Science Matters
That’s An Otter Story
Young scientists discover how sea otters' habitats have changed due to human impact. Through conversation, video observation, and story reading, scholars identify how human interactions change a specific ecosystem in both positive and...
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Psychological First Aide (PFA) for Students and Teachers
Listen, protect, connect! Using the resource, teachers learn how psychological first aid helps scholars adjust after a crisis or school emergency. They discover how to observe changes in pupils' school performance, listen and offer...
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Critter Characteristics
Young scholars explore the adaptations of deep sea life forms. In this science lesson, students watch a video to observe characteristics which allow for the sea creature to thrive in it's environment. Young scholars determine the...
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Quarters: Arkansas and Vermont
Students compare and contrast the natural resources of Arkansas and Vermont and the design of the quarter. Students infer from their Venn diagrams and maps how regions differ across the United States.
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Outdoor Activities: Taking Science Outside
Students participate in various outdoor science activities to enhance their observation, classification, and analysis skills. In this outdoor lesson, students begin by observing a tree from a straightforward angle, then from the...
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Chameleons
Students read "The Mixed-Up Chameleon" by Eric Carle. They discuss the chameleon's color changes and their ability to catch flies. They read a fact sheet. They view a live chameleon in a natural environment. They write down observations...
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Raw Materials
Students participate in a nature hike and record the natural resources observed. They compare traditional and modern versions of everyday use items, and create graphic organizers that demonstrate the interconnectedness of resources.
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Watershed Management
Students investigate the concept of a watershed. They conduct research into the concept using a variety of resources. Students take a field trip to a local watershed to make observations. The outcome is a report concerning the outside...
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Can You See It, Touch It, Hear It?
Students develop and practice observational skills through lab activity.
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Bug Hunt
Students strengthen observational skills by searching for insects in their home and classroom. In this observation lesson plan, students use magnifying glasses to classify what kinds of bugs were found. Students then create a bar graph...
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Wig-wag Physics
Learners make observations on the effects of a small, medium and large weight on the movement of a wig-wag apparatus. They use their observations to develop a generalized inference of the effect weight on movement patterns.
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Environmental Science/Water Pollution
Learners study natural habitats, aquatic life, renewable and non-renewable resources. They discuss conservation efforts for sea otters and desert toad in this units.
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Buffalo Gone: Appreciating Natural Resources
Students develop numercy skills by studying the number of bison before and after the arrival of European settlers in Canada. They examine the affect of the reduction in the number of bison on Native families.
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Charting the Moon
Sixth graders observe changes in the moon's appearance over a month and keep records of their observations. They write a plan for recording what they see, and a paragraph reflecting on what they have learned over the course of the month.
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Careers in Mining
Students study about natural resources and the decreasing amount. They observe the need for trained scientists and engineers. Finally, they take a small test to determine the areas of science they find most interesting.
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Estimation of Population Growth By Counting Offspring: Seed Multiplication
Students calculate the reproductive rate of a plant that creates multi seed fruits. They graph exponential growth and the complete a series of questions that help them infer that natural selection processes are at work in this population.
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Explore a Pond
In this explore a pond instructional activity, students observe a pond and then draw pictures of all of the animals and plants they see around the pond and in the water.
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Traditional Stories about Wind
Students observe and talk about wind using no weather instruments. In this wind lesson plan, students use their senses to observe wind. They also interview an Elder about wind.
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Habitat Preservation Project
Students demonstrate what happens when nature takes back land after humans have managed it. They find an area in the schoolyard, and mark it off with a boundary. Students build a simple fence with string and stakes. They put up a sign...
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School Yard Park/ Ecosystem
Fifth graders examine ecosystems in their schoolyard. For this nature and ecosystem lesson, 5th graders map their schoolyard into workable plots. They classify plants and animals found in the plot. They revisit their site every two weeks...
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Habitats and Components School Forest Lesson Plan
Second graders go on nature scavenger hunts. In this nature scavenger hunt instructional activity, 2nd graders explore the natural habitat of their school grounds and make observations regarding the objects and animals they find in the...
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Emily Dickinson & Poetic Imagination: "Leap, plashless"
Students analyze the poems of Emily Dickinson and write their own nature poem. In this poetry analysis lesson, students read Dickinson poetry and analyze the use of imagery, sound, and metaphor. Students write their own nature poem using...
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Evolution of Life
Learners explore the evolution of life. They read sections of their text and make a foldable of the key vocabulary terms. They identify two types of butterflies and represent their similarities and differences on a Venn diagram. They...
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Schoolyard Field Guide
Fourth graders observe, plan, research, and create a field guide for the trees that are in their schoolyard. In this trees lesson plan, 4th graders make careful observations of what they see around their school and create a guide.