Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in a Name?

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students study the binomial system of naming organisms. They are given a name of an organism and they must draw a picture of what they think the organism looks like. Then they research the organism, find what it really looks like, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's In A Name?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the concept of the binomial system of nomenclature for classifying organisms. Students travel on a field trip to observe organisms displayed and their common names. Learners complete several classroom activities and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bacteria: The good, the bad, the ugly

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders conduct an experiment.  For this bacteria lesson, 7th graders list living and nonliving things and brainstorm the characteristics they share.  Students are divided into two groups where they put samples of hand...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Helping the Adolescent Cope with Family Life

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students are introduced to the proper ways to deal with conflict at home. In groups, they define family based on what it means to them and identify factors that lead to a breakdown in communications. They participate in role-playing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jet Delivers Books to Kids Overseas

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify the function of organizations, then read a news article about an organization called Room to Read that is sending books to poor countries. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey to the Center of a Cell

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders create a large scale model of a eukaryotic cell. In this biology lesson, 9th graders identify the different parts and function of the cells by using a robot to navigate through the cell models. They create a video tutorial...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cells All Around

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners measure the size of an epithelial cell and to estimate the number of epithelial cells in a given area of the body. After watching a video on cells, student groups perform an experiment using a microscope to view some of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From One End to the Other

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders trace a piece of food through the digestive system. They describe the functions of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, etc.
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

The Digestive System

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders simulate how the digestive system works. In this hands-on simulation, 4th graders complete six group activities that help students visualize how our body breaks down food into nutrients.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trait Variations for Survival

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young learners examine how different traits could give one organism an advantage over another. In groups, they view two different organisms in different environments. To end the lesson, they complete a Venn Diagram on the two organisms...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Piece of Cake: Ocean Communities

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explain habitats. In this model based instructional activity students create a model to help describe a habitat that is typical of deep-water. Students will describe how organisms such as coral and sponges add to their habitat.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Family Tree

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners create a family tree in this culminating activity to their family unit. In this family tree lesson, students extend their learning about the family unit by working in small groups to develop a three generation family tree. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reasons to Settle in America

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students complete a research project.  In this American History instructional activity, students work in groups to research reasons that people wanted to settle in America.  Students record the information, share what they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My State of the Union

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, in groups, research states and using various print and nonprint reference materials. The groups make a presentation to inform the class about all the information from the state. This lesson plan provides imbedded support...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Word Webs And Mind Maps

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students develop a simple understanding of the brain's two hemispheres and their separate yet connected functions. They explain that if they are to improve their drawing skills they should get into their right mind.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sex Education

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders take a survey to determine their attitudes toward sexuality. In groups, they identify female and male reproductive organs and develop a list of secondary sex traits during puberty. They also discuss the stages of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bureau Stats

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the role of bureaucracy in United States government; they then examine the history, leadership, organization, and goals of executive agencies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

So You Think You're Tough

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders learn how to classify animals. In this invertebrates lesson, 4th graders discuss how we classify thinks into groups and move into a discussion about classifying animals. Students learn about the differences between...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"The Soil Around Us" Project

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students explore how to storyboard. They examine the tasks and roles involved in creating a multimedia presentation. They create a list of quality attributes for the presentation. Use the list to improve the style, accuracy and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FDR's First Inaugural Address

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners, in groups, describe a photo to the class. They determine which New Deal program is depicted in each of the images based on the research they conducted.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Animals in Soil

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners investigate and observe small animal activity on a plot of land on their school grounds. In small groups they identify the five kingdoms of animals, stake out a small plot of ground, collect samples, record and analyze any data...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Inventions

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students construct or draw an invention of their own design.  For this problem solving lesson, students define the word invention, discuss famous inventions, invetors, and how inventions come about.  Students work in groups to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dictionaries

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students understand the way the dictionary is laid out as well as the purpose for why people use dictionaries. In this language arts lesson, students recognize the need for alphabetical order and are able to find words using a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dress Up a Twig

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students study the structure and function of the parts of a winter twig. They determine how to identify trees using the twigs.