First graders ponder the question of how plants help their lives. They observe and compare properties of several different plants. Differentiate between living organisms and nonliving objects.

Students explore the process of decomposition. In this science lesson, students carve a pumpkin and observe as it decomposes. Students compare the changes to an uncarved pumpkin. Students write about the disappearing pumpkin.

Students examine a mural of animals and talk about animal classification. They act as scientists and keep a record, called a Jungle Journal, of plants and animals they observe while studying the rainforest.

Students explore the process of decomposition in plants. In this plant biology activity, students use a cleaned out pumpkin and observe how the decomposition process takes place. Students write down adjectives to describe the pumpkin.

Students discover what a coral reef is and the animals that live there. In this ecosystem lesson, students act out a story with ocean organisms. They answer questions that show the interdependency of the sea animals. 

Learners examine pictures of different animals and decide if they eat meat and/or plants. They inspect models of pairs of upper and lower teeth and discuss which teeth are most useful for cutting grass and tearing meat.

Students discover the oceanic food chain.  In this healthy eating instructional activity, student investigate the fish we eat and the food the fish eat.  Students discover what ocean animals eat seaweed and what everyday foods...

Young scholars explore the unique Rain Forest. In this Rain Forest instructional activity, students watch a video about the dangers the Rain Forest faces. Young scholars create a Rain Forest mobile. Students choose  plants or...

First graders complete a variety of activities about fall. They study a plant's life cycle and what happens to plants in the fall. They make leaf rubbings and discuss seed dispersal. They write a creative story about a seed and visit a...

In this creative lesson on seeds, 1st graders listen as the book The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle is read to them about the life of a seed. Students then draw a picture to show the life cycle of a seed in each season.

Students appreciate the natural environment.  In this "four L's" lesson, students  observe, reflect and appreciate unique ecosystems and how they help sustain life.  Students create posters with the four L's.

Students compare and contrast fresh and salt water coastal environments. After describing how sea animals adapt to their habitats, they design a variety of sea creatures and explain how the adaptations aid in the animals' survival. ...

Students discover four layers of the rain forest and identify the life of animals at each level.

Students observe real fossils. In this science lesson, students make their own mud fossils by pressing material into the mud and letting it dry in the sun for 3-4 days. Students then get the fossils out displaying their mud...

Students study ponds and wetland ecosystems and examine the food chains and webs in them.  In this aquatic ecosystems lesson students answer questions about the diversity of the flora and fauna in a pond. 

Students illustrate the major parts of a plant, classify some plant foods we eat as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. They also name some animals that use seeds, leaves, and fruit for food.

Learners explore Halloween by examining pumpkins in class. In this pumpkin observation instructional activity, young scholars discuss the method in which pumpkins are grown and the time line it takes a pumpkin to grow from a seed....

Students investigate the stages of the Monarch butterfly and its life cycle.  In this butterfly life cycle lesson, students discuss when, where, and how the Monarch butterflies lay their eggs.  After discussion, students...

Students germinate a Mung Bean seed. In this seed lesson students conduct an experiment germinating a Mung Bean. They apply three different treatments to the seeds: dry, moist, and underwater incubation.

Science, social studies, language arts, and art classes work together with administrators to produce a permanent, ceramic tile wall mural to install at their school. 

Students create friendship bracelets and quilt squares. In this plant lesson student dye their own string and cotton material with plant pigments. Students use the naturally dyed materials to create the friendship bracelets and quilt...

First graders investigate why plants are an important part of our everyday lives, providing us with food, clothing, shelter, etc. In this lesson students participate in a series of hands-on, online, and multimedia activities to examine...

Young scholars understand that all living things have a life cycle that includes being born, developing into an adult, reproducing, and eventually dying.

Students study the intertidal habitat, tidal pools and the organisms that live in them.  In this aquatic ecosystems activity students take a field trip and experience first hand the local seashore environment.