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Water Cycle
Young scientists explore Earth elements by conducting an experiment. They define water vocabulary terms such as condensation and precipitation. In addition, they conduct a water experiment in which they build a terrarium, so they can...
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2.0 "Water Is Life" Global Water Awareness Mini-Unit (Grades3-5)
Students study the amount of potable water on the Earth. In this water lesson plan, students examine the amount of potable water as compared to all the water on the Earth. They discuss why many parts of the world do not have access to...
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Sink or Float
Students explore water properties by conducting a class experiment. In this buoyancy lesson, students make predictions as to whether or not specific objects will sink or float in water. Students conduct the experiment and record their...
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Water Wonders
Students measure the amount of surface tension using a balance scale after a classroom demonstration students diagram the appearance of several liquids and label them.
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What Are Elements?
Students investigate elements by by defining scientific terms. For this Periodic Table of Elements lesson, students utilize a glass of water, and powdered fruit drink to perform a lab activity demonstrating properties of certain...
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Aluminum Boats
Students study buoyancy with an in-class experiment. In this water properties lesson plan, students create a boat from aluminum foil and float it in a bucket of water. Students utilize coins to change the weight of the boat and record...
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Measuring Natural Objects
Learners predict the measurement of objects. In this measurement lesson, students estimate the measurements of objects in a lab. Learners measure irregular objects and generate scientific observations.
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Freshwater/Saltwater "Eggs-Periment"
Young scholars explore water properties by conducting a class experiment. In this buoyancy lesson, students utilize freshwater, saltwater, plastic cups, hard boiled eggs and food coloring to experiment with the floating capabilities of...
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Heat and Matter
Students explore liquids and solids by conducting in class experiments. For this matter lesson, students define the properties of matter and how heat can change those properties. Students experiment with heating objects such as butter...
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Density
Students find the mass, volume, and density of various objects. In this density measurement lesson, students observe how same-sized objects can have different masses, then use water displacement to find the density of each object and...
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Aqua-Thrusters!
Students construct their own rocket-powered boat called an "aqua-thruster." These aqua-thrusters will be made from a film canister and will use carbon dioxide gas - produced from a chemical reaction between an antacid tablet and water -...
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Lung Limit
Students explore one's lung capacity, the human body, displacing volume of water with volume of air and spirometer use. Using simple math, students figure out their lung capacity by breathing into a bottle filled with water and...
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Trash Count
Students identify pollution around their local community. They discuss the sources of polution and categorize objects based on their properties. They discover ways to make changes to the environment and how to inform the public.
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Exploring and Oregon Commodity
A fun (and delicious!) lesson teaches measurement to your third graders. They work in small groups to first predict, then to measure the weight, circumference, and number of seeds found in a watermelon. Everyone gets to eat watermelon...
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Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns
What does it mean to grow? To germinate? For the plan detailed here, class members investigate the growth process of an oak tree while focusing on the beginning stages of planting and germination. They plant seeds and record observations...
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Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson
Students discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers. In this environmental lesson, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on the...
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Liquid Level
Students observe liquids in different containers and then explore the concept that liquids have level surfaces. They identify those who are not at the center to reinforce the concept of liquid levels with a representational puzzle and...
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States of Matter
Students study the vocabulary of the states of matter. In this states of matter vocabulary lesson, students investigate and study the meaning of the words solid, liquid, and gas. They experience demonstration lessons that give them...
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Separating Soup Mix
Students use screens of three sizes to separate a mixture of five solid materials. They plan and conduct simple investigations using appropriate tools, measures, and safety rules and record and report observations, explanations, and...
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Everybody Needs a Rock
Students, after making quantitative and qualitative observations of their rocks, construct a Venn diagram or dichotomous key to classify their rocks.
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Addendum to the Written Curriculum: Measuring Solids
Students use standard rulers to measure the length of common classroom items - such as pencils, books, desk tops - in inches and centimeters, and measure weight in pounds. They also answer math questions, such as "How long is the front...