Pennsylvania Department of Education
Volume and Surface Area
Build boxes using unit cubes to compare surface area and volume. The group performs multiple experiments to determine properties of volume, such as if it makes a difference which order the dimensions are multiplied in. Extensive...
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In the Wake of Columbus
Students explore how the population decreased in native cultures.
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The Environment
Students explore the issues that influence our environment and research ways to decrease the negative impact that humans have on the environment. Misconceptions about environmental issues are addressed in this lesson.
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Hot and Cold Colors
Students experiment with the color and solar energy absorption. In this color and solar energy absorption lesson, students spend two days discussing and experimenting with the concept of energy absorption. They paint cans with different...
Polar Trec
Foraging for Fish in a Melting Arctic
How much do you know about the black guillemot of the Arctic region? With great background information, images, and a quick discussion, the class will learn all about the plight of the foraging seabird as they play a fun game. First,...
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My Family Tree
Students create a family tree. In this ancestry instructional activity, students research a country that one of their ancestors is from. Students interview a grandparent and map out a family tree.
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Observation Milk Fat Lesson
Turn your class loose to experiment with the different fat content in skim milk, whole milk, half and half, and heavy cream. This is a visually vibrant experiment, as learners drip food coloring on the surface of the products and measure...
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Rolling with Links
First graders explore geometry by completing a worksheet in class. In this non-standard measurement unit lesson, 1st graders discuss different techniques for measuring items without the use of a ruler. Students read several short stories...
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Measuring Temperature and the Production of CO2 in Yeast
Young scholars use a model experiment to complete an experiment on yeast. In groups, they identify the independent and dependent variables and use the scientific method to complete the activity. They record their observations and discuss...
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Weather Watchers
Students are introduced to an Underground Weather Stations. In groups, they use the internet to research the weather in different parts of the United States locating each city. To end the lesson, they summarize the information they...
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Uniform Motion
Students identify when uniform motion occurs. They watch a teacher made PowerPoint explaining the concept of uniform motion and carry out an experiment to understand the concept.
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Discovering Pi
Sixth graders measure circumference and diameter to the nearest eighth of an inch, record measurements on a spreadsheet, and use the internet to complete a "scavenger hunt" of facts concerning pi.
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The Stock Market
Pupils explore the loss and gain made in the stock market as they invest a sum of money and report the results as percentages instead of points.
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The Estimation Station
Students challenge "common knowledge" against newly learned estimation strategies and put those strategies into use. They consider variables in estimating different groups of objects and practice skills of representing numbers.
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Body Language
First graders investigate the three main parts of a plant. In this plant parts lesson, 1st graders explore vocabulary for the topic and read a story about plant parts. Students view a PowerPoint and take a quiz for the topic....
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Good Health Care
Students work in collaborative groups researching topics such as nutrition, the benefits of exercise on the body, dental and personal hygiene. They conduct interviews, create charts and posters, and report their results with a written...
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FLIGHT FAIR
Young scholars conduct their personal investigations into paper airplane flight. Cooperative teams are formed, with students choosing the paper airplane design that they are most interested in building.
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Drawing Bugs Game
Second graders explore probability by playing a drawing game with dice. After they roll a die, they draw a tree diagram to illustrate each of the possible outcomes.
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Marine Mammal Diving Reflex
Tenth graders discuss marine mammal diving reflex, and measure pulse rate while holding their breath under three conditions: control, warm water, and ice water to determine if humans exhibit marine mammal diving reflex.
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What did I find?
Students excavate an artifact. In this archaeology lesson, students get a bucket filled with dirt and a broken up artifact. They work in groups to take it out and to find what its purpose was.
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Probability Popsicle Pop-ups
Fourth graders decorate and use popsicle sticks as manipulatives to assist with their learning of probability. They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan to organize the results of their experiment. They make a stem and leaf plot...
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Does One Tree a Forest Make?
Students take a walk around the schoolyard looking at and identifying the trees. One leaf for each tree is collected. A chart is developed that represents the population of trees on the school ground. They keep journals and write an essay.
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Polystyrene Containers
Students conduct experiments to determine the effectiveness of polystyrene containers at preventing heat loss. In this polymers lesson, students design an experiment to determine how effective Styrofoam burger containers are at...
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Activity One Teacher Page: Vehicles In Motion
Young scholars identify variables that affect the system, and specify which variables are independent and which are dependent.