Curated OER
Household Things that Fly and Why!!!
Students examine the four forces of flight. In this flight lesson, students test to see which types of items will fly. Students make predictions on whether the item will fly or not. Students gain knowledge about lift, gravity, thrust and...
Curated OER
Handling Data: measure of Average
Fifth graders analyze data from a simple table. For this graphing lesson, 5th graders compare distributions. Students recognize that the mean helps them find the formula. Students answer questions on the mean, median, and range.
Curated OER
My Secret War: The WWII Diary of Madeline Beck: Lesson 6
Fifth graders explore women's rights by discussing the events of WWII. In this American work force lesson, 5th graders identify the events that led to World War II and how women helped fight the war through non-violent efforts. Students...
Curated OER
Measure for Measure: Weight and Energy
Students study the friction of a particular sport. In this weight and energy instructional activity students choose a sport and us the Internet to research it then present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
Activity Plan Mixed Ages: Exploring Play Dough
Students learn to prepare a play dough recipe in order to enhance their measurement, reading, and creative-thinking skills. In this lesson on making play dough, students measure and add the different ingredients, while simultaneously...
Carnegie Mellon University
Home Energy Audit
Youngsters make a mental assessment of electricity-consuming appliances in their homes and then evaluate them for the amount of energy consumed. They learn how to use power meters and measure the electrical consumption of several...
Computer Science Unplugged
Twenty Guesses—Information Theory
How do we determine how much information to include and what can be left out? By playing a game of 20 questions, the class generates the best strategies for finding a number. They then move on to guessing the next letter in a short...
Steinhardt Apps
Kinetic Molecular Theory
Building off young chemists' knowledge of the states of matter, kinetic molecular theory is the focus of the unit. Eight days of lessons including multiple demonstrations, one lab experiment, directed instruction, and worksheets,...
Statistics Education Web
Now You SeeIt, Now You Don't: Using SeeIt to Compare Stacked Dotplots to Boxplots
How does your data stack up? A hands-on activity asks pupils to collect a set of data by measuring their right-hand reach. Your classes then analyze their data using a free online software program and make conclusions as to the...
Food a Fact of Life
Brilliant Baking
Young chefs are introduced to the use of the oven with an activity that asks them or whip up a batch of fruity flapjacks or tropical granola bars. Yum!
University of Wisconsin
Noting Notable Features for Rain Gardens
Eight groups in your class are each responsible for a different aspect of surveying the campus for a suitable rain garden location. Features to consider include water flow, topography, sun/shade patterns, land surface, vegetation,...
California Academy of Science
Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates
Here is a comprehensive package in which middle schoolers learn about types of seismic waves, triangulation, and tectonic plate boundaries. Complete vocabulary, colorful maps, and a worksheet are included via links on the webpage. You...
Statistics Education Web
Are Female Hurricanes Deadlier than Male Hurricanes?
The battle of the sexes? Scholars first examine data on hurricane-related deaths and create graphical displays. They then use the data and displays to consider whether hurricanes with female names result in more deaths than hurricanes...
Columbus City Schools
May the Force Be with You
You won't have to force your classes to complete these engaging activities! Through exploration, young scientists learn that force has both magnitude and direction. They draw force diagrams, investigate force models, and complete a...
Council for Economic Education
Employment Data: Is the Economy Healthy?
Low unemployment is an indicator of a healthy economy—right? Current employment data and research leads scholars on a quest to find the true health of the economy. They analyze research on Payroll Employment Data and watch a short video...
Curated OER
Stories from Africa
Students discuss the size of adult African elephants after a demonstration on their height. They try to guess the animal of discussion based on clues given about their size and characteristics. As a class, they try to identify other...
Curated OER
Diaper Challenge
Students compare the absorbency of a regular diaper and a swim diaper in fresh water and salt water. For this absorbency lesson plan, students mass the diapers and place them in water and determine the change in mass. They do the same...
Curated OER
Principles of Flight: Flying Paper Airplanes
Students investigate ways to enhance an object's flying ability. In this model construction lesson plan, students construct two paper airplanes, one of which is twice as big as the first. Students compare and contrast the two...
Curated OER
And You Thought Gasoline Was Expensive!
Students carry out a cost analysis. In this comparative math lesson, students compare the cost of equal measures of gasoline to mouthwash, house paint, fruit juice, white-out, and other liquids.
Curated OER
The Consumer Price Index: A Measure of Inflation
Students examine inflation over the years and learn to calculate how it changes over time. In this money management lesson, students learn how price changes affect their purchasing power, how to come up with strategies for dealing with...
Curated OER
Water Cycle Stories
Learners explore the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students simulate the water cycle by placing an ice cube in a Ziploc bag and observing the changes which occur over time. Learners record the mass of the Ziploc bag and record...
Curated OER
Origami Cube
Students compare two lengths using the area of a square. In this geometry lesson plan, students solve problems using ratio and proportion of the two shapes. They solve equations by taking the square root of both sides.
Curated OER
Globe Skills Lesson 3 Voyage to the New World
Students explore the globe. In this globe skills lesson, students use their knowledge of latitude and longitude to respond to questions regarding Christopher Columbus's maiden voyage to the Americas.
Curated OER
Earth Science Lesson Plans - The Hadean
Fourth graders review the Clock of Eras and learn about The Hadean. In this eras lesson, 4th graders study the characteristics of the first time period on the Clock of Eras; The Hadean. They watch a demonstration of a volcano model.