Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keying Rocks

For Teachers 5th
Young geologists learn how to use an identification key in order to classify rocks. The key is designed to help them classify rocks into three types: ignesous, metamorphic, and sediimentary. After an initial teacher-led demonstration,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pharaoh Mountain Hike: Investigating Adirondack Life Zones

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students hike a local mountain and examine its life zones. They measure various components at each zone and collect leaf litter at the sites. At the mountain top, students make descriptive observations and complete a handout about the...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Decomposers Get Energy From Dead Things

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
When life gives you mold, make penicillin. Scholars design an inquiry experiment to determine what causes rotting and mold growth. It also covers decomposers and the important role they play for other living things. 
Lesson Plan
NASA

Producers Make Their Own Food

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
During an inquiry-based instructional activity, scholars decide which variable to test and then design an experiment to determine the needs of producers. After two weeks, they complete a full analysis and research paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Colony is Born : Lesson 5 - Dear Mem

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Discover colonies! Young historians will listen to a primary source journal entry read aloud with a backdrop of wave sounds. They discuss the entry, add historical facts to a chart and personal insights to another. Then they listen to...
Workbook
National Security Agency

Equations and Expressions

For Teachers 5th - 6th Standards
Learners demonstrate their knowledge pictorially, concretely, and abstractly in this unit meant to last three hours over three days. Using hands-on activities, manipulatives,  real-world applications, and problem...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle (Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation)

For Teachers 1st - 4th
The 3 steps of the water cycle, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, are the focus of this lesson. After a neat demonstration of rain using hot water, a pie tin, and ice cubes, young scientists observe and discuss the elements...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Times and Life During the California Gold Rush

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read about the era in their history books, write in their journals revolving around the Gold Rush, making crafts such as newspapers, and also play the part of the Forty-niners.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Environmental Issues: Air and Water Pollution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Thinking about designing a project for your social studies or environmental science classes? Use an overview of a project that prompts class groups to research an environmental issue.
Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Hillary Conquers Everest

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
If a field trip to the summit of Mount Everest isn't in your school budget, make the trek virtually! An interactive lesson allows class members to follow Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's trail up the mountain, and provides...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Kidlink Day Project

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students create journal entries on-line as part of a "Kidlink Day" activity. Entries are compared and evaluated by their peers. The writing process is practiced in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Germinate Bean Seeds

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students write the steps needed to germinate bean seeds, make predictions and observations and keep an experience journal and complete a chart.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals of Africa

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students identify animals indigenous to Africa, then create an imaginary animal using various materials they have at home. They write about their animal and include its name, characteristics, and describe how it defends itself.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growth of a Bean Documented by Child and Camera

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders photograph the growth of a bean plant and keep a daily written journal of observations. They drew, graphed and took notes on the plant growth which they compared to the photographic journal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children Actively Investigating Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Young scholars follow directions to set up their own record keeping journal. As a class, they are introduced to the characteristics of crystals and identify three types of crystals they see in their everyday lives. They examine...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather with Lewis and Clark: Then and Now

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe and write descriptions of the weather in a journal for one week. They research the daily journals of Lewis and Clark, compare the weather words used to their own personal journals, and discuss the need to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasons of Trees

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine how trees change over time. In this forestry instructional activity, students read the book The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree and choose three trees to observe over a period of time. Students record observations and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interview with Meriwether Lewis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars ask questions and prepare responses to Meriwether Lewis and his expedition. In this journal instructional activity students present their questions to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stories Of Seasons

For Teachers K
Students listen to the story "Henry and Mudge Under The Yellow Moon," and write their own story based on a season. In this writing lesson plan, kindergarteners are assisted in "writing" their story by an older student or the teacher....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japan and The Ring of Fire

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a study of the volcanic forces and earthquakes associated with The Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean. The people of Japan are researched in how they have dealt with living in the area. Also students write in journals...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What We Need

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify basic needs of plants. In this plant growth lesson, 1st graders observe types of plants and review the parts of a plant as well as the development of a seed. Students review related vocabulary and read The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observation Skills

For Teachers 1st
First graders observe a spider and write sentences about what they see the spider doing. For this writing lesson plan, 1st graders draw what they see, then make an edible spider out of marshmallows and twizzlers. A fun, delicious lesson...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Butterflies

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students will explore the life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly by raising their own. They will incorporate math, science, and language arts as they graph, pattern, journal, observe, and artistically create.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growth and Change as it Occurs in Plants and Flowers

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students work together to observe plants and flowers through their life cycle. In groups, they make predictions and record changes in a journal. Using this information, they create their own original artwork and discuss the plants life...