Curated OER
What Should I Wear Today?
Fourth graders examine weather data for Columbus, Ohio using an Internet resource. They complete a two day and a weekly weather charts before discussing the information. After the discussion, they answer questions about the charts...
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Stargazers and Skywatchers
Students observe the daily motions of the sun and relate them to the functions of a sundial. They determine the locations of sunrises and sunsets and determine how the elevation of the sun effects temperature.
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Clouds
Students observe and record different types of clouds. They use a cloud chart to discuss the three cloud types to see if students can identify the clouds they drew.
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Our Desert Backyard
Young scholars make observations of their own backyard. In this environment lesson, students keep records of the plants and animals they see in their home or school yard. Young scholars make notes of how the weather and environment...
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The Awful 8: The Play
Middle schoolers perform a play based on pollution. In this pollution science lesson plan, students perform a play about different pollutants and how it effects our daily lives.
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Dressing for the Season
For each change of season, students will observe the weather and then dress a cut-out doll appropriately for a field trip outside.
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Phases of the Moon: Cooperative Learning
Third graders examine the phases of the moon. For this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders listen to a read aloud of The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley and discuss the phases of the moon. They complete a moon phase calendar and...
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Meet Meteorology
Students explore meteorology, discuss Earth's atmosphere, create drawings of the water cycle, create meteorology journals, and role play forecasters. Nine lessons on one page; includes unit test.
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Water & Ice
Students investigate the properties of water. In this states of water lesson, students explore how water goes from liquid to solid and back to liquid again. Students use measurement, observation, and communication to describe the change.
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Everyone Knows It's Windy
Learners create an anemometer, an instrument that measures wind speed.
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Introducing Temperature Measurement
Students explore temperature and use Celcius thermometers to measure and graph the temperature in the classroom daily. They estimate what they think the temperature might be and then find the actual temperature in the room.
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Believe It...Or Not
Students critically analyze data regarding climate changes using a glossary of terms generated by examination of climate related articles. They examine and graph climatic data, and discuss, hypothesize and test apparent discrepancies in...
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Life in a Cup
Third graders make and maintain a mini terrarium. They keep a daily journal of what happens in their terrarium and record daily observations and measurements.
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Cloud Observation and Graphing
Students identify the three major cloud groups. They are introduced to the three main cloud types and spend a week making and recording observations of clouds. Students produce a graph that presents their findings and conduct research...
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The Solar System: Go Green with the Sun!
Third graders learn how to use solar power. For this sun, technology and energy lesson, 3rd graders learn how the solar power from the sun can give off energy, learn about solar panels, discuss their uses and benefits, and design a...
Virginia Department of Education
A-Mazing Plants
Have your young scientists questioned why plants grow a particular way? Through this learning opportunity, scientists gain firsthand knowledge about how plants develop and various factors that affect rates of growth as they bring plants...
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Petro Products
For this petroleum products worksheet, students are given the components of crude oil and they graph the various products found in a 50 gallon barrel. Students complete an activity to determine if they have collected cards that represent...
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Butterflies: Fly into Science
Engage young learners with these great interdisciplinary lesson ideas for teaching about butterflies!
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Using Solar Energy
Pupils experiment to determine the effect of solar energy on the temperature of water. For this renewable resources lesson, students measure the temperature of water in a flask that is exposed to sunlight. They relate their results to...
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Solar System: Let's Take a Trip
Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will contribute...
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Building a Scale Model
Third graders create a model of the solar system. In this solar system lesson plan, 3rd graders create a scale model of the solar system. Working in pairs students solve mathematical problems to correctly measure the distance each planet...
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Planting Seeds Around the World
First graders discuss the book The Lorax and research what living things need. In this environmental lesson plan, 1st graders investigate how humans affect the growth of plants. Students conduct an experiment with sunflowers.
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Cloud in a bag
Students relate the states of matter and clouds. In this environment lesson, students create a chart of information they know about clouds. Students put an ice cube in a bag and tape to a window. Students watch for condensation....
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Penguins Nesting Know-How
Learners maintain a field journal as they follow penguin parents raising their chicks during the breeding season. They formulate testable questions. Students reflect on animal behavior in the field related to survival and chick rearing.