Curated OER
Map the Constellations
Students build constellation guides from empty sotf drink cans. Using star charts, they use straight pins to mark the major stars in the constellations. After turning the charts over, they connect the dots. When they look through cans...
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Marshland Ecosystems
Learners identify animals in ecosystem depicted on 16th Century ceramic basin and classify them as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores based on physical characteristics and prior knowledge, determine which life forms in ecosystem are...
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Keeping Warm When it is Cold: How does a polar bear keep warm?
Students make a model of a polar bear and discuss why fur/skin color is important. They also perform a simple experiment using black and white socks to determine how color affects temperature.
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Ants
Third graders study the habits and habitats of ants. They research the use of technology as a valuable investigation tool and access other web sites for future research projects. The students make successful decisions while playing SimAnt.
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Electricity and Energy
Learners demonstrate that electricity can flow in a circuit. They demonstrate safe practices during lab investigations.
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Finding Balance
Young scholars examine the relationships between force, mass and balance through the lens of clay sculpture. They discuss the definitions and concepts behind Newton's Third Law of motion then individually apply these principles to the...
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Ocean Murals
Students identify characteristics of water. They describe the process by which light decreases and pressure increases as water depth increases. They demonstrate the principle of water pressure in a small group experiment.
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And the Verdict Is...
Students identify the unique pattern DNA forms in each individual, and how that pattern can be used to identify criminals. They have the opportunity to simulate the process of matching DNA samples to those taken at a crime scene.
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How the Great Salt Lake Relates To Us
Third graders name at least three resources that come for the Great Salt Lake. They describe at least one product that is made from each resource. They name and locate on a map at least five different geographic regions where Great...
National First Ladies' Library
Save the Animals: The Creation of the ASPCA
Students read Black Beauty and study the history of the founding of the ASPCA and learn about endangered species today. Then they write a short paper about the book, or on some aspect of the history of the ASPCA, and, after exploring the...
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Human Body Simon Says
Learners display their new knowledge of human body parts' names and locations, by playing an adaptation of the game Simon Says. A more sophisticated version of the game can be played with older students as they learn more specific names...
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An Introduction to Light Unit-Third Grade
Third graders are introduced to light in an eight part unit which includes activities, additional resources, and rubrics for each part. Students address topics such as energy, reflection, absorption, and refraction through hands-on...
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Economy of Ecology
Students work in groups to decide which statement best fits with each type of sustainable development from a handout about specific strategies countries are utilizing to promote sustainable development.
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What Makes Shadows? Observing and Drawing Shadows
Students make accurate drawings of a classmate's shadow. They note position of the sun in the sky. They identify a connection between the direction of the shadow and the location of the sun. They observe changes in shadows over time.
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Conservation in Costa Rica
Students brainstorm what they do that requires land use and use a worksheet to calculate their footprint (the total area of land and water required to produce all the resources they consume). They then compare their footprints to each...
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Brine Shrimp Life Cycle
Third graders examine brine shrimp through "A Sea Monkey's Life" story. They study the living environments and life cycle of brine shrimp. They look at brine shrimp and cysts through a microscope, identifying new vocabulary that was...
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Exploring the Great Salt Lake
Third graders participate in a scavenger hunt, looking for things that are unique about the ecosystem in and around the lake. They observe and describe a variety of habitats and distinguish living and nonliving elements of...
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Algae Part One: An Introduction
Students have the opportunity to view two types of algae under 400x magnification with a compound microscope. They make observations and record their observations through drawings and words. In addition, they identify different qualities...
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Readings in Hudson River Natural History: Understanding Informational Text
After reading a series of informational articles regarding the Hudson River Estuary, the class will answer a series of comprehension questions. An answer key is provided but the articles and worksheets are not.
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Studying the ABC's of the Environment
Third graders choose a letter of the alphabet and find an environmental topic to research that begins with the same letter. They prepare an article and illustration about their topic and compile them into a class environmental alphabet...
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Draft-o-Meter
Students conduct an experiment to measure the location and amount of air drafts present in their homes. They discuss the effects of drafts on healing and cooling efficiency in their homes.
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Language Arts: A "Perfect" Lesson
Pupils read "Be A Perfect Person in Just three days," and participate in a host of activities. Connected to technology, they use online sources to create word searches and puzzles from vocabulary words. In addition, students create...
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Evaporation
Students explain the process of evaporation using an activity that allows students to see the gradual disappearance of water.
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Bubbles and Wind Currents
Students are introduced to wind and wind movement by observing, predicting, and experimenting with simple materials.