Curated OER
What is the Rock Cycle?
Students investigate the rock cycle. In this geology lesson, students read about the rock cycle on a website and discuss the steps of the rock cycle. Students visit a rock cycle website to complete a quiz. This is the first introductory...
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Solid, Liquid, Gas!
Students determine the properties of the solids, liquids, and gases, and how they can recognize those properties by observing a teacher demonstration. Next, they experiment with at mystery matter that looks like a liquid but that takes...
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Forest Friends Forever
Students investigate how to use the senses to gather information about objects such as size, shape, color, texture, sound, position, and change (qualitative observations are utilized throughout this lesson). They investigate and explain...
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Celebrate The Four Seasons
Students investigate cause and effect and compare and contrast how recurring cycles are evident in multiple aspects of their education. They answer questions in the chosen field. Students model each aspect by interpreting, perceiving and...
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Jamestown Hardships
Students demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America by describing the hardships faced by settlers at Jamestown and the changes that took place to ensure survival.
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Observing Sea Ice
Students study and observe types of sea ice found in Alaska. In this sea ice lesson, students use the student network for observing weather to study the different types of sea ice. Students study sea ice depicted in Alaskan art.
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Dale Chihuly
Students examine the characteristics and makeup of glass. In groups, they research the life and work of Dale Chihuly and how he used glass to create his artwork. They answer discussion questions on different pieces of art and share their...
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Energy Conservation
Class is divided into groups of 2-4 students. They then are given a list of 36 items that are found in our homes and which use electricity. They are going to pretend that because of an energy shortage, they have to pick only twelve items...
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The Solar System: Why do we Explore?
Third graders act as scientists. In this property discovery lesson plan, 3rd graders explore the substance "Oobleck" (cornstarch, water, food coloring). They work in groups to investigate the substance and make observations as a...
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Mixed Media Painting
Young scholars create mixed media still life paintings in this "Happy Accident" art lesson introducing the concepts of using pen and ink, watercolors, and pastels. The lesson can be adapted for various grade levels and abilities ranging...
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Everything's Connected
Students explore how trash decomposes. In this ecosystem instructional activity, students discuss new vocabulary words, such as producers and consumers, and think critically to answer how landfills work.
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Vibrant Volcanoes
Young scholars explore volcanoes. In this science lesson, students discuss the characteristics of volcanoes and view a video segment about a volcano. Young scholars examine plate tectonics.
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Moon Journal
Fourth graders observe Moon and its features, and record results both in written form and in a drawing on the given template.
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Early European Explorers
Fifth graders complete a variety of activities surrounding European exploration of the New World. They research one explorer and write and present an essay or script in which they portray that explorer as he makes his final report to his...
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Carbon for the World
Students explore the presence of carbon in the world. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students discuss the carbon cycle after they read assigned textbook pages. Students also discuss biomass content in different parts of the...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania’s Energy Supply
Third graders become familiar with the various types of energy and which types are found in Pennsylvania. In this Pennsylvanian energy resources lesson plan, 3rd graders, identify wind and water as sources of energy. Students...
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Cooling With Sunshades
Students conduct research in order to find the effects of properties exposed to heat and how they change temperature. They consider the effect of sunlight upon objects that are placed outside with the help of an experiment. They also...
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Project Geode
Young scholars predict the appearance of a geode's internal structure based on its mass and density. They form a hypothesis based on the data they collect. They also identify common minerals found in Illinois.
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Nanofibers on Your Clothes
Students relate the presence of nanofibers in clothing to its ability to repel stains. They observe and contrast the characteristics of nanofiber, Scotchguard treated, and regular fabric then test the stain resistance of each fabric...
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Energize Your Future
Students consider the positive and negative aspects of alternative energy. In this physical science lesson, students consider the sources of energy they use everyday. Students compare alternative sources of energy and...
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What Would Monet Do With a Digital Camera?
Students use a Photoshop Elements program to edit digital pictures in the style of Impressionist art. They are are introduced to paintings by Claude Monet and identify the key characteristics of the Impressionist period. Students create,...
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Up, Up and Away
Third graders are presented with the problem of: Do all liquids evaporate at the same rate? The lesson contains adequate background information for the teacher. They participate in a lab experiment in order to test the scientific...
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Decomposers at Work!
Students design and conduct investigations that illustrate the process of decomposition. After a lecture/demo, students simulate the process of soil composting in the classroom. They closely chart the decomposition of their soil.
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Bioremediation
Pupils design and conduct investigations that illustrate the effect bioremediation has on organic matter and determine environmental applications. They, in groups, present their findings to the class.