Beyond Benign
Reactions Lab
You're bound to get a reaction from your classes with this experiment! Scholars perform several chemical reactions, make observations, and classify the reactions as single replacement, double replacement, composition, or decomposition...
Science 4 Inquiry
All the Small Things
Scholars use sorting cards to try to define a pure substance versus a mixture. Risk becomes reward as they observe the differences and create a flowchart sorting matter into mixtures and pure substances (elements and compounds).
Curated OER
Suspended Particulates lab
Students observe differences between suspended particulates and a solution, and classify common atmospheric gases and particulates. They explain what they think the word suspended means. Students observe the differences between what...
Curated OER
A Biology Game To Promote Classification And Observation
Students play a biology game. In this science lesson plan, students play a game that require them to use observation skills and develop their classification skills.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Lab
Students examine fabric. In this Applied Science lesson, students look at the fibers of fabric through a microscope. Students compare and contrast a variety of fibers.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Pre-Lab 4C
Scholars classify the sciences. Using applied science, they compare and contrast subfields of sciences. They compare qualitative versus quatitative. They discuss types of sciences and the meanings of the word roots of the names.
Cornell University
Glued into Science—Classifying Polymers
Explore the unique characteristics of polymers. A complete lesson begins with a presentation introducing polymers. Following the presentation, young scientists develop a laboratory plan for creating substances using polymers. They...
Curated OER
Bug's Eye View
Investigate the life of bugs and how they interact with the environment in this integrated science and language arts lesson. Young scientists construct mini environments in cages in order to make observations. This data forms the basis...
Curated OER
Collecting and Classifying Pollen
High schoolers collect and analyze pollen from different species of plants. In small groups, they classify pollen according to shape, size and physical characteristics. They draw the basic anatomy of flowering plants and create a...
Curated OER
Reading the River
In collaborative groups, young ecologists measure the temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen for three different freshwater samples. They examine each sample with a microscope and record observations on the microorganisms in the pond...
Curated OER
Can You See It, Touch It, Hear It?
Students develop and practice observational skills through lab activity.
Curated OER
Types of Matter
Students analyze different types of matter according to its general and specific properties. They design an experiment to classify matter. Students are shown cornflakes and raisins. They are asked what type of substance is each...
Curated OER
What's in Our Woods?
Students observe their local forest and document the change that occurs over the school year. For this forestry lesson, students utilize a GPS to mark a certain area of the woods as their study area for the remainder of the year....
Cornell University
Exploring Rocks and Minerals
Investigate the properties of rocks and minerals through a rockin' hands-on activity. Learners test rocks for various properties and, using a guide, attempt to identify different samples. They use various properties including hardness,...
Curated OER
Will It Sink or Float?
Students perform experiments to see if items will sink or float. In this sink or float instructional activity, students work in groups to make predictions, and record the results. After the experiments are complete students make a book...
Curated OER
Prime and Composite Number Mini Lab
Elementary schoolers determine the attributes of prime and composite numbers. Pupils, working in pairs, participate in an activity in which they use manipulatives to show the rectangles that can be made from square tiles. They practice...
Curated OER
Periodic Behavior of Oxides
Young scholars investigate the properties of oxides and observe their periodic trends. In this behavior of oxides lesson plan, students experiment with metallic oxides and non-metallic oxides to determine if they are acid, basic or...
Science Matters
Forms of Energy
The amount of energy Americans use doubles every 20 years. The first lesson in a 10-part series teaches scholars about different forms of energy. They rotate through five stations with hands-on activities or experiments at each in order...
Virginia Department of Education
A Dichotomous Key of Virginia’s Native Plants
Can your class correctly classify plant species? Individuals explore native plants of the local environment and correctly classify them into their respective categories. They investigate differences in the plants and discuss similarities...
Curated OER
Oobleck
Here is a good instructional activity which aptly describes how to do the classic "Oobleck" lab with your young scientists. Unfortunately, the "Oobleck Investigation Sheet" in the plan doesn't open. However, this is a very clear...
Curated OER
Freshwater Fish Anatomy & Taxonomy
Tenth graders use a classification key to identify organisms. In this classification lesson students identify freshwater species of fish and document their observations.
Texas State University
Earth: Deposition and Lithification
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
Curated OER
Classification
Students work in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity part of this exercise. They classify ten animals using the information on the picture to group the animals. Students develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models...