North American Montessori Center
Sun and Moon Autumnal Equinox Activities
Two hands-on activities celebrate the sun and moon autumnal equinox. First, scholars create a cairn using a shoebox, flashlight, and drawing tools to view the sun's progression. Second, learners take to the kitchen to bake mooncakes...
Curated OER
Out of the Deep
Learners observe, describe, and record characteristics of ocean animals (mammals and fish) and sea shells. They conduct an experiment comparing and contrasting sugar water, salt water and fresh water and create a mural of coral reef...
Curated OER
Pond 2: Life in a Drop of Pond Water
Students observe organisms found in pond water with a microscope. In groups, they discuss how single-celled organisms satisfy their needs for food, water and air. They compare and contrast the needs of macroscopic and microscopic...
Curated OER
Flour Beetles
Students observe life stages in flour beetles and graph the results. They write a summary report.
Curated OER
Introduction To Seasons
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the students to a unit on seasons. The Students will learn how to navigate a PowerPoint presentation. They will use the PowerPoint presentation to take a pre test in order to determine the prior...
Curated OER
What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Air
Students conduct an experiment to determine whether plants need air in order to survive and grow. They discuss natural resources, analyze slides, and observe and record data from the experiment.
Curated OER
Plant Nutrition and Nutrients
Students observe seeds growth and examine the different parts of the seedling. In this biology lesson, students compare the growth of seeds planted in soil and in hydroponics. They record their observations in their science journal and...
Curated OER
What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Light
Students conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need light to survive and grow. They observe and gather data about plant responses to different growth regimes, analyze the data, and make conclusions about basic plant needs.
Curated OER
What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Soil
Students conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need soil to survive and grow. They plant two seeds, one with soil and one without, make predictions, and record and analyze the seed germination results on a worksheet.
Curated OER
Stream Table
Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. ...
Curated OER
Bird Eggs
Young scholars perform an experiment with different types of bird eggs to determine what factors make them strong and able to stay on a cliff without rolling off.
Curated OER
Characteristics of Living Things
Student use the scientific method to experiment with worms. In this characteristics of living things lesson, students predict and examine the reactions of worms to dry and wet soil. Students share their findings.
Curated OER
Floodplain Modeling
Students simulate the impact of fluctuating river volumes on structures and landforms. They experiment with table top-sized riverbed models and water. Students consider how human design can help mitigate the effects of a flood.
Curated OER
Meeting an Earthworm
Students inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm instructional activity, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Students demonstrate mastery through differentiated...
Texas Instruments
When pH Changes What Happens?
Learners explore the pH of water in this fourth through ninth grade science lesson. They test water samples to determine the pH, then record observations at the aquatic site and compare their observations with the pH readings.
Curated OER
Student Designed Investigations: Observations
Students choose an organism and create an experiment with that organism. In this observation lesson, students expose a living thing to something from its environment and record their observations. Students must have some prior knowledge...
Curated OER
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Young scholars examine birdseed to see if it is a fertilized seed. In this birdseed garden lesson, students experiment with birdseed on a sponge to see what grows. Young scholars record the growth of seeds.
Curated OER
Sea World Fieldtrip Follow-up
Students create a graphic organizer in preparation for a web page about a specific science-related topic. This lesson is used as a follow-up to a field trip experience and can be adapted for many different subjects.
Curated OER
Inviting Butterflies to the Schoolyard
Students create a butterfly garden. In this butterfly garden lesson, students plot a garden with plant species that will attract butterflies. Students learn about the specific plants and items that will help butterflies use the garden.
Curated OER
The Secret Life of a French Fry
Students explore where the food they eat comes from. In this food instructional activity, students look at agriculture and food production. They follow the production of a french fry and discuss all the steps it goes through before being...
Curated OER
What Do Snails Eat?
Students conduct a food choice experiment with snails, recording the results on a chart to determine what snails eat. In this what do snails eat lesson, students color a picture of snail anatomy, perform the experiment with 3 food...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Lab (read without sight)
Students consider the senses. In this sight and touch lesson, students discover what it is like to function like a person who is blind. They work in groups and individually on various activities to experience this condition. This lesson...
Curated OER
Science: The Changing Life of Air Pressure
Fourth graders observe demonstrations how heated air rises and becomes a low pressure area. After watching several teacher-conducted experiments, 4th graders, in groups, discuss and answer questions in their journals. Finally, they...
Curated OER
Life of Thomas Edison
Students research the life of Thomas Edison. For this Thomas Edison lesson, students explore major life events of Thomas Edison. Students investigate the inventions of Thomas Edison. Students discover how various fields of study...