Activity
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Traveling Seeds

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students decorate their bags with crayons. In this art and science lesson, students go outside and collect seeds. Students come back inside and sort the seeds into flyers, riders, poppers, or floaters. Students discuss the differences...
Lesson Plan
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Changing How Things Look

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use a literature study in order to investigate how organisms effect an ecosystem. They are asked questions about change taken from the book. Students also take a nature walk to make field observations.
Lesson Plan
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Do You See What I See?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders view a teacher-created terrarium, and complete a KWL chart. They discuss what they can see, Students go on a nature walk and compare the schoolyard to the terrarium, discussing the roles of rocks, plants, soil, and water...
Lesson Plan
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Take a Closer Look

For Teachers K - 3rd
Learners examine how to determine the species of a tree through the examination of the bark and leaves. They create tree rubbings, match bark samples with trees on a nature walk, match leaves using a tree identification guide, and...
Lesson Plan
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Seasons of Trees

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine how trees change over time. For this forestry lesson, students read the book The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree and choose three trees to observe over a period of time. Students record observations and seasonal changes...
Lesson Plan
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Care of the Environment

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners discuss human responsibility towards nature, read story The Man Who Planted Hope and Grew Happiness, take Close to Home quiz to measure their level of commitment to and concern for environment, and discuss ways to be more...
Lesson Plan
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Shapes (Orienteering)

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students explore the tools of navigation.  In this shapes lesson, students navigate using direction cues to create a shape.  Students follow specific steps to create their shapes. Students use compasses to see the directions...
Lesson Plan
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Creating AB Patterns

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students work with patterns. In this pattern activity, students find AB patterns in nature and the manmade world. They create their own AB pattern using math manipulatives and visual arts. 
Lesson Plan
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Bridges

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the different types, designs and nature of bridges. They observe a historical look at the bridges in and around the Pittsburgh area through a video presentation. Connections are made between science and...
Lesson Plan
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Wood You Believe: Wood Products

For Teachers 5th - 8th
In this wood products instructional activity, students walk to a forest near their school where they sit by themselves for a few minutes and quietly observe their surroundings. Students brainstorm wood or wood by products, discuss...
Lesson Planet Article
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Understanding Weathering and Erosion in the Environment

For Teachers 4th - 8th
You can use these lessons to enhance your students' understanding of weathering and erosion.
Lesson Plan
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Seeds! What is Inside; How does it Grow and Why is it Important?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discover the importance of seeds in relationship to nature.  In this plant growth lesson plan, students create a collection of seeds and discover the best type of environment to plant them.  Students plant their own...
Lesson Plan
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The Changing Earth

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students observe and analyze weathering. In this earth science lesson plan, students demonstrate physical and chemical weathering in two experiments, then write questions for a class Jeopardy game.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Temperate Forest: Biodiversity and Interdependence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the consequences of cutting down large amounts of forests throughout the world. In groups, they use the internet to complete a module taking them on a tour through different temperate forests. To end the lesson, they...
Lesson Plan
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Species Diversity in Ecosystems with Different Techniques of Land Management

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners visit numerous places to help in their understanding of Ecology. For this biology lesson plan, students will learn about characteristics and how to identify numerous plants and animals. This lesson allows for many field trip...
Lesson Plan
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Plastics by the Numbers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate plastic resins and their uses. In this plastics lesson plan, students describe major plastic resins and what they are used for, they compare and contrast the properties of plastic resins and they list products that...
Lesson Plan
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Facing History and Ourselves

Who Are We?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the diversity of communities. In this community-building lesson, 6th graders compose biopoems and create a classroom exhibit entitled "Who am I? Who are We?"
Lesson Plan
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Readers Who Struggle Can Learn From Wonderful Teacher/Student Created On-Level Reading Projects

For Teachers K - 1st
Students create their own books. In this book making lesson, students pick a subject and take photographs of it. They use these photographs to write their own story using their sight words. 
Lesson Plan
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Layers of the Forest

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore rain forests.  In this rain forest ecosystems instructional activity, students identify and describe the layers of the rain forest. Students paint and decorate a large rain forest mural. Students write riddles about...
Lesson Plan
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Tetonic Plates and Faults

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students understand the basic properties of plate motion. They demonstrate what happens to a plate while faulting while using manipulatives. They demonstrate the Nature of Scientific Inquiry to solve scientific issues.
Lesson Plan
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Shape Hunt

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students photograph shapes around their school and create a shape movie.  In this shape hunting lesson, students recognize shapes in a shape hunt.  Students can identify the shapes recorded by others in the class.
Lesson Plan
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Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Private-Religious)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how to prevent cruelty to animals. In this stewardship lesson, students discover the Biblical laws of Tza’ar Ba’alei Chaim. Students volunteer their time to assist community organizations that promote animal welfare.
Lesson Plan
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Shape Recognition

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students explore geometry by analyzing different shapes. In this shape identification lesson, students discuss the characteristics that make certain shapes unique and the same characteristics that cause shapes to look the same. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Breaking News: Second Explosion at Japan Nuclear Plant (14th March, 2011)

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore current events by sharing information about the Japanese nuclear plant. In this nuclear energy lesson, students discuss the pros and cons of nuclear energy plants and whether or not they can typically withstand natural...