Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Amazing Birds
What's so amazing about birds? Find out just how amazing birds are with a physics of animal behavior unit created by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Have learners explore and tap into their observational skills and notice how birds fly, what...
Curated OER
Readings in Hudson River Natural History
Reading and understanding informational text is a key element to understanding every discipline. Elementary learners read three different articles focused on various animals and habitats in the Hudson River. They answer comprehension...
Curated OER
Marshland Ecosystems
Students 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...
Curated OER
Flight Dreams - Flight Factors
Young scholars investigate the physics of flight by experimenting in class. In this history of flight lesson, students define terms such as gravity, lift, and drag in order to better understand how a plane is able to stay in the air....
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Growing Up With A Mission
New Horizons began its journey to Pluto in 2006. Ten years later, it continues its mission. In that time, scholars have surely grown, but how much more will they grow by the time New Horizons reaches its destination? Find out with an...
Curated OER
Vibrant Volcanoes
Students explore volcanoes. In this science lesson, students discuss the characteristics of volcanoes and view a video segment about a volcano. Students examine plate tectonics.
Cornell University
Insect Anatomy
Young entomologists discover insect anatomy in a very detailed unit plan. Offering background information for teachers about various insects, class members explore the differences between bugs and insects—and yes, there are many...
Curated OER
Human Anatomy- How Do We Move?
Students examine the muscular system. In this muscular system lesson, students first draw a realistic representation of their leg or arm bones. Students do several activities to attach these bones to "joints" with string to simulate the...
Curated OER
Dirty Decomposers
Learners explore the ecosystem by conducting a ziploc bag experiment. In this recycling lesson, students identify decomposer organisms in our environment and how they speed up the recycling process. Learners utilize a ziploc plastic bag,...
Curated OER
Germs and the Body
Students explore biology by completing an illness worksheet. In this human germs lesson, students identify how germs are transferred from one body to another and the prevention methods that can be taken. Students complete a worksheet...
Curated OER
Quieting Down Muscles and Bones
Young scholars familiarize themselves with the proper names of muscles and bones and where they are located.
Curated OER
Just The Fax
Learners discover how a fax machine works including: how a light sensor works, how light is reflected and how signals move across telephone lines. A "bingo" type game is played where students simulate the work of a fax machine to create...
Curated OER
California Geography
Fourth graders explore geography of four distinct regions of California: mountains, coast, central valley, and desert. They locate California on map, identify state's boundaries and borders, and explore agriculture, a major economic...
Curated OER
Measure Up!
Discover ways to measure items without standard tools. In this measurements lesson, learners estimate how long certain objects are by measuring with a non-standard measuring tool. Students check their estimates with a ruler and share...