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Investigating Bean Pods and How They Grow
Third graders observe and create a record of seed growth over time. After planting a seed, 3rd graders record their observations of the seed's growth over a three week period. Upon conclusion of the experiment, they write a paragraph...
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Seed Sensation
Students explore seeds through dissecting, sorting, comparing and contrasting. They draw their observations of both a closed and open seed and then they label the parts of a seed. They brainstorm where seeds come from. They compare seeds...
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The Virtual Electron Microscope
Students explore the world of the very small using a Flash plug-in Virtual Electron Microscope. They complete and discuss an activity in which unknown samples are placed under the computer simulated microscope to determine where the...
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"The Soil Around Us" Project
Students look at Web sites containing information about soil and related subjects such as earthworms. They use Web site review sheets to focus their review of the content on the sites and to introduce evaluation concepts for the design...
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Plant Pollination
Students investigate methods of pollination for various flowers. In this plant biology lesson, students learn the parts of a flower and form a hypothesis about the method of pollination for the flower. They determine the validity of...
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Bacteria's Role in Food
Students grow bacteria cultures on agar in petri dishes and do a plate count. They participate in a yogurt making lab to see how bacteria produce lactic acid. They prepare a recipe and identify fungi, fermentation and the role of...
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EASY (AND CHEAP) CRYSTAL GROWING
Students grow salt crystals by making a saturated solution of table salt and let the solution sit around and evaporate.
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BOWEN'S REACTION SERIES
Students research Bowen's Reaction Series and recreate the process in an experiment which details the crystallization sequence of minerals that can be observed in nature.
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Air Pollution
Students collect and examine particulate matter found in the air. In this pollution lesson, students use microscope slides and petroleum jelly to collect particulate matter from several different locations, then use a microscope to...
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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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Comparing Spiders to Insects
Third graders research spiders and insects through a variety of Internet sites and compare them. In this spider and insect lesson, 3rd graders complete a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting insects and spiders. ...
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Seed Surprises
Students investigate seeds and their growth. In this agriculture lesson plan, students read the book How a Seed Grows and discuss the seed cycle. Students examine real seeds and identify their properties. Students create a set of...
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Plant and Animal Cells
Students investigate parts of a cell. In this plant cell lesson, 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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Light and Optics
Third graders utilize the scientific method to explain light and optics in this five lessons unit. Through experimentation and discussion, 3rd graders canvass the concepts of light traveling, reflection and refraction.
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Stations of Light
Student groups rotate through four stations to examine light energy behavior: refraction, magnification, prisms and polarization. They see how a beam of light is refracted (bent) through various transparent mediums. Learners investigate...
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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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Solar Oven
Sixth graders design two different solar ovens to learn about heat transfer. They investigate the movement of heat between objects by conduction, convection, and radiation. They become aware of things they can't control, like the...
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Crystals
Students investigate patterns in solids, the structures of crystals and rocks made up of minerals. In this crystals lesson plan, students review solids, make patterns with Styrofoam balls, make crystals in the lab and observe their...
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Sumptuous Sprouting Seeds!
Third graders investigate the wonderful and wondrous world of plants. They examine the inside of a seed, explore the different parts of a seed, plant their own seeds, watch them sprout and then eat them! They describe, using their...
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Rock and Mineral IQ
Students observe rock and mineral compositions. In this identification lesson plan, students read The Story of Rocks. Students identify rock and mineral samples by testing for hardness, color, luster, weight and appearance.
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A Symphony of Decomposers
Students discover decomposition. In this environmental instructional activity, students explore different types of decomposers and their role within the ecosystem. Students also discover how waste interferes with the decomposition process.
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Mohs Hardness Test
Fifth graders listen as they are told about another way to classify rocks; by their hardness. They observe the Mohs Hardness Test overhead, discover how the test works, and then use materials such as pennies, butter knives, nails, and...
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Physical Properties of Matter
Students examine the physical properties of matter. They identify and classify a variety of objects based on their physical properties.
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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...