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I Wonder Why There Is So Much Frass...
Students examine frass and try to determine what it is. They make observations and add to their growth charts on a daily basis. They make predictions and support them to end the lesson.
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Butterfly Pavilion
Students learn about butterflies through books and observation in a butterfly pavilion. In this butterfly pavilion lesson, students use hand lenses to observe the metamorphosis of the butterfly and record in their journals. Students feed...
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Plant and Animal Cells
Students investigate parts of a cell. In this plant cell lesson plan, students determine the difference between plant and animal cells. Students discover that coral is an animal based on cell characteristics. Students create puppets to...
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Human Fingerprints: No Two the Same
Sixth graders explore scientific observations by analyzing a group of data. In this fingerprint identification lesson, 6th graders identify the reasoning behind fingerprinting and create their own ink fingerprints. Students discuss the...
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Earthworms
Students observe and chart the body of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson plan, students each get their own earthworm to observe and play with. They then record the different body parts of an earthworm and the different behaviors they...
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Spiders Have Special Characteristics
Learners state reasons why spiders are grouped in specific categories, including what distinguishes a spider from an insect. They report on their observations of the spiders. They illustrate their report with drawings in their journals.
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Uniquely Leaves
Fourth graders study the uniquely diverse structural design of leaves and demonstrate knowledge of interdependence between structure and environment through research, laboratory activity and written summary.
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Fun Activities Using Seeds
Students analyze the size, shape, and form of several different seeds. In this all about seeds lesson plan, students complete four activities involving characteristics of seeds. Students observe the seeds, record information about the...
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Cycles of Life
Students begin their study of insect life cycles by listening to a read aloud of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They learn the vocabulary of metamorphosis including egg, larva, pupa, chrysalis, and adult. They observe actual...
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Forest Ecosystem Field Trip
Students investigate the environment by participating in a class field trip. In this botany instructional activity, students attend a field trip through their local park or forest while listening to a nature guide. Students practice...
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Decomposers- Nurse Logs
Learners investigate temperate forest ecosystems. In this environmental instructional activity, students discover different forms of decomposition and its effect on the environment.
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Kingdom Protista
For this kingdom protista worksheet, middle schoolers conduct an experiment by placing a handful of grass in to a jar and filling the jar with pond water. Then they place the jar in a dark place for 3 days and observe the contents....
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Microscopy Exercises
Students explore organisms and botany by utilizing microscopes. In this microscopic research lesson, students define many plant and organism related vocabulary terms such as conifers, moss and spores. Students view spores and other...
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Investigating Fingerprints
Students observe that each individual possesses a unique set of fingerprints. The Magic School Bus series of books, "Inside the Human Body," is used in conjunction with this lesson.
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Points of View in Nature
For this points of view in nature worksheet, students choose two points of view for a nature observation then draw a picture or take of photo for each, and write a caption.
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Take a Hike!
Students explore the benefits of staying active by going on a hike. In this physical education instructional activity, students discuss the concept of a hike, where a good place to hike is and what types of foods are necessary to stay...
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What is an Insect?
Students examine insects and identify physical characteristics of insects. They perform observations of insects, then use a worksheet imbedded in this plan to answer questions about them.
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Is Our Water Clean?
Students identify qualities of clean water which will develop an awareness of people in the community who keep our water clean. This lesson has a literature tie-in with the "Magic School Bus" series.
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Let It Snow!
Learners make the most of the season's first snowfall with a snowflake study. They create original snowflakes from paper, collect authentic snowflakes on paper, and examine and compare the snowflakes.
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Transportation
Students read about various modes of transportation for people, plants, and animals. In this transportation lesson, students read information about the transportation modes for people plants, and animals using water and land. Students...
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Ecosystem Energizers
Fourth graders see how the flow of energy through an ecosystem made up of producers, consumers, and decomposers carries out the processes of life and that some energy dissipates as heat and is not recycled.
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Ecosystems
Third graders identify and define an Ecosystem and the basic needs of all animals. They collect pond water in a pickle jar. They observe the organisms that are in the jar to keep an ongoing record of the creatures and their population.
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Have You Ever Wondered?
Students use their personal knowledge and the Internet to discover where and how spiders live. In groups, they discuss their experiences with spiders and how their lives differ from other insects. They use new vocabulary to discuss their...
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You Are Where You Live
Third graders observe insects in a number of habitats. They recognize which insect characteristics are adaptations to their habitats.