical science lesson, students go beyond understanding the way liquids of different densities behave to researching how this knowledge applies in real...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life Cycle of a Star

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the life cycle of a star and make conclusions based on evidence, research, and observation.  In this lesson on space and scientific investigation, students describe the relationships between science and technology...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnets

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students complete a series of experiments using magnets. In this physical science and magnetism lesson plan, students first predict and test the magnetic properties of various objects, then students determine if the size of a magnet...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Types of Energy in Different Objects

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate forms of energy. In this physical science energy lesson, students work with a partner classifying household items according to the type of energy they have. Students complete a related worksheet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

PRIMARY Activity: Racing Jars

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore how mass affects speed in this hands-on physics experiment. In this mass and speed lesson, students fill a baby food jar with water and leave a second jar empty. They roll the 2 jars down a ramp to observe which jar will...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Ecology

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate the three states of water. In this physical science instructional activity, students watch the video "Earth's Ecology" and observe water in its' three states. Students record observations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simply Circuitry and Series Circuit

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate a series circuit. In this physical science activity, students use a battery, switch, and light bulbs to build an electrical circuit. Students identify the standard symbols being used in electric circuitry.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kaleidoscope

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore energy by creating a light project in class. In this kaleidoscope lesson plan, students discuss the properties of light and how mirrors can reflect the energy in different directions. Students view a diagram of light...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing Properties of Matter

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore matter. In this physical science lesson, 3rd graders observe several items and use their five senses to describe their properties. Students record their observations and share with the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chromatography Lab

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students discover the components of primary and secondary colors. In this physical science lesson, students create a set up in which water will separate a color into the component colors along a piece of filter paper. Students will then...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coupled Resonant Pendulums

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Learners discover every pendulum has a natural vibration cycle that depends on its length.  In this physical science lesson, students participate in an experiment that shows the natural vibration frequency of two pendulums is the same if...