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Write Simple Rhymes
First graders observe that rhyming words have different beginnings, but the same endings by viewing examples on the overhead projector. They say the beginnings of the words that go with the correct endings. They then come up one at a...
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Third Grade Writing Lesson #2/Science Project
Third graders invent a gadget using one or more simple machines. They write a detailed description of that gadget.
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Alexander Calder: Master of Balance
Students build simple mobiles. In this equilibrium lesson, students investigate the functions of three types of levers as they analyze artwork by Alexander Calder. Students then create their own simplified mobiles.
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Polished Poetry: Strange Zoo
Fourth graders use an online word list editor and software to create opening lines for a poem. They select and edit these into a complete, polished poem about an animal. They investigate parts of speech and alliteration.
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Toy Tally One
Fifth graders explore simple machines. They examine toys and discover toys that are actually simple machines. Students share information, with the class, about their selected toy and how it works.
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Earth Movers and Shakers
Learners explore how the centuries-old invention of the lever led to today's applications in mobiles and crowbars. They watch a video on the lever, then utilize worksheets imbedded in this plan to guide their experiments.
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Medieval Catapults
Students design and build a working catapult or trebuchet to explore the concepts of force, motion, and distance.
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4-H Line & Design Activity Page
In this 4-H activity worksheet, students will select their favorite activities and projects from a menu of choices. Then they will work with their 4-H leaders and parents to create a project plan for the year. The activities include...
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NASA Robots
Students explore the world of robotics. In this robotics lesson, students discover what a robot is and work with partners to find out how hard it is to accurately guide robots through simple tasks.
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Program Your Partner
Students explore the world of robotics. In this robotics lesson, students study the history of robots and work with partners to find out how hard it is to accurately guide robots through simple tasks.
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TE Activity: Super Spinners!
Students make spinners to investigate rotational inertia, rotational speed, angular momentum, and velocity. They make two sets of spinners that have different mass distributions and shapes. They complete a worksheet while experimenting...
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Up, Up and Away
Fourth graders design and launch rockets. In this rocket instructional activity, 4th graders observe the changes in outcome caused by size and fuel variables. Students navigate the NASA website to learn the parts of a rocket. Students...
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Amazing Birds
What's so amazing about birds? Find out just how amazing birds are with a physics of animal behavior unit created by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Have learners explore and tap into their observational skills and notice how birds fly, what...
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Air Movers
Students learn about Rube Goldberg machines (complicated devices designed to accomplish simple tasks and then design and build a machine that uses more than six separate steps to move an empty aluminum can. They can either work...
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Diversity Among Us
Second graders examine diversity and disabilities that arise in the classroom environment by listening to a read aloud. They watch a slide show that demonstrates differences among students and how to communicate effectively in diverse...
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Spin Art
The best part about spin art is that is demonstrates the concept of centrifugal force. Explore the magical spin of gravity as you make colorful art. This lesson idea is short, very simple, and requires a spin art machine.
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Rube Goldberg
Students study Rube Goldberg machines. In this architecture lesson, students build a Rube Goldberg machine.
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Move It!
Students explore the notion that simple devices can help us move objects when an understanding of forces is applied. They apply the design process, make predictions, draw sketches, make a model and evaluate their solution.
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The Industrial Revolution and Women
Students learn about inventions of the Industrial Revolution and their impact on life. In this Industrial Revolution lesson, students look at how the Industrial Revolution changed the work experience from farms to factories. They tell...
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Farming 2: Packaging and Transport
Young scholars explore the special packaging and transport that many foods require to stay fresh during their journey from the farm to people's dinner tables.
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Starlight, Star Bright
First graders read books and use the Internet to identify several constellations and stars in the night sky. They make star pictures and write a class report about the night sky including a title, complete sentences and a cited reference.
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Picture a Business
Students create helpful books about local businesses to show what resources are available to their community.
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What Can You Make of It?
Students investigate the various uses of a paper cup. In this scientific inquiry instructional activity, students investigate various ways to use a paper cup by identifying its characteristics. Students sketch their discovery.
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Tessellations: An Application of Simple Regular Polygons
Tenth graders identify homogeneous tessellations. In this model-based lesson, 10th graders make and identify homogeneous tessellations, both regular and semi-regular.