Students explore rain forests.  In this rain forest ecosystems lesson, students identify and describe the layers of the rain forest. Students paint and decorate a large rain forest mural. Students write riddles about animals that...

Students examine the connection between trees and erosion. In this erosion lesson students experiment with the effects of rain on a hillside. Students investigate the number of trees and the amount of erosion.

Students investigate the forest ecosystem to learn of the living and non-living elements of the soil. In this ecosystem instructional activity, students examine soil for twigs, moss, fungi, leaves, roots and other...

Students experiment using soil and water. In this forest as a filter instructional activity, students identify the role of forest cover, vegetation, and foliage impacts erosion and evaporation. Students conduct a simple experiment, form...

Students recognize the habitats of animals that live near or in a pond.  In this pond lesson, students examine pond water and look for pond organisms. Students observe organisms with a loupe and complete a worksheet.

Students become familiar with the temperate rainforest.  For this forest ecosystem lesson, students identify the producers, consumers and decomposers in the forest ecosystem.  Students sort cards and identify the trophic level...

Students study the diversity of marine life and their habitats.  In this aquatic ecosystems lesson students complete a lab activity and experiment. 

Students collect species data from a mock intertidal community. In this biology lesson, students graph their data and analyze the species in it. They construct a species accumulation curve and present it to class.

Students experiment with mixtures of matter. In this matter lesson plan, students investigate which liquids form a solution when mixed together and which do not. Students also identify which solids can be separated from matter.

Students experiment with solids and liquids. In this mixtures of matter lesson, students combine matter to form solutions. Students hypothesize, test, and analyze the data to draw conclusions. The lesson can be extended by having...

Young scholars experiment with plastics.  In this what is plastic lesson, students make a simple polymer and discuss recycling.  Young scholars identify various types of plastics. 

Students examine distribution of water and minerals. In this surface and groundwater lesson, students conduct an experiment with fresh and salt water making hypothesis and drawing conclusions about minerals. 

Students create a model estuary. For this modeling estuaries lesson, students identify characteristics and mix water of varying densities. Students form a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, and analyze the results.

Students take a sample of fish and try to determine how many fish are in the sea.  In this scientific sampling lesson, students explore the way scientists measure large areas of samples. Students record the distribution in a quadrant.

Students explore the carbon cycle. In this carbon cycle lesson, students discuss the four main reservoirs where carbon is stored and then discover the process through which each reservoir absorbs and releases CO2. This lesson includes a...

Third graders organize information about the three types of matter and to reinforce concepts learned in the matter unit of the science curriculum. They use Inspiration software to create a concept map of the three types of matter.

Students recognize and categorize different bodies of water. In this watershed and water environments lesson plan, students "Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean." Students define the different bodies of water and sort from smallest to...

Students make a simple machine. In this physics lesson, students learn about six types of simple machines and the purpose of each and brainstorm examples of simple and complex machines in the classroom. Students create a simple or...

Students examine soil. In this soil composition lesson students participate in soil sedimentation and filtration activities. The students discuss what non-living and living things are in soil and why it is so important.

Students investigate the growth of trees. In this tree growth activity, students discover that trees make a ring each year they live. Students use new voabulary such as bark, phloem, and cambuim to talk about tree parts. Students create...

Learners dissect owl pellets. In this dissecting owl pellets lesson, students discuss birds of prey and make predictions about what they may find during the investigation. Learners tease out skull and bones and try to make a complete...

Students explore paper making. In this tree conservation ecology lesson, students brainstorm ways paper is used in daily life. Students examine paper fiber using a magnifying glass. Students make paper following a step by step procedure...

Young scholars examine the needs of trees and plants. In this forest ecosystem lesson students use seedlings to investigate the basic necessities of plants. They discuss the consequences of these basic needs not being met.

Students study how scientists measure diversity.  In this diversity lesson students look at marine communities and look at data to calculate diversity in 3 different ways.