Curated OER
Sun and Shadows
Why do shadows look different in the summer than in the winter? What causes day and night? How can a sundial be used to tell time? Answer these questions and more through two engaging lessons about light and shadows. Fourth and fifth...
Aquarium of the Pacific
States of Matter: Making Ice Cream
Who knew that learning about the states of matter could taste so sweet? This fun hands-on activity captures the attention of learners as they use what they know about solids, liquids, and gases to create their very own batch of ice cream.
US Department of Agriculture
Sink or Float?
Will it sink or will it float? Learners predict the outcome as they drop random objects into a container of water. Then, they keep track of the results and record the data in a t-chart to draw a final conclusion.
Acoustical Society of America
Anatomy of a Wave
Pair physical science learners up, and have one describe a transverse wave while the other blindly attempts to draw it. Then reveal an actual diagram and explain the different parts of the wave: crest, trough, wavelength. Though most of...
Curated OER
Student Earth Day Pledge Slips
Writing prompts are great because you can usually find one for any holiday or event. Have your class help the Lorax in his quest to spread the word about Earth Day and environmental awareness with a short printable prompt. The page...
Curated OER
Who Did It?
Learners apply the concepts from forensic science lessons to do a lab. They solve a mystery using experimentation and observation. They write a technically correct lab report.
Curated OER
Weathering and Erosion
Students perform experiments to simulate weathering and erosion. In this earth science lesson plan, students view a PowerPoint presentation that includes weathering, erosion, and the Dust Bowl. Students conduct a series of experiments to...
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Peanut Calorimeter Paper
Seventh graders respond to key questions about a science inquiry in groups. In this Peanut Calorimeter paper lesson, 7th graders recall information from a science inquiry and answer questions that will be part of a larger paper. ...
Curated OER
You are Uniquely You
Students compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. In this cross-curriculum science simple machines lesson, students observe examples and read about simple machines, then use body movement to demonstrate how machines...
Curated OER
What is a Cloud?
Young scholars identify what clouds are made of. In this weather science lesson, students look at clouds outside the window and draw what they see in their journals. Young scholars read the book It Looked Like Spilled Milk and identify...
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Pollution is Not a Solution
Students explore the environment by completing science worksheets in class. In this water conservation lesson, students identify ways water is used in our society and how we abuse the privilege. Students discuss methods to reduce water...
Curated OER
Brown Paper Bag Simple Machine
Students explore simple machines. In this simple machines science lesson, students work with a partner to identify what kind of simple machine is represented by a variety of household objects placed in paper bags. Students write down...
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Barn Owls and Owl Pellet Dissection
Students explore birds of prey and food chains. In this ecosystems and birds of prey cross curriculum science and literacy lesson plan, students brainstorm characteristics of birds after viewing photographs. Students view a video and...
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Classification Introduction
Students simulate classifying rocks using different colored skittles. In this earth science activity, students create a Venn diagram according to their compiled information. They share this diagram in the class.
Curated OER
Constellations
Fifth graders create their own constellations using pin holes and black paper. In this space science lesson plan, 5th graders write a story about their constellation. They share their project with the class.
Curated OER
The Three Rock Groups
Firts graders distinguish between sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. They group the rocks into the appropriate group. This is one of the best-organized plans I've seen! Learners watch a PowerPoint presentation which is embedded...
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Traveling Through the Digestive System
Second graders learn about how the food is broken down in our bodies and the job of each body part involved in our digestive system. The utilize the CD ROM game, "Body Works." This wonderful game takes pupils through the human body's...
Curated OER
Who Cares for the Land?
A very thorough lesson plan focuses on what plants need to grow and stay healthy. There are excellent reading activities and worksheets included in this fine plan. A terrific way to introduce a unit on plants and their needs.
Curated OER
The Movement of Water
Here is an excellent lesson plan on the water cycle and the states in which water exists. Learners identify the features of the water cycle, describe how water changes form, and look at ways that people affect the natural movement of...
Curated OER
The Impact
Learn about the destruction of the rainforest by analyzing statistics. Young learners make an original line graph showing destruction in the rainforest. Additional activities include making a collage, sequencing Dr. Seuss' The Lorax,...
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Columbus Travel Agency
Eighth graders research about their chosen ecosystem. In this life science lesson, 8th graders play the role of travel agents and create a travel brochure. They share this in class.
Curated OER
Fibers Lesson Plan
Young scholars explain how to use a light microscope, describe how to care for a microscope, and solve a forensic science problem, using a microscope to analyze data and draw conclusions.
Curated OER
Type of Chemical Reactions: Single and double displacements
Learners are taught that combustion of carbon in charcoal briquetts produces heat and light. They are shown how to find single displacement and double displacement. Students solve problem set of single and double displacement.
Curated OER
Introduction To Fractals: an Inquiry
Learners evaluate a playful case study about a dog searching for fetching sticks to identify the steps in the science inquiry method. They read the case study and fill in a worksheet with the examples of questions, observations and...