Curated OER
Sink or Float
Third graders sort objects into those they think will float and those that will sink and test their predictions. They experiment with clay molding it into shapes that float. They place pennies in them until they sink. They test other...
Curated OER
Big Bones, Little Bones
Students investigate archeology. In this archeology lesson, students research the process of excavation. Students participate in a mock-excavation and sort objects by physical properties.
Curated OER
It Matters
Students use descriptive vocabulary to discuss the attributes of matter. Then, they sort objects or pictures by the type of matter they are comprised of. Finally, students match objects of matter with similar attributes and create a...
Curated OER
Properties of Magnetic Forces
Students explore what a magnetic force is and what kinds of objects are attracted to a magnet. They use a magnet to sort objects taht are and are not attracted to a magnet. Students then explain why the objects were or were not...
Curated OER
Teaching Arithmetic and Math Concepts to Headstarters
Students discover early number concepts for numbers 1 through 5. In this number concepts lesson, students work in stations doing hands-on activities such as sorting colored blocks, stringing beads, and counting sticks. Students also...
Curated OER
Human or Natural?
Young scholars explore nature by participating in a class lab activity. For this human vs. nature lesson, students examine a group of items in their classroom and discuss whether they were created naturally or have been altered or...
Curated OER
What's the Attraction
Students sort objects based on magnetism. In this magnetism lesson, students are given a variety of objects, then predict whether the object will be attracted to a magnet and test their hypothesis as they sort the objects into "yes" and...
Curated OER
Sorting and Using Materials
Students practice sorting and classifying objects. In groups, they choose a variety of materials and describe how each one looks and feels. They must agree on how to classify each object and share their groupings with the class. They...
Curated OER
Sorting "Good" Junk (Recycling)
Second graders study recycling. In this environment instructional activity, 2nd graders discuss how to sort trash, sort actual trash labeling it, and explore the trash writing new uses of each item of trash instead of throwing the...
Curated OER
Activity Plan 4-5: Opposites Attract!
Students experiment with magnets and sort objects based on magnetism. In this hands-on physical science lesson, the children are introduced to magnetism through discussion and experimentation and have the opportunity to use different...
Curated OER
Magnets: Magnetic Pick-Ups
Fourth graders investigate the affect of magnetism on various objects. They determine ways of sorting or classifying objects. Students examine what features of objects determine whether they are attracted to a magnet. They record their...
Curated OER
Classifying Rocks
A well-designed lesson plan on rock classification awaits you. In it, fifth graders are divided into groups. Each group is given a box of rocks which they must sort into two categories. They use the "Rock 'n Roll Rule," in making their...
Curated OER
From Curiosity Cabinet to Museum Collection
Students study binomial nomenclature and museum-based research. They create a curiosity box, label the objects in their curiosity box , develop a classification scheme for the objects, and create a database of all objects collected by...
Curated OER
Move It!!!
Students explore motion by observing the movement of people and duplicating those movements. They compare and contrast various kinds of movements and identify different types of movements in pictures. They build an object that can be...
Science 4 Inquiry
The Classification of Living Things
It's a classification sensation! Demystify why we classify using an inquiry activity that helps your class sort things out. Groups begin by classifying a variety of shoes before they research organisms and design their own dichotomous...
BBC
Light and Shadows
Light is such an amazing thing! Elementary schoolers explore the wonderful world of light and shadow. The activity is meant to be carried out on a whiteboard. Objects are placed in front of a light source, and learners must predict what...
Shodor Education Foundation
Sets and the Venn Diagram (Beginner)
Venn diagrams are helpful in understanding the idea of a set and using attributes to sort items. This basic plan is an introduction with an added bonus of an applet that can be used to demonstrate the activity. If a classroom of...
Curated OER
Animals Piece by Piece
Students sort organisms and objects into groups according to their parts and describe how the groups are formed.They identify body parts of animals from puzzle pieces, assemble the puzzle, and name the animal.
Curated OER
The Grouchy Ladybug
Learners learn about sorting and classifying objects by size while reading Eric Carle's "The Grouchy Ladybug". In this sorting and classifying instructional activity, students first listen to and interact with the story. They then look...
Curated OER
Investigation - I've Got It
Learners explore patterns by participating in a sorting activity. In this pattern identification activity, students collaborate in a group and share their footwear in order to categorize each other's shoes based on similar...
Curated OER
Look At Those Leaves!
Students sort tree leaves. In this plant biology instructional activity, students collect leaves and group them according to size, shape, and color. Students discuss their observations.
Curated OER
Cereal Box Blocks and More!
Students sort and categorize different types of boxes and cartons. In this sorting lesson, students designate areas of the room to put different sizes, styles, or colors of boxes. They help their teacher count and graph the different...
Curated OER
Rhyming Objects
Students explore language arts by reading Dr. Seuss stories in class. In this word play lesson, students identify the rhymes in both Dr. Seuss and Nursery Rhyme stories. Students utilize flash cards with rhymes written on them to play a...
Curated OER
Investigating the Types of Energy in Different Objects
Students investigate forms of energy. In this physical science energy lesson, students work with a partner classifying household items according to the type of energy they have. Students complete a related worksheet.