Curated OER
No Bones About It
Students act as paleontologists, examining pictures of dinosaur skeletons and applying their knowledge of the relationship between skeletal features and survival, to create 'Paleontology Reports' about their perceptions of the lives of...
Curated OER
The Arthropod Story
Learners learn a number of evolutionary concepts by following the long history of the arthropods and have opportunities to think about arthropod evolution in terms of both opportunities and constraints.
Curated OER
A Dog's Life
Students get a look into the life of dogs-from their origins and basic biology, through selective breeding, and into how dogs have become intricate parts of everyday life for many people worldwide.
Curated OER
Frogs Losing Ground
Middle schoolers explore an exhibit through an interactive program on frogs. They can listen to the different sounds frogs make and the different types of frogs. They search for the types of frogs they find in their local area.
Curated OER
Expedition Stories
Students use the Internet to research and discover information about expeditions that were formed to observe the transit of Venus. In groups, they work together to present information about the expeditions and create a visual aid.
Curated OER
Fabulous Fossils
Students investigate how fossils are formed. They read the book, "Digging Up Dinosaurs," examine fossil samples, create a fossil imprint using play-doh, and complete a Fossil Questionnaire activity sheet.
Curated OER
Water-The Liquid Gold
Students investigate the necessity of water for the survival of plants, animals, and people. They explore the affect that water has on human and natural environments through literature, field trips, and discussions.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Is it a Moth or a Butterfly?
Second graders examine the similarities and differences between moths and butterflies. They participate in a virtual field trip using a designated web site. They design a computer based slideshow using the information they find on the...
Curated OER
The Facts of Life
Students explore the different ways scientists gather information about extinct animals. They utilize these methods to create illustrated story books about a particular extinct animal.
Curated OER
Teaching about the Rainforest - Classroom Ideas
Students are introduced to the tropical rainforest through different ways that catch their attention such as: Visit a local botanical garden or conservatory so that students can see the variety of tropical plants in the world. They...
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What Teeth Tell Us
Students view pictures of a variety of animals. They examine the animals' teeth and discuss the differences in them. They experiment with staple removers (carnivore teeth) and two flat rocks (herbivore teeth) and determine which are most...
Curated OER
Life in Ancient Mesopotamia
Students reconstruct and make drawings of vessels in the same manner as an archaeologist. In this archaeologist lesson plan, students each get a piece of a broken pot and they have to work together to put it back together. Once it is...
Curated OER
The Fossil Hunt
Students recall prior knowledge of the process of fossilization. In this fossils lesson, students first create and at a later date, recover fossils. Students understand the painstaking process of recovering a fossil. Students recover and...
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Beautiful Butterflies - Activity Centers
Learners describe habitats within ecosystems, describe how organisms modify environment to meet their needs, and identify characteristics for butterfly survival. In this butterfly lesson plan, students explore all aspects of the...
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What is Cacao?
Students use the Internet to learn about the cacao plant. For this plants lesson, students complete a KWL chart on chocolate, learn about cocoa plants and discuss the parts of a plant. Students use the Internet to learn how...
Curated OER
A Strange Fish
Young scholars research the sea horse. In this sea horse lesson, students use the Internet to find information about the sea horse on sites bookmarked by the teacher. The young scholars write these facts on a page and create a sea horse...
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Pond-life Safari
Students determine the living and non-living parts of pond life. In this pond life lesson, students examine the plants, animals, and insects that live in ponds. They look through a variety of print media, cut out pictures, and arrange...
Curated OER
Inventions Change the World: The Enigma Machine
Third graders explore WWII by analyzing technological advances. In this invention instructional activity, 3rd graders discuss the use of the Enigma machine which decoded private German messages that communicated with U-boats. Students...
Curated OER
Images of the Parks
Students explore U.S. geography by completing a research project about the National Parks. In this scenery image analysis lesson plan, students identify the different national parks in our country and observe paintings and images by...
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MEET A PLANT - UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!
Students sharpen their observation and inquiry skills. They participate in a guided observation process that helps them focus on plant characteristics as a way to enhance both their appreciation and their knowledge of plants, plant...
Curated OER
The Greatest Show on Earth: The World's Smallest Animals
Students create instruments to capture different types of insects. In this The Greatest Show on Earth: The World's Smallest Animals lesson, students compare the attributes of certain insects and record the data on a chart. After catching...
Curated OER
Airplanes and Airports: How To Take Off Without Ever Leaving the Ground
Students plan an airport visit. In this Airplanes and Airports instructional activity, students observe the people, activity, and machinery at airports. Then students compare the characteristics of their observations at the airport....
Curated OER
Under the Spell of Spiders!
Students read about spider body parts, abilities, tendencies, and life cycles. In this Under the Spell of Spiders! lesson, students create mystery creatures that turn out to be spiders. Students catch and observe spiders and insects....
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Introduction To Orbital Mechanics
Students use NASA drawings to build a model satellite for a specific mission. They design a set of drawings for their satellite showing its subsystems as well.