Peace Corps
Introducing Culture
Growing up within a culture leaves a lot of ideas and values unspoken. Take a closer look at the cultures in which your learners live with a discussion activity that addresses cultural identity and traits of those living within the...
Curated OER
Plants have needs, too!
Plants can die if they don't get enough sunlight and water. Kindergartners observe a picture of a hanging plant and grass under a tree, and interpret which each plant has died. Next, they grow watercress seeds in wet cotton to compare...
Science Matters
Plot Study
Small groups investigate plots of land to discover how abiotic and biotic factors interact. After recording their findings, scholars share observations with peers and self-reflect on the learning process.
Curated OER
What's In A Name? British Surnames Derived from Places
Students study how British surnames were derived from locations. They observe that some of the more common names are still prevalent today.
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Smoky Night (Bunting)
Experience the Los Angeles Riots through the eyes of a child in Even Bunting's poignant story Smoky Night. Use this text as you teach vocabulary in context, using comprehension questions to help scholars make connections to outside...
Virginia Department of Education
Molar Volume of a Gas
What is a chemist's favorite plant? Stoichiome Tree! Scholars produce hydrogen gas by reacting magnesium with hydrochloric acid. Then they calculate the molar volume of the gas produced before answering assessment questions.
Youth Outreach
Connecting the Separate Powers
Scholars demonstrate what they know about the separation of powers through role play. Two individuals act out a skit as the remaining class members discuss and decide whether the interaction they observed is an appropriate example...
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Schoolyard Biodiversity Investigation Educator Guide
In 1980, in the tropical rainforests of Panama, scientists discovered 1,200 species of beetles living in and around just 19 trees, with most of the species new to science—that's biodiversity! In the activity, learners work in teams to...
Curated OER
Letter of Complaint
Learners analyze this letter of complaint to the city council by answering nine short-answer questions. They examine author's purpose, word choice, claims, rhetorical questions, and general observations. There is a focus on constructive...
Curated OER
Flower Power
Determine which plants are flowering plants with a helpful lab sheet. Kids first observe illustrations of different plants, such as a carnation and a fern, then decide which plants produce flowers, spores, or cones. Use magazine pictures...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Seed Dispersal in Tropical Forests
How do seeds get around? It's not like plants can control seed dispersal—or can they? Dig deeper into the amazing mechanisms of seed dispersal observed in tropical plants through interactives, a video, and plenty of hands-on data...
iCivics
Lesson 1: Journalism
Extra! Extra! Do your pupils know what it takes to be a good journalist? Young news hounds explore the world of journalism through a series of activities that focus on ethical reporting. Learners read, evaluate, and investigate popular...
Curated OER
Fall Slumbers
Students observe changes in a selected tree leaf near their homes during the fall. Twice each week students record changes in the leaf using words, pictures, and numbers.
Curated OER
Spring Awakenings
Pupils observe changes in a selected tree bud/leaf during spring. They record changes in the bud/leaf using words, pictures and numbers. They understand that trees adapt to changes in temperature, light, and moisture by sprouting leaves.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Ring-a-ling
Students examine a cross section of a tree. They discuss what the rings mean and how they can tell its age. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Bird Research: Your First Investigation
In this bird research learning exercise, students keep a notebook and record their observations every day for a week about the birds they see with discussion questions at the end of the week.
Curated OER
Give Me Some Air!
Third graders examine how trees produce oxygen. They examine satellite images of the reservation they examining and interpret the number of trees on the land. They determine how natural resources should be used wisely.
Curated OER
The Woods and Pond
Young scholars participate in hands-on activities to explore their natural surroundings. They recognize that ponds and woods are ecosystems and compare differences between the two. They identify trees by their bark and leaves.
Curated OER
Forming a Hypothesis
In this hypothesis worksheet, students read about how to form a hypothesis and how to collect observations. Students go through the 4 steps of forming a hypothesis.
Curated OER
Describing Nests
Students observe bird nests. In this observation level, students explore bird nests using their five senses. Students compare and contrast bird nests while hypothesizing about the need birds have to construct the nest.
Curated OER
Decision Making
Students study weather patterns and learn to make decisions based on the weather. In this weather lesson, students plan a potluck based on the weather. Students use a decision tree to brainstorm about the activity. Students complete a...
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
Time and Cycles - Dendrochronology
Students investigate the lives of trees by examining ring cycles. For this plant life lesson, students identify the field of study known as dendrochronology and discover its history. Students investigate a simulated tree ring...