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Life Science- Learning About Tadpoles
Students investigate a frog's life cycle. In this tadpole lesson plan, students observe tadpoles in an aquarium and record results. Students fill in a KWL chart as an assessment.
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Oceans in Motion
This simple lesson introduces children to basic marine life as well as to show them the necessity of protecting aquatic environments. Some famous marine life animals are introduced via vocabulary words, then children cut out pictures of...
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A Frog's Life Story
Students investigate the lives of frogs by completing several worksheets. In this biology instructional activity, students discover the life cycle of a frog from tadpole to death. Students complete frog life cycle puzzle as well as...
Space Awareness
Investigating the Atmosphere - Air Takes Up Space
How do you know there is air? Can you see it, smell it, feel it? To begin the investigation, learners watch a video and discuss what they know about air and the atmosphere. Then, they participate in five different hands-on, inquiry-based...
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Kirigami: The Ancient Art of Paper Cutting
Young scholars perform inquiry into the ancient art of Kirigami. The research provides a context for the lesson and how it is related to History. Students also appreciate the art for the sake of its contribution to culture.
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It Counts
Students classify and compare plants using specific information, observations, and numbers. In this mathematical inquiry lesson, students use plant characteristics to describe, compare, and classify them. They attempt to develop a system...
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Plant Power
Here is an opportunity for your first graders to take a close look at plants: what they need to survive, how they grow, and the names of each plant part. The book, Corduroy's Garden is used to open the lesson. Then, youngsters utilize...
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Aquatic Life
Students explore aquatic life. In this science lesson, students visit an aquatic ecosystem and collect animals found there. Students create a food chain for the aquatic ecosystem.
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Colds and Germs
Students determine how diseases are spread from one person to another. They investigate the importance of hand washing to reduce the spread of common colds and other diseases. They listen to teacher read alouds and complete an inquiry...
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Sink or Float?
Students predict and test different items to see if they sink or float. In this sink and float lesson plan, students predict whether an item is buoyant or not, and learn that size and weight do not matter when it comes to buoyancy.
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Forest Friends Forever
Students investigate how to use the senses to gather information about objects such as size, shape, color, texture, sound, position, and change (qualitative observations are utilized throughout this lesson). They investigate and explain...
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Cardboard Tree and Endangered Animals Lesson
Students create endangered animal figures and their habitats.
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RAINFOREST Mini-Unit
Students engage in a variety of activities to investigate the subject of rainforests. The lesson focuses on the different floors of the rainforest and the types of life that exists on each.
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Tree Hunt
Young scholars identify the common trees of Iowa and make observations while creating a key. In this tree hunt lesson, students write a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to receive a pamphlet of Common Trees of Iowa....
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The Unique Rain Forest
Students explore the unique Rain Forest. In this Rain Forest instructional activity, students watch a video about the dangers the Rain Forest faces. Students create a Rain Forest mobile. Students choose plants or animals from the...
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The Tadpole and the Frog
First graders examine the life cycle of the frog, and research frogs of the Nez Perce reservation and their requirements for survival. They observe the development of frog eggs and record their observations in science journals.
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The Frog and the Ol' Black Fly
Students explore frogs. For this cross curriculum literacy and frogs lesson, students predict the plot and then listen to the book The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner. Students define "predator" and identify foods a frog might eat. ...
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Fred the Fish -- A River Ran Wild
Students apply cause and effect relationships to water pollution in a stream. In this pollution activity students recognize the importance of clean water in their daily lives. Students accompany "Fred the Fish" as he travels down stream....
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Soil Treasure Hunt
Learners explore the concept of soil and decomposition. In this soil and decomposition lesson, students investigate bags of soil. Learners then learn how animals and other organisms help in the decomposition process.
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Where are all the Animals?
Students view animals that camouflage at the Shedd aquarium website. In this camouflage lesson, students recognize that there are different types of camouflage, cryptic coloring, counter-shading, warning coloration and mimicry. Students...
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The Colors of Seasons
Students observe each season and and mark the colors they see. In this colors of the seasons lessons, students read The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds and compare their results and note variations of colors in the different...
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Fishing
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman. For this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Calling All Owls
Students research various types of owls. In this owls lesson, students observe owls and discuss their characteristics. Students go to an owl habitat and listen for the call of an owl. Students read The Owl in the Shower and debate the...
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Habitat Sunprints
Students recognize various habitats and where they are found. For this habitat sunprints lesson, students observe the contents of habitats and record what the sunprint might represent. Students use blueprint paper and small natural...