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Light And Shadows
Fourth graders explore the properties of shadows. In pairs they trace each other's shadows in chalk and re-draw their shadow outlines every three hours, design their own shadow investigation, and complete various worksheets related to...
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The Five Life Zone Research Project
Students study five of the seven life zones in North America. In this journalism lesson students use the Scientific Method working in teams. They use lab equipment and technology to create a presentation on five of the seven life zones...
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Zoom into Microscopy
Students discover proper microscope use. In this microscopy lesson, students create picture books that show the detail of organisms as seen with the human eye, through a hand lens, and at each power of the microscope.
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Exploring the Planets
Students study robotic spacecrafts that have provided detailed information about the inner and outer planets. For this exploring the planets lesson plan, students use posters and diagrams to study the various robotic spacecraft sent to...
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Can Chimps Talk?
Students view a video about chimps and language. They work together to role play the roles of researchers and chimps in an experiment. They agree on a way to live together and each group be treated fairly.
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Classifying Objects
Fourth graders classify living things according to similarities and differences through guided and independent activities. They place objects into groups according to their characteristics and then make a collage of living things...
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Michigan Food: From Farm to You
Learners recognize Michigan on a map and understand how its climate is affected by the Great Lakes. In this Michigan food lesson, students play a trivia game to identify the produce of Michigan. Learners relate the climate in each part...
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Give a Hoot About Owls
Students research basic information about owls. They complete a class KWL chart, and conduct research on owls using the Internet and a variety of resource books. Next, they write an owl acrostic poem and a report using their research...
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Frosty the Snowman Meets His Demise: An Analogy to Carbon Dating
Learners read and discuss an article about carbon dating, then participate in a hands-on lab to discover how carbon dating works. Students also write a letter to a friend explaining the process, and how archeologists use the process to...
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Nutrition Track
Students examine the importance of a healthy diet based on the USDA food pyramid. They log their daily food intake in a journal. They create charts to analyze and compare their diets to the USDA recommended allowances.
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Lighten Up!
Third graders observe light as a form of energy, that it can be reflected/bounced, refracted/bent and absorbed. They explore how different types of light affect our lives as a whole. Songs are researched that involve light (ex. "You...
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Gravity Gets You Down
Middle schoolers investigate the force of gravity and how it effects different objects that are put into acceleration when applied the experiment of free falling. They drop different objects that have a variety of masses and some that...
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Identifying Fossils
Learners create model fossils. For this fossils lesson, students view pictures of fossils and compare and contrast these fossils. Learners read about fossils and create a database chart with the facts they learn. ...
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Cells
Students explore the cell and cell processes. They create "cytoplasm", make a model of the cell and its organelles, and simulate the osmosis and the diffusion of materials into and out of the cell.
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Under the Sea Webquest
Fourth graders work in small groups to research a selected species of ocean creature. They conduct Internet research, complete a WebQuest and worksheet, and complete a group oral presentation that includes an illustration of the food...
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We Are Lunar tics!
Second graders, working in cooperative groups, will create a multimedia presentation about the Earth's moon. Their research must be presented through three or more methods. (i.e. charts; graphs; oral reports; multi-media; dramatic role...
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The Beaks of the Finches
Young scholars become birds and are given "beak-types". After completing the simulation, students relate results to adaptations and natural selection. Extensions of the simulation allow for comparative results and include population...
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Saving An Endangered Species
Second graders participate in a fundraiser for an endangered species. They evaluate websites for animal adoption/sponsorship, select an endangered species, and develop, advertise, and implement a fund-raising plan for their selected...
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Our Zoo Friends
First graders plan and create a model zoo depicting the natural habitats of animals. Their models include animals and a display of written factual information about the animals. Students present their project by conductig a tour of...
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What's Under My Feet?
Students choose one rock from a collection of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. They use multiple resources to create an informational brochure highlighting their rock. The brochures are combined into a class rock museum to be...
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GPS Sports Field Activity
Students practice using GPS receivers and explore how knowing the coordinates of two locations allows them to determine the distance between those two points. They use the theory that they already had knowledge of and apply it to a...
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How Pollution Disrupts Our Natural Environment
Students conduct experiments to illustrate global warming. In this air pollution instructional activity, students first examine how a layer of greenhouse gasses might impact the earth's atmospheric temperature, then evaluate how the...
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Imaginary Insect Zoo
Students construct imaginary insects. In this insect lesson plan, students will discover the anatomy of their favorite insect and apply it to their own creation. Student will write a description of their model, and put the insect models...