Channel Islands Film
Arlington Springs Man: Lesson Plan 1
Learning to craft quality questions is a skill that can be taught. Class members use the Question Formulation Technique to learn how to create and refine both closed-ended and open-ended questions. They then view West of the West's...
Curated OER
Graphic Organizer: Research Note Taking Made Easy
What do you wonder about bats? Use an open-ended question like this to engage your class and interest them in an upcoming research project. There's a list of example questions to offer or suggest regarding bats, but see what they can...
Curated OER
Introduction to Scientific Theory
Ninth graders explain how scientists set up investigations. In this scientific process lesson, 9th graders review the principles of the scientific method and use these skills to answer an open-ended question about how to set up a...
Curated OER
The Effects of Alcohol and other Teratogens: A model using Zebrafish
Young scholars investigate the interference of various drugs on an embryo through experimentation. This is an open-ended lab to allow students to see effects of various chemicals humans choose to put in their bodies and create...
Teach Engineering
Earthquakes Living Lab: Geology and Earthquakes in Japan
Sometimes it seems as if earthquakes hit the same places over and over again. Class members study Japan in order to determine why earthquakes keep happening there. Pairs work together to research and try to determine whether there are...
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Discovering Cells
Students will learn about the pioneers who discovered the cell and its parts. They will be able to relate advances in microscope technology to the discoveries. Students diagram a time line and answer questions at the end to check for...
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Matter
First graders are read a story about the various stages of matter with a focus on gases. Using a ziploc bag, they capture as much air as possible and discuss how it takes up space even though it is invisible. To end the lesson, they blow...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Personal Choices and the Planet
How big is your footprint? Activity three culminates the series by having groups complete carbon footprint audits with people in their schools and/or around the districts. Groups then gather their data, create a presentation including...
NOAA
Oceans of Energy
Are the earth's oceans really just giant batteries, waiting for their energy to be harnessed? Middle school mechanical engineers will be shocked by the amazing amount of energy that forms around them after diving into part four of a...
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Nuclear Scientists Project
Students explore nuclear scientists. In this nuclear science research instructional activity, students choose a scientist who has contributed to nuclear theory, research his/her life and accomplishments, and write a paper. Students...
Water
Global Water Supply Middle School Curriculum
We take a steady shower stream and clean drinking water for granted, but in many countries around the world, the lack of water or a clean water supply is responsible for higher sickness and death rates. Taking a closer look at the water...
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Learning the Parts of a Plant
First graders discover the anatomy of a plant by labeling a picture. In this botany lesson, 1st graders examine and dissect several real plants in class and define their different parts. Students utilize the Internet to view...
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Who Gets to Invent and How Do Inventors Change Our Lives?
Students examine the way various inventions have changed their lives. As a class, they create a timeline of the most important inventions during their lifetime and another timeline of how old they were when it was invented. ...
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Learning the Basic Levers...One, Two, Three: Different Basic Arrangements Levers
Fifth graders read information about levers. They complete worksheets to summarize their learning. This lesson relies heavily on the Silver Burdett Ginn text, Science Discovery Works, Energy, Work, and Machines. The lesson will not be...
Curated OER
Digging Up Dino Data
Third graders use the Internet to research a specific dinosaur. They work in pairs and individually to browse dinosaur websites, take notes on pertinent information, write, edit and illustrate reports. They post their work.
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My Five Senses 2
Students investigate the five senses. In this five senses activity, students answer essential questions about the use of the five senses as they interact with their environment. They use a computer software program to make a concept web...
National Park Service
Same Colors, Different Flavors
Who says getting to know your neighbors has to be difficult? The first resource in a three-part series creates an engaging project that teaches your scholars about Canadian culture. A question-and-answer format takes place via e-mail and...
Curated OER
Locating Patterns of Volcano Distribution
Students examine patterns of volcanic distribution worldwide, use tables to plot and label location of each volcano on map, lightly shade areas where volcanoes are found, and complete open-ended worksheet based on their findings.
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What Parts Are There to a Plant?
Learners explore botany by completing plant science worksheets. In this plant anatomy instructional activity, students examine real vegetables in class using magnifying glasses. Learners identify the plants anatomy and complete...
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Fish and zooplankton habitat through remote sensing
Students are exposed to the variety of ways in which scientist use remote sensing and it used in everyday life. They investigate about zooplankton and fish. Students list the two important groups of organisms in both aquatic and marine...
Curated OER
Human Body Board Game
Young scholars research a system of the body. They write questions and answers on game cards using Microsoft Word. Students play the game they created using a game board template from Word.
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The Designed World
Young scholars visit a school or public library and study how information is organized. In this information management lesson, students answer a group of questions about the organizational method of the library. Young scholars then...
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The Water Cycle - Main Components
Present the water cycle to your middle schoolers with this instructional activity. After an anticipatory set, they participate in a Q & A session about the terms associated with the water cycle: evaporation, transpiration,...
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Fish Kills
Eleventh graders formulate their own research questions, explore and locate information, assess their findings, and present their information.