Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Fact Patterns: A Film Guide
What does it take to create a scientific theory? Learners attempt to answer the question by studying the work of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. While watching a video, they track observations from each scientist and then look...
NOAA
Your Own El Nino
Scholars make a model to discover how the force of trade winds over the Pacific Ocean creates an El Niño. Super scientists observe how the severe weather affects life in water and on land.
Curated OER
Hazards: Fifth Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
After comparing earthquake and volcanic hazards to one another, fifth graders take a closer look at damage associated with a volcanic eruption. They then create a simulation of mudslides due to a volcanic eruption. Using different...
Curated OER
Prairie Plant Investigation
Students carefully observe prairie plants and record their observations in a science journal. They examine the root systems of grasses and flowers and surmise how these plants can grow together on the prairie.
Curated OER
We All Live Together
First graders examine the lifestyle of classroom and family pets in their natural habitat. They determine the needs of plants and animals, and how those needs are met. They listen to read alouds, sing songs, and draw using computer based...
Curated OER
Line With Printmaking
Third graders investigate the use of lines in different pieces of art by creating their own ink print. In this art analysis lesson, 3rd graders identify the contours and lines of natural objects such as twigs and leaves. Students...
Curated OER
Living vs. Non-living
Students go on a nature walk and observe and discuss the living and non living things they see in the ecosystem. In this living and non living lesson plan, students complete a connecting string activity to simulate an ecosystem.
Curated OER
Frost Depth Study
Students complete activities to study the frost and frost depth. In this frost study lesson, students use frost tubes to study and measure the frost at their school. Students measure the frost in the tube and enter their data online to...
Curated OER
Writing an Expository Paragraph Using Time Order - Ndakinna Wilderness Project
Teach your class how to camouflage themselves - and how to structure an expository paragraph - after learning about the Ndakinna Wilderness Project. They watch a video about observing nature, then discuss how to camouflage themselves....
Curated OER
Comparing Seeds
Students explore the process of growing plants from seeds. In this hands-on science experiment, students observe different seeds (store bought vs. those directly from food items) and predict growing patterns.
Curated OER
Nature Art Exploration
Young scholars draw a nature landscape using watercolors. In this life science lesson, students share their personal experience on the beauty of nature. They create clay models of different native animals.
Curated OER
Be a Geography Observor and Recorder
Learners investigate the human and physical features of their school neighborhood. They observe the physical and man made features outside, make illustrations of their observations, and develop a class list of their observations.
Curated OER
Balance of Nature Pyramid
Students study the concept of food chains and create a physical forest food chain pyramid. In this balance of nature pyramid lesson, students identify the ingredients needed on each level of the pyramid then make connections...
Curated OER
Kernels of Wisdom: Investigating Natural Variations in Corn
Here is a brain-popper! Corn, or more appropriately, maize, was intentionally domesticated by humans around 9,000 years ago and over a period of hundreds to thousands of years! Genetics and botany researchers have collaborated to find...
National Wildlife Federation
Bird Behavior Hike
Bird behaviors have a distinct purpose. Using a tally sheet, learners observe and record different bird behaviors in nature. They practice their observation skills while learning how birds act and why.
Curated OER
Be Kind to Mother Nature!
A clever worksheet on identifying things that harm the environment is here for you. Elementary schoolers read a short paragraph describing the harm that can come to the environment due to human activities. Then, they must circle five...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Seasons of a Plant
Reading the cues from nature can be as much an art as a science. The second installment in a six-part unit on climate teaches learners that environmental and biological events have significance. They first learn the difference between...
Curated OER
Lesson: Weaving Words
A woven rug depicting birds and cornstalks becomes the inspiration for a lesson on critical thinking and creative writing. Learners analyze the symbolism found in the rug and then compose a descriptive paragraph or poem that embodies the...
Concord Consortium
Forming a Molecular Bond
They say two's company, but three's a crowd... unless you're talking about molecular bonding! Chemistry scholars experiment with two- versus three-atom bonding in an engaging simulation. Learners must place the third atom in a location...
PBS
Print Hints
It would be a crime not to give the lesson a chance! An inquiry-based lesson has pupils assume the role of crime scene investigators as they make observations about shoe prints. They look for patterns in the prints such as distance and...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Paleoclimate: A History of Change
Earth's climate changed drastically throughout the history of the planet, so why do scientists blame humans for recent changes? Observe data covering the history of the planet that proves the natural climate change patterns. Then, learn...
Science Matters
Photosynthesis-Cellular Respiration Cycle
The balance of nature can be a wondrous thing! With the 19th instructional activity of the 21-part series on systems, learners explore the cycle of photosynthesis and cellular respiration using a lab-based activity. Groups set up...
Aquarium of the Pacific
Ocean Drifters
Take a drift in the ocean. Class members watch a video on plankton, the drifters of the ocean. Scholars find out about the different types of plankton and sea jellies. To add a little variety, they use the aquarium webcams to study sea...
Curated OER
Pattern And Design in Nature
Students observe natural objects carefully and note intricate design and structure beyond surface form.