Curriculum Corner
I See a School
Give observational and writing skills a boost with a instructional activity that takes scholars on a sight-seeing journey around the school. Learners read sentences and color a corresponding picture, then write their own...
Biology in Motion
Evolution Lab
Evolution occurs though change over time, but can it go any faster? Scholars speed up the process of evolution and observe a simulation of 20 blue organisms fighting for survival. A graph displays the changes in phenotype over time. By...
Curated OER
Measuring Natural Objects
Students predict the measurement of objects. In this measurement activity, students estimate the measurements of objects in a lab. Students measure irregular objects and generate scientific observations.
Education Outside
Nature's Treasure Map
Youngsters construct a map of treasures that they find along a nature trail as they hike. They also make sketches and create place names of some of the spots along the trail. Once back in class, pupils use their treasure maps to help...
Curated OER
Participant-Observer Guidelines Handout
Take your collaborative group work to a higher level with this informative handout about the nature, aims, and tasks of participant-observers. Teaching middle and high schoolers how to improve group process advances collaboration skills...
Curated OER
Leaf Prints
Creating art from nature teaches learners how to appreciate the world around them while allowing them to practice artistic techniques. After observing and choosing fall leaves from outside, they create leaf prints. They press the painted...
Curated OER
Nature - animals in environment
Seventh graders observe and draw animals in their environment. They also examine the work of other artists. They choose one animal and create a clay model of it in its environment.
Curated OER
Observe Earth Day with Art Projects Made from Recycled Materials
Creative hands-on art project ideas that are easy on the earth and easy on a teacher’s budget.
Project Noah
Writing Goes Wild
Young scientists develop their observation and writing skills as they craft and then post a detailed description of a plant or animal they have spotted and photographed.
Curated OER
Lesson: Impressions
Here, Autumn Poplars is the painting upper graders will analyze. They look at techniques, time period, and the use of impressionism to convey a natural theme. They go outside to make observations of nature and use what they see to write...
Curated OER
Artificial Selection
The second lesson in the series begins with a starter activity discussing wild versus domesticated animals. Then, scholars play a card game, with optional variations, to emphasize artificial selection. Next, they attend a field trip to a...
K-State Research and Extensions
Water
How are maps like fish? They both have scales. The chapter includes six different activities at three different levels. Scholars complete activities using natural resources, learn how to read a map, see how to make a compass rosette,...
University of Minnesota
Mirroring Emotions
Do you ever give your class the "teacher look"? Without saying a word, they become silent and engaged (hopefully). How do they know what you're thinking? Explore the concept of nonverbal communication and how it relates to our...
Towson University
Mystery Disease
How did scientists determine the cause of illness before technology? Science scholars play the role of medical researcher in an engaging guided inquiry activity. Using observations, technical reading, and Punnett squares, learners...
Centers for Ocean Sciences
Ocean and Great Lakes Literacy: Principle 1
Is your current lesson plan for salt and freshwater literacy leaving you high and dry? If so, dive into part one of a seven-part series that explores the physical features of Earth's salt and freshwater sources. Junior hydrologists...
DiscoverE
Water Pollution Cleanup
How do scientists determine the best method for removing pollutants from our water sources? Environmental scholars experiment with pollution clean-up options to discover which are the most cost-effective, fastest, and most thorough....
California Academy of Science
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
At one point, all mammals carried only two color receptors, but now most humans carry three. An informative presentation and hands-on activity demonstrate how this evolved through genetics. By participating in the activity, pupils...
Curated OER
John Muir Nature Journal
Students explain how John Muir carefully and quietly observed nature and record his observations in his journal with writings and drawings. Students create their own nature observation journal.
Curated OER
Ranger Rick's Observing Night Lights
In this Ranger Rick's observing night lights worksheet, students observe and record the lights in their neighborhood at night and the effect on the environment.
Curated OER
Natural Phenomena That Change the Earth's Surface
Students explore a natural phenomenon. In this science lesson, students research a natural phenomenon and create a script about that phenomenon. Students act out their scripts for the class.
Curated OER
Numbers in Nature
Students identify numbers in nature. In this algebra activity, students solve problems using Fibonacci sequence as it is expressed in nature. They research the Fibonacci's pattern as it relates to numbers.
Curated OER
Natural Collaboration: Building With the Five Elements of Art
Young scholars assemble found natural objects into an artistic arrangement. They photograph their arrangement and Photoshop to enhance their artwork.
Curated OER
Spider Safari
Today we are talking about one of the stealthiest, sneakiest, and most intriguing insects of all times, the spider. Learners will examine the predatory nature of these super bugs as they conduct a spider safari survey. Each child will...
Curated OER
Modeling Patterns and Cycles in Our Lives
Students explore how building a model can help them better understand the natural world. They identify common cycles or patterns in nature as well as examples of models in the classroom. After discussion, they choose a pattern or cycle...