Curated OER
What Does It Matter?
Students define matter, the chemical properties of matter, and the physical properties of matter. They name physical and chemical properties of matter (by classifying using a Tree Map). Students determine the mass, volume, and density of...
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Naturally Magnetic Elements
Students explore naturally magnetic elements. In this magnets instructional activity, students examine the periodic table of elements. Students discover the parts of an atom and determine which three elements are magnetic.
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Decomposers- Nurse Logs
Students investigate temperate forest ecosystems. In this environmental activity, students discover different forms of decomposition and its effect on the environment.
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An Introduction to Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines and their uses in everyday life. In this scientific method instructional activity, students examine physical tools such as wedges, screws, and levers using a "how does it work" approach....
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Lenses
Students explore vision by experimenting with lenses in equipment. In this optics lesson, students define the different technology that enhances vision such as microscopes, telescopes and cameras. Students experiment with these devices...
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Magnetic Experiment
Third graders experiment with magnets. In this magnet experiment lesson, 3rd graders explore magnetic attraction and repulsion. Students rotate through four stations and investigate the properties of magnets.
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The Earth's Landscape#156
Students define a word from the natural disaster list, find a location in the world where this type of disaster has occurred and discuss what they have identified. They design a crossword puzzle of natural disaster words or check a...
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Through the Eyes of an Owl
Students describe vertebrates in terms of observable body parts and characteristics and describe life cycles of familiar organisms. They identify familiar organisms as part of a food chain or food web and describe their feeding...
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Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion
Fourth graders describe the difference between minerals (composed of the same substance throughout) and rocks (composed of two or more minerals). They recognize that there are three classes of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
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Ooblek
Students demonstrate the three states of matter. In this matter lesson, students read Bartholomew and the Ooblek. Students create "ooblek" and discuss what state of matter it is.
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The Tropical Rain Forest
Students use various web sites to access information about the rain forest. They use the Tropical Rainforest Interactive CD to make their own rain forest pictures and stories and learn facts about the rain forest. They use various books...
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Moh's Scale of Hardness
Students investigate how to use Moh's Hardness Scale. For this geology lesson, students examine several minerals and develop a hypothesis about which mineral is the hardest. Students use the Moh's Scale Identification Chart to determine...
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What Does it Take to be a Survivor? Part One
Students explore marine animal adaptation. In this introductory ocean life biology lesson, students access prior knowledge by participating in a whole class "thought swap." Students form two lines, respond to a prompt from the teacher...
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Out of This World
Fifth graders animate their own planets. In this solar system lesson, 5th graders use smartphones and the software, GoKnow Sketchy, to create images for presentations on their created planets that appear to be animated when played...
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Intertidal Zones
Students explore intertidal zones. In this intertidal zones lesson plan, students work in small groups and use ready-made materials to create a model of intertidal zones. Resources are provided.
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How Are Open Ocean Organisms Structured for Their Environment?
Students explore biology by conducting an animal dissection. For this oceanography lesson, students identify the life cycle of a squid and other animals that are involved with commercial fishing. Students dissect a squid in class and...
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IceHunters: Welcome to the Cryosphere!
Students complete an online exploration mission assigned by their teacher. In this ecology lesson, students write a newspaper article about their polar mission following certain criteria. They create a PowerPoint presentation that they...
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Enzymatic Action
Students observe how a cell uses an enzyme to rid itself of a poisonous substance by experimenting with hydrogen peroxide, potatoes, liver and carrots. They record the temperature and changes of the hydrogen peroxide as other elements...
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Ants
Third graders study the habits and habitats of ants. They research the use of technology as a valuable investigation tool and access other web sites for future research projects. The students make successful decisions while playing SimAnt.
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Invent on the Spot
The best inventions come from a problem that needs to be solved! Given a container with holes in...
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Wonder Underground
Learners classify and record objects they find "underground." In this observation lesson plan, students dig into bins filled with soil and encounter various objects such as bark, twigs, etc. Learners classify their findings.
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"Four" Goodness Sake
Fourth graders recognize that ethnicity, religion and geography are reflected in the food choices we make. For this food choices lesson, 4th graders discuss different types of food from different places. Students compare a menu to the...
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High Five Burger
Fifth graders investigate agricultural sources. In this agricultural instructional activity, 5th graders read the book Have a Hamburger and See the U.S.A. and record each component of a hamburger. Students use a map of the U.S.A. to...
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Reaching Across Borders In Southern Africa
Learners gain a greater understanding of how political borders impact human and environmental development. Then, either individually or as a class, establish a correspondence with a Peace Corps volunteer working in Africa.