Curated OER
Flowers: Form and Function
Students recognize and name the parts of a flower. They explain the function of each part of a flower. Students list the steps that occur for sexual reproduction of a plant to take place. They recognize and name the male reproductive...
Curated OER
Our Playground!
First graders observe and explore the playground's environment by walking around the playground, followed by a group discussion of what they observed. They then divide into groups and participate in centers, their brought back together...
Curated OER
Patterns in Nature
Research patterns in nature which illustrate biological and mathematical concepts. Your class will discover and explore aspects of fractals, Fibonaccis numbers, whale and butterfly migration patterns, whale identification, flower...
Curated OER
The Birds and the Bees, and the Flowers and the Trees
Students examine the roles in which animals play in the pollination of plants. They recognize that flowers have male and female sexes. Students describe cross pollination and propose reasons for cross pollination through narration of a...
Core Knowledge Foundation
A Time for All Seasons - Spring
Celebrate the arrival of spring with this fun primary grade science unit. Engaging young scientists with a variety of hands-on activities and inquiry-based investigations, these lessons are a great way to teach children about...
Dick Blick Art Materials
Insoluble Paintings
Insolubility and density? Yup, it's art class, of course. To create insoluble paintings that continually move and change, kids mix water-based paint with mineral oil and seal the mixture in laminating pouches.
California Academy of Science
Plants: Hanging Tough
Learning about the rainforest can be more fun than you think. The class discusses vocabulary-in-context as they cut cardboard boxes, destined to become part of a rainforest model. Small groups of children color, cut, and construct...
Curated OER
April Showers Raindrop Painting
I love this idea! After discussing rain, spring, and the weather, take your class outside and let nature do the painting. They shake power paints and glitter onto a piece of heavy construction paper, then take their paper outside and...
California Academy of Science
Carbon Cycle Role Play
Anytime you make concepts clear with role playing or hands-on experience, it's a win for the whole class. Ping-Pong balls are used to represent carbon in a carbon cycle role-play activity. In small groups, children first discuss what...
Curated OER
Insoluble Paintings
Use this art lesson to study insolubility and density. Combining water-based paint and mineral oil will cause a fun and interactive painting. This is a great art project to incorporate during a science unit.
Curated OER
Raindrops Keep Falling on my Art
Kids may be a little resistant to this rainy day idea, but it could produce some amazing art. They paint a watercolor picture of anything they like. When they are done, they take their paintings outside and let the rain work its magic!...
Curated OER
Rainforest Plant or Animal?
Learners explore the major functions of plants and animals. In this rainforest lesson plan students create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast animals in the rainforest.
Curated OER
Survival Strategies and Adaptation in Insects
Third graders investigate insects and their adaptations that help them survive. For this survival strategies lesson, 3rd graders view photographs of insects and discuss the adaptations that each one uses to survive, including camouflage...
Curated OER
Introduction to Wetlands
Students describe the characteristics of a wetland, identify plants and animals found there, and how those plants and animals have adapted to their environment. They visit stations, view a video, and complete a KWL about the wetlands.
Curated OER
Plant Identification: New Jersey vs. Ecuador
Sixth graders discover the different plants that grow in different climates through specimen collections. In this botany lesson, 6th graders examine plants from both New Jersey and Ecuador and discuss what conditions could create...
Curated OER
Modeling Mendel's Pea Experiment
Students discover what Mendel uncovered in his famous pea experiments. They form explanations for the result of crossing a true-breeding round pea plant with a true-breeding wrinkled pea plant (the F1 generation) and for the results...
Curated OER
The"Dirt" on Soil
Young scholars examine the three different types of soil and their physical properties. In this soil lesson plan students design and implement a model of a water treatment plant.
Curated OER
Magnetic Discovery Bottle
Students examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data. In this magnet lesson plan students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets.
Curated OER
Branching Art From Nature
Students construct an art piece from nature. In this visual art lesson, students use objects from the environment (petals, leaves, and stones) to create a unique art piece.
Curated OER
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Students complete activities to learn about the life cycle of a seed. In this plant growth lesson, students complete activities for the life cycles of seeds.
Curated OER
Design a Pollinator
Students make a scientific drawing of a pollinator with at least five traits that make them well adapted to a given plant(s). They describe in their science notebook the adaptations that make their pollinator well suited to a given plant.
Curated OER
Pollen Collection And Identification
Students investigate plant reproduction, pollen collection and identification. They collect pollen samples over a twenty four hour period and examine them under a microscope.