Curated OER
The Shadow Knows - Creating Shadows
Young learners recognize a shadow and witness how shadows occur when light is blocked. They access streamed video, standard video, and websites in order to engage in their study of how light is naturally blocked to create shadows. An...
US Department of Energy
Draft-O-Meter
Help your class improve the energy efficiency of their homes with the draft-o-meter. Simply tape a sheet of plastic wrap to a pencil and use it to observe any air leaking through windows, doorways, and other locations around the house....
Curated OER
Water Speedway
Fourth graders observe changes in matter caused by the addition of heat. They participate in a physical education activity where they deal with science concepts. They have a knowledge of how particles act in water when heated.
Curated OER
Am I Hot or Am I Cold?
Students practice using a thermometer to determine how the air around the earth gets heated and cooled by the sun. Students chart the daily inside and outside temperature for two weeks.
Curated OER
The Learning Bottleneck
Young scholars identify and analyze what energy is and how they feel after moving around a lot. They identify other ways that they can acquire heat and if there is some sort of mechanism for storing energy. Finally, students construct...
Curated OER
Diffusion of Molecules
Students study the process for diffusion of molecules. In this chemistry lesson, students understand molecular movement, develop skills for a chemistry investigation, develop skills in making hypotheses, develop observational skills, and...
Curated OER
Wind and Air Pressure
Students make an anemometer, barometer, and wind catcher to see how wind and air pressure are related. For this wind lesson plan, students use these tools to measure the wind speed.
Curated OER
Water Cycle and Ecosystems
Students explore the water cycle. For this investigative lesson, students examine the water cycle process. They will record their observations and discuss marine and freshwater ecosystems.
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Extreme Environments
Students examine extreme environments and the characteristics that make them. In this adaptation lesson students see how animals have adapted to these environments.
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Ecological Impact of Wood Extraction
Students explore their local environment by conducting a class experiment. For this deforestation lesson, students discuss the effects of wood harvesting on forests around the world and research environment related vocabulary terms....
Curated OER
Solar S’Mores
Students use the energy of the sun to make s'mores. In this solar energy lesson, students gather the listed materials and follow the procedures to find out if they can make s'mores using solar energy.
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Investigating Chemical and Physical Changes
Students explore physical and chemical changes by looking at how different powders react to a variety of substances. They observe and identify the difference between physical and chemical change using a mystery powder.
Curated OER
How Much Salt is in the Gsl Water?
Fourth graders study the water cycle and the different processes that are involved, like precipitation, evaporation, etc. They conduct an experiment observing the water cycle in action and write a hypothesis, observations and...
Curated OER
Non-Newtonian Fluids
Students will use water, cornstarch, eggs, and more to explore the different states of matter. They will make observations of an unknown substance called "Oobleck" and test its liquid and solid properties. This would be a great...
Curated OER
Taste, Smell, Touch
Students explore the senses, taste, touch and smell. In this lesson about senses, students perform experiments, or activities. Students complete three activities in order to become more familiar with the three senses of taste, touch, and...
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How to Make Invisible Ink
Students learn how to make two types of invisible ink. In this invisible ink lesson plan, students will make two types of invisible ink using common house hold items. They will then write a paper comparing and contrasting each type of ink.
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Seeds & Germination
Young scholars study the types and parts of seeds and how they have evolved. In this germination lesson students complete experiments that show the effects of variables role in seed germination.
Curated OER
Energy is Everywhere
Students differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources and identify the different forms of energy and list the advantages or disadvantages of different forms of energy. They also determine the benefits as well as the...
Curated OER
Diffusion of Molecules
Students conduct a series of experiments to observe factors that impact molecular movement. In this molecular chemistry lesson, students drop food coloring in water with different properties (hot, with ice, with alcohol) and observe how...
Reach Out!
Paper Clip Sailing
Students explore water, molecules, and surface tension. In this floatation lesson, students discover why some objects are able to float on water as they follow the procedures included in this activity.
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Water Cycle Stories
Students create water cycle stories. In this water cycle lesson, students review the parts of the water cycle. They create a story that describes the journey of a water molecule as it makes its way through the cycle and into different...
Curated OER
Electricity--More Power to Ya!
Fourth graders use research tools to access and synthesize information. They gather and manipulate data using technology. Research and study the components of an electrical circuit. Create a brochure that demonstrates knowledge of how to...
Curated OER
Models of the Earth and Moon
Learners explore the earth's rotation and phases of the moon. In this planets lesson, students rotate and revolve around a light representing the sun. Learners use movement and props to simulate what causes the phases of the moon as well...
Curated OER
Displacement of fluids
Students understand the meaning of volume. In this displacement of liquid lesson, students experiment with various weights and a balance scale to find the liquid displaced.