Lesson Plan
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Onion Skins

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students explore the structure of a plant cell. They carefully peel a single layer of onion skin from a slice of onion and stain it with methylene blue to observe the structures inside. They use a Digiscope connected to a computer to...
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Where Are The Dinosaurs?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students study the existence of dinosaurs as a precursor to learning about extinction. In this dinosaurs lesson, students watch dinosaur video at assigned web sites. They discuss what they observed in the videos including how the...
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A Natural Habitat: What, How and Why

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students understand what a habitat is. They determine why a habitat is important to our environment no matter where it is located. Students observe and recognize natural habitats in their surroundings.
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Building a Butterfly Garden

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Young scholars plant a garden which will become the habitat for butterflies as they go through their life cycle.  In this life cycle lesson, students grow plants that attract butterflies and feed caterpillars in order to observe the...
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Floating Soap

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars explore the density of soap. In this science lesson, students conduct an experiment to find which types of soap will float. Young scholars make a hypothesis and record their observations.
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Life in a Log

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students identify insects living in rotting logs. In this decomposition instructional activity, students observe pieces of a rotting log, they look at the insects that have inhabited the log and create a chart that shows their findings.
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An Introduction to 'Opae 'ula

For Teachers K - 6th
Learners examine the 'opae 'ula. In this science lesson, students observe a live specimen and identify the major body parts. Learners construct habitat jars and observe the 'opae 'ula behaviors.
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Exploring The Great Salt Lake

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders experiment with sand samples taken from a lake. They use this as part of an inquiry that is based on observations. The properties of the sand are observed in the lab and recorded in writing. Prior to the lab students...
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The Radish Experiment

For Teachers 1st
First graders grow radishes. In this Science lesson, 1st graders observe the growth of radishes in both the light and dark. Students discuss what plants need to live.
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Just Bee-Tween Flowers!

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine the major plant and bee parts and the interdependency between bees and fast plants. They observe and record the stages of growth of fast plants, take photos of the plant's life cycle, and cross-pollinate plants.
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Seed To Plant

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers are introduced to alternative methods of growing techniques: specifically, hydroponics. They, in groups, "adopt" a seed. They take care of their seed and make observations as it begins to germinate.
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Measuring Larval Growth and Development

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students keep a detailed records of the growth and development of their larvae. They fill out an observation chart every day during the larval stage, and every4-5 days during the pupa stage. They summarize all of their data on a class...
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Growth and Change as it Occurs in Plants and Flowers

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students work together to observe plants and flowers through their life cycle. In groups, they make predictions and record changes in a journal. Using this information, they create their own original artwork and discuss the plants life...
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Embryo Development

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers observe the development of a chicken embryo. In this biology lesson, students compare and contrast the development of human and chick embryo. They make a chart and explain their findings to the class.
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Wilson Bentley and Snowflake Crystals

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read the book, 'Snowflake Bentley' by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. They gather and make a list of information about snowflakes and crystals. Then they make their own real crystal snowflake creation and observe the crystals...
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Winter Lights: A Season In Poems & Quilts

For Teachers K - 1st
Students read the book Winter Lights: A Season in Poems & Quilts and do language arts and math activities that go with the book. For this language arts and math lesson plan, students read the book given and do activities that include...
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Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars explore the states of matter. In this physical science lesson, students observe what happens to water when it freezes and record observations. Young scholars then observe ice when it melts and record observations.
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The Solar System: Why do we Explore?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders act as scientists. In this property discovery lesson, 3rd graders explore the substance "Oobleck" (cornstarch, water, food coloring). They work in groups to investigate the substance and make observations as a scientist...
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Investigating Fingerprints

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe that each individual possesses a unique set of fingerprints. The Magic School Bus series of books, "Inside the Human Body," is used in conjunction with this lesson.
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Wacky Water Critters

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students visit a local creek or stream. They collect water samples from the creek and observe and sort the "water critters" they find in the sample, observing smaller organisms under a microscope if necessary. They identify each organism...
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Creating a Dichotomous Key for Families of Idaho Butterflies

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students are shown how to use the butterfly section of the Digital Altals of Idaho. They discuss how to make a dichotomous key. Students use their skills of observation and recognize defining characteristics that distinguish different...
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Paper Sculptures

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students create paper sculptures. For this visual arts lesson, students observe photographs of abstract sculptures and describe their observations. Students use oaktag, tape, scissors, and markers to create their own paper sculptures....
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Growth and Changes in Plants

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the growth and changes in plants. They view a video and discuss the changes in plants. They work in small groups to demonstrate vocabulary words to the class. They visit a green house and take pictures of plants to...
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Day 5 - Science Plants - germination - growth- What plants do we need to survive?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students look at the crops of the settlers. For this crop lesson, students discuss why each crop was important to the settlers and how they used it. They plant seeds and track and observe the growth.