ProCon
Standardized Tests
Does the use of standardized testing improve American education? Scholars dive into the issue as they prepare to discuss the debate topic with their classmates. After reviewing the pros and cons, they watch videos to help them arrive at...
Curated OER
Measuring Using Leaves
Students explore geometry by using non-standard measuring methods. For this length estimation lesson, students complete a worksheet in which different objects in their classroom are measured by three different sized leaves. Students draw...
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Comparing Units of Measurement
Fourth graders investigate the units of measurement used by various Native American tribes before they had contact with the Europeans. They write research questions, conduct research using a variety of resources, in small groups write a...
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Units and Measurement
Students discuss the word weight, how much they weigh and the conccept of heavy and light. They hear the story of measurement and the metric system. They work in groups and measure and record items found in the classroom and use a...
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"How Tall, How Short, How Faraway" by David A. Adler
Students list in a journal what "measurement" is. They measure with standard and non-standard units and record data on a class chart. They also construct a meter tape.
National Wildlife Federation
Massive Migrations
Turn your students into flocks of migratory birds for this fun lesson on animal migration. Prior to the activity, the teacher creates four different migration routes in the classroom or any available open space, labeling nesting...
Curated OER
How Tall Are We?
Students in a Kindergarten class measure each other's height using large building blocks and then visit a 2nd and a 4th grade class to measure those students. They display the results in bar graphs, comparing the different age groups.
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Come Fly with Me . . . Open a Book: Travels through Literature
This detailed overview of a curriculum unit suggests using travel literature to engage and stimulate your third graders’ interest in reading. The suggested reading list includes fiction and non-fiction materials and offers urban children...
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Pounds and Ounces: It's All About Weight
First graders explore number sense by participating in a measurement estimation activity. In this weight lesson, 1st graders discuss the differences between measurement units, both English and Metric. Students examine a loaf of bread to...
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Biodiversity
Students complete activities to study the importance of biodiversity. In this biodiversity lesson, students find images to categorize into organism groups and illustrate their interconnections. Students use measurement tools to study a...
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Pesticides in Schools
Students investigate the practices their school uses for pest control. Depending on their findings, students may suggest alternative, non-chemical methods. They present a pest control plan to school officials. Great, real life...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Rocks & Minerals
Take young geologists on an exploration of the rock cycle with this six-lesson earth science unit on rocks and minerals. Through a series of discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on investigations your class will learn about the...
National Wildlife Federation
Master P in the House: An All School Energy and Climate Change Plan
A person in the US uses 20 times more energy than a person in India—that's a drastic difference! The final lesson in the 12-part series goes back to the initial energy audits, analyzes which room showed the most conservation of energy,...
Curated OER
BEETLES: The Coming Out
Students design an experiment to test the variables involved in the hatching of the Bruchid beetle.
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Science: How Tall Are Plants
First graders investigate plant growth and examine what factors contribute to plant growth. They keep a class chart of plant growth and write about and illustrate their conclusions.
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Rainforest Alliance: Biodiversity
Fifth graders compare biodiversity in their neighborhood and in the rainforest. In this biodiversity lesson, 5th graders read stories and gather information about the diversity of life found in their area and in the rainforest. As a...
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Deforestation
Students study the effects of deforestation. For this environmental lesson, students view a PowerPoint slideshow about the importance of trees. Students read The Lorax and discuss what the characters represent in our society.
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The Unknown Secrets of the Rain Forest
Students listen to the story "The Great Kapok" then discuss characteristics of the rain forest. They make several different types of rain forest animals from paper plates (ex. sloth, tigers, monkeys etc) and design costumes for a...
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Enrichment Activities - "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH"
Fifth graders read the novel "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." They discuss the various characters in the book, and the different types of conflict that take place within the book. They also research owls and rats to make comparisons...
Curated OER
Geometric Shapes at the OK Corral
Students explore geometry by utilizing computer software. In this shape identification lesson, students define several geometric shapes by the characteristics that classify them. Students draw and cut out geometric shapes using their...
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U.S. History: What Happened Here?
Students apply the global positioning system to create maps of local historical sites. By collaborating with local historical groups, they research events and relate them to broader, national history. In addition to writing essays...
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Book Search
Fourth graders are introduced to how to use the Dewey Decimal System in libraries. After taking a pre-test, they complete a worksheet in which they determine the location of different books on the internet and on the shelf. To end the...