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The Tree Detective - Basic Dendrology
Students identify tree species by their leaf characteristics. In this dendrology lesson plan, students learn leaf vocabulary and collect leaves. They identify the leaves using the leaf characteristics and the vocabulary that they learned.
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Classification of Cerealites
Students create a dichotomous key. In this categorizing lesson, students create a dichotomous key for different types of cereal. Students classify the cereal into groups such as flakes and cereal with holes. Students discuss their...
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The Key To Classifying Animals
Explorers of the environment construct a dichotomous key for a variety of organisms and design a key to classify Galapagos animals based on descriptions and images. The lesson includes a link to an animal gallery and the worksheet for...
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Lunch
First graders view and sort a display of fruits and vegetables by one characteristic. They listen as the teacher reads the story, "Lunch." Students identify items on the pages as living or nonliving, fruit or vegetable. Using magazines,...
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Mystery Minerals
Students minerals and how they form. They investigate the classification of minerals according to physical properties. Students watch a video about mineral characteristics. In groups, students participate in hands-on activities and...
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Worm Compost & Vermicomposting
Young scholars explore vermicomposting, the species of worms needed and the proper climate for it. In this composting lesson students make their own worm compost bin.
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Wildlife Around the World
Middle schoolers examine how plants are able to adapt to their ecosystem and the role that fire plays in changes through the years. In this ecosystem lesson students complete several exercises focussing on plants and their...
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I Know What I Am... but, What Are You? (Classifying Living Things)
Learners examine how to classify living things by effects, environment, and activity. They explore various websites, develop a list of facts they learn about classifications, and participate in a distance online learning session with the...
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Tag and Recapture
Sixth graders participate in an activity in which colored jelly beans represent fish in a lake--10 green jellybeans per "lake" representing tagged fish. They draw from the beans (fish) and record the number of tagged fish they draw...
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The Loneliest Animals
Students examine the different species that are headed towards extinction. In this animal population lesson students compare the causes of extinction, research an endangered species and present an oral report.
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Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?
Students compare wolves' behaviors to those of the human race. In this wolf lesson students write a story that will show that wolves are either good or evil.
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Tables, Charts and Graphs
Students examine a science journal to develop an understanding of graphs in science. In this data analysis lesson plan, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer and discuss the meaning of the included graph....
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Perception is not Always Reality
Seventh graders explore explanations of natural illusions. In this perception lesson students solve a problem by applying the process of science.
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Floating Soap
Learners explore the density of soap. In this science instructional activity, students conduct an experiment to find which types of soap will float. Learners make a hypothesis and record their observations.
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Red, Green, and Blue Mystery Liquids! Hypothesis or Inference?
Eighth graders are actively involved in the scientific method and inquiry as they form quick hypotheses based upon a teacher set of mystery liquids. They determine the need to make additional observations of the liquids.
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Lesson Plan: The Cell- A Historical Perspective
Young scholars discover the impact the invention of the microscope had on scientific discovery as well as the concept of spontaneous generation and the cell theory. Students examine these scientific concepts through a WebQuest and by...
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Let’s Make Cottage Cheese
Young scholars watch the process of making cottage cheese from milk, then season and taste the product. In this making cottage cheese instructional activity, students make a connection between what they eat and where it came...
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Ocean Grazers Conclusion
Students research an ocean species. In this science lesson, students create a research presentation as a conclusion to the ocean grazers unit. Students present their projects to the class and complete a self-reflection paper.
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Gold Mine
Students investigate gold. In this gold panning lesson, students demonstrate the process of mining through an experiment using two boxes of sand. Students design a safe way to mine gold.
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Response to Stimuli
Students study the process of detection, coordination and response. In this biology lesson plan, students design an experiment to test stimuli response. They participate in a game-show style quiz after the activity.
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Forensic Detectives: Who Did It?
Students explore forensic science and its uses in criminal investigations. They solve a fictional crime by identifying and analyzing the fingerprints, strand of hair, and thread samples for evidence. After completing charts for each,...
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A Comparison of Polymeric Liquids with Newtonian Liquids
Students perform several tests on liquids. In this general science lesson, students compare the properties of polymeric and nonpolymeric liquids. They explain the composition and importance of macromolecules.
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Observations and Inferences
Students examine coral skeletons. In this science lesson, view real coral skeletons. Students explain the differences between an observation and an inference. Students draw a coral skeleton.
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Reading the River - Biological Classification
Youngsters create a list of grocery store items and then work together to categorize them as if they were setting up the shelves of the market. Then they are given a box of miscellaneous objects to practice categorizing. With these two...