Georgia Department of Education
Living Things/ Nonliving Things
How can you tell if something is living or nonliving? Introduce a set of criteria which can be used to determine which things are alive and which are not. The class discusses the basic needs of all living organisms, checks out an...
Curated OER
Vegetable Twister
Second graders study the changes in organisms over time. In this Life Science lesson, 2nd graders explore how living things react to changes in the environment. Students identify the basic needs of living things.
Curated OER
Basic Needs of Living Things-Lesson Three
Fourth graders explore the interconnectedness of organisms in the environment and examine how different organisms obtain their basic needs. They discuss a frog's habitat and what is found in it. Students discuss the processes of...
Curated OER
Help the Duck Find Her Babies
Students are introduced to a basic characteristic and need of living things-the ability and need to reproduce. They investigate how birds (and people) attract mates. Students discover how to build a nest. They discuss the needs and...
Population Connection
Meeting Human Needs
How to meet the needs of people around the globe—a question many ask. The fifth in a six-part series about human population and its effects on the globe, the eye-opening activity includes discussion, a homework activity, and an in-class...
Michigan State University
May I Take Your Order?
If you're a pest, come and get a tasty meal here! Scholars work collaboratively to construct a mini restaurant out of a shoe box and create a menu that feeds a pest their favorite food.
North Carolina Consortium for Middle East Studies
Missing Pieces of the Puzzle: African Americans in Revolutionary Times
What's missing from most studies of the American Revolutionary War is information about the role African Americans played in the conflict. To correct this oversight, middle schoolers research groups like the Black Loyalists and ...
Curated OER
Everyone has a Culture-Everyone is Different
Students explore cultural features. In this multicultural acceptance instructional activity, students define and discuss "culture," and distinguish the difference between individual characteristics and cultural...
Science Matters
Lotusland
It's time for a field trip! Scholars take their new-found knowledge of adaptations and seed dispersal on a field trip to a local botanical garden. They gain an up-close look at how ecological interdependence works in a distinct...
Curated OER
Culture Everywhere
Students study their culture while filling in a chart that shows how culture meets basic human needs. They examine the role of archaeologists in studying people from past cultures.
Curated OER
Meeting Our Daily Needs
Students investigate the concept of basic needs. In this philanthropy lesson, students define the term "philanthropy" and brainstorm ways to help others who don't get their basic needs met. Students analyze and sort acts of philanthropy...
Curated OER
Hey Diddle Diddle
Students discuss their needs to grow and be healthy. They listen as the teacher explains the definition of "organisms" and "nonliving" Students identify organisms in the classroom. They listen to and view a poster illustrating the "Hey...
Curated OER
Secrets to Healthy Soil
Fourth graders explore needed mineral nutrients for healthy soil. In this soil lesson, 4th graders investigate how living and nonliving elements combine to contribute to fertile soil development.
Curated OER
Worming Your Way Through the Soil
Young scholars study soil, living and non-living particles in the soil, and learn about composting. In this soil study lesson, students study soil samples and discuss the living and non-living components of the soil. Young scholars...
Curated OER
Plants, Animals and Our Environment
Students draw and label the basic needs of animals. They draw and label the basic needs of plants. Students understand the basic needs of plants and animals are not only the same, but are interrelated. They know that the environment...
Curated OER
Skates
Students gain understanding of structure, characteristics, and basic needs of living things and their role in world, identify parts of skate, observe details of skate's body and skate egg case, and identify unique characteristics of skates.
Curated OER
Insects A-Z!
Alphabet insects! Who has ever heard of such a thing? Get ready because your class is going to research insects that start with a specific letter of the alphabet. In small groups, they'll use the Internet and reference texts to locate...
Desert Discovery
Saguaro Parts
Young biologists identify the basic structures of a saguaro cactus. They study the functions of each of the structures, and label them on a picture of a saguaro cactus embedded in the plan. This simple, and easy-to-implement...
Curated OER
What Is It?
Play the game of Tag and differentiate between plants and animals. Explore the characteristics of plants. Identify the major parts of plants (e.g., seeds, stem, pistil) and describe their basic functions. Compare the requirements of some...
Science Matters
Energy Flow
Budding scientists work collaboratively to reenact energy flow in a food chain. Scholars take on roles such as producer and consumer and perform tasks that symbolize energy flow in order to provide evidence of how much energy passes...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
American Stories: Challenge Activities (Theme 2)
For those class members who have mastered the basic concepts and need extra challenges, here's a packet of activities sure to engage them in stories about American immigration and exploration. Kids may design a dramatic...
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
What Is A Bank?
You're never too young to learn about banking and personal finance. Use a set of seven banking lessons to teach middle schoolers about checking and savings accounts, interest rates, loans and credit cards, and safety deposit boxes.
Curated OER
Is Government Necessary?
Students investigate the purpose of Congress and determine how it affects them. They explain what life would be like without government.
Curated OER
People making a difference
Students identify resources that all humans need and compare needs and wants. In this needs and wants lesson plan, students discuss with their teacher situations in which people need or want items and how some people don't have the...