Activity
PBS

Classification

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore classification skills used in scientific research. They classify a variety of objects in order to compare and contrast. In addition, they analyze previously collected data in order to place items into meaningful groups.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The North (Wall) Star

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars engage in a lesson which shows them that celestial navigation is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial objects -...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roller Coaster Fun

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders review the effects of gravity on how objects move. In groups, they design a roller coaster and share it with their classmates. Using materials given to them, they build their roller coaster and let a ball roll on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Laws

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this motion worksheet, students read about the 3 laws of motion and then complete a graphic organizer describing the laws and giving an example for each one.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ping!

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study side-scan sonar and discover how it can be used to locate objects underwater. They complete a sonar simulation activity in which they create and map mystery landscapes inside shoeboxes.
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

Making Cubes

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore vocabulary associated with three dimensional figures.  In this transformations lesson, 3rd graders create two dimensional nets for three dimensional figures.  Students become familiar with describing two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weathering Rocks

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate what natural events cause rocks to break apart and differentiate between erosion and weathering. They conduct an experiment with plaster of paris to observe why some rocks are hard and others break, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dr. Seuss For a Day

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders brainstorm words to describe Thing One and Thing Two characters from Dr. Seuss computer program, use variety of adjectives to create descriptions, and create new set of characters, Thing Three and Thing Four, by drawing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle--Using Inspiration Software

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders describe and label the water cycle, and list how water changes from one form to another; students use Inspiration Software to label a blank water cycle diagram.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Energy and Work Amusement Park Style

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students distinguish between kinetic and potential energy. They recognize that energy can change from one form to other forms. They identify and describe several forms of energy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Descriptive Writing

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss the importance of using adjectives in writing. They separate into five groups, each group is given a bag with an object inside to describe using just one sense. They write a description of a Hershey's Kiss using adjectives.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bread Cells

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine plant and animal cells. In this plant and animal cell lesson, 5th graders define what cells are, label their parts, and describe how plant and animal cells are different. They observe cells at a number of web sites,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prejudice

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students read story, Nipper, and explore and demonstrate understanding of concept of prejudice. Students create definition of prejudice, and describe negative experiences they may have had with people who are different from themselves,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Night Sky: Summer

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A School Yard Journal

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create journals with explicit descriptions of objects found on the school yard.  In this descriptive writing lesson, 4th graders read some of Lewis and Clark's journal entries before they explore the school yard, then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind

For Teachers 1st
First graders read and explore the folktale, The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind. In this folktale lesson plan, 1st graders read the tale and describe the sun. There are several interdisciplinary extensions included: students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Filter-Feeding in Reef Sponges

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners make observations and describe the filter-feeding in sponges as it relates to the ecological role of sponges on coral reefs. In this filter-feeding in reef sponges lesson plan, students are introduced to the feeding methods of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inclined Plane and Pulley

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe how inclined plane and pulleys make work easier. In this physics lesson, students calculate work done and mechanical advantage of both simple machines. They collect data from the experiment and construct graphs.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Using Models to Communicate

For Students 7th - 9th
In this models worksheet, students read about how models are used to communicate events or principles in science. They are given an example and answer 4 questions about models. They discuss accuracy and inaccuracy of models. They create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lightning in a Jar

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars create lightning with two common objects and observe the colorful "discharge" of electrons on a smaller scale. By exploring the phenomena of static electricity, students relate their knowledge to the real-life weather...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Waves

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students predict and test how the effects of velocity and force of an object or air on water affect the waves created. They diagram a water park ride using their knowledge of these effects to create their desired outcomes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Classroom Exhibit: Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students bring in rocks and minerals from home. They observe them and describe them carefully, completing a worksheet. Finally, a classroom exhibit is created.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

STRAINING FOR SOUND

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders use a laser along with computer microphone probeware and the appropriate software, 6th graders determine the speed of rotating objects.An audio amplifier is connected to a solar cell to change the laser light signal into a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Collaboration: Building With the Five Elements of Art

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students assemble found natural objects into an artistic arrangement. They photograph their arrangement and Photoshop to enhance their artwork.