Curated OER
Planting Pumpkins
Learners plant pumpkins. In this agriculture lesson, students use pumpkin seeds, mulch, and shovels to plant seeds from a pumpkin. Learners observe the changes during each season.
Curated OER
The Unique Rain Forest
Young scholars explore the unique Rain Forest. In this Rain Forest lesson, students watch a video about the dangers the Rain Forest faces. Young scholars create a Rain Forest mobile. Students choose plants or animals from the...
Curated OER
Friction in Our Lives
Students explore force and friction. In this force and friction lesson, students discover everyday examples of how friction helps and hinders things we do. Students create a ramp to test the speed of their car. Students use...
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Habitats of the World
Students discover that the Earth supports many different animal habitats. In this habitat lesson students research different habitats of the world. Students show how the animals in their habitat are adapted.
Curated OER
Look Up!
Students investigate the sky. In this weather and clouds lesson, students observe the sky and write journal entries using their five senses to describe what they see. Students observe, identify, and write about the different...
Curated OER
Primary Lessons for Grades K-2
Students study wildlife and identify similarities and differences between their home and wild environments. In this wildlife lesson plan, students make connections between wildlife and wildlife habitats. Students then build...
Curated OER
Compare Topography of Earth and Mars with a Worldwide Telescope
Students compare geography to topography. In this topography lesson, students examine the topography of the surfaces of the Earth. Students compare one feature of Earth to one feature of Mars and present in a PowerPoint.
Curated OER
Toilet Paper Geologic Time Scale
Students examine and demonstrate the extent of geologic time compared to recent time. They develop a demonstration of geologic time using an unrolled roll of toilet paper, with each sheet of toilet paper representing 20 million years.
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Leaves
Students engage in a lesson which gives them a better understanding of how the water system of a plant works. They make leaves that demonstrate how the water moves through them. Students use coffee filters, water and food coloring to...
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Rock Your World
Young scholars define soil, dirt, clay, silt, and sand. They conduct an online scavenger hunt, answer pre-written online questions on a piece of paper, and play the Earth Materials Game after completing the scavenger hunt.
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Webs and Spiders
Students see how a spider spins her webs. They use yarn, pipe cleaners, eyes and glue to make the spider. For the web, students stand in a circle. They throw the ball of yarn across the circle. This begins the nice web shape. Students...
Curated OER
Water and Land Ecosystems
Students investigate the differences between a land and aquatic ecosystem. They use the information in order to present it in an assessment. There are target questions that can be used to guide research, lead a classroom discussion, or...
Mary Pope Osborne, Classroom Adventures Program
Mummies in the Morning Egyptian pyramids, hieroglyphics
Visit the Magic Treehouse and take your class on a trip through time with a reading of the children's book Mummies in the Morning. Using the story to spark an investigation into Egyptian culture, this literature unit engages...
National First Ladies' Library
Fitness for Life
Students discuss their favorite activities and determine which activities are suitable for older people. In groups, students research the benefits of aerobic exercises and the equipment needed. Students share their information with the...
Curated OER
Easy Whales Crossword Puzzle
In this vocabulary worksheet, students examine facts about whales by solving a 6 clue crossword puzzle. Students also color the picture.
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Mountain Pine Beetle
Young scholars identify the different parts of a tree. In this biology lesson, students investigate how mountain pine beetles kill trees. They examine the beetles' anatomy using a microscope.
Curated OER
Aquatic Ecosystems
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.
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Hidden Hibernators
Young scholars review the concept of hibernation and the animals that sleep during all or part of the winter. They complete the Hibernation Word Search Puzzle to name 16 animals that hibernate during the winter months.
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From One Seed Grow Many Seeds
First graders practice identifying plants by singing a song. In this plant life lesson, 1st graders sing the song "Parts of a Plant" which is based on the anatomy of sunflowers. Students discover agriculture techniques while...
Curated OER
Learning about Animals
Students chose one animal to research. They research the animal using the internet using the sites provided. They also research using books from the library. They conclude the lesson by writing a one page story about their animal...
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Nature's Recyclers
Students create environments to demonstrate how earthworms interact with their surroundings.
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Tree Hunt
Students 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. Students...
Curated OER
Animal Encyclopedia Search
Students use an online encyclopedia to gather information about animals. They identify habits of ten animals they find interesting. They share their information with the class.
Curated OER
Mouse
First graders are exposed to a variety of texts that deal with mice. The use of the library is recommended to saturate the classroom with available books. Young students work in groups with the help of the teacher to define traits and...