Lesson Plan
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Mystery Box

For Teachers K
Students predict what mystery objects are based on how they feel. In this sense of touch lesson plan, students reach inside a box and make a guess about the object inside. Once students record their predictions, the objects are revealed....
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M & M Madness

For Teachers K
Students work with the mathematics unit of collection, organization, and presentation of data. In this math and technology lesson plan, students use Valentine M & M’s and The Graph Club to sort and graph the various colored M & M’s.
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Touch and Discover

For Teachers K - 4th
Students identify the physical properties of items using the sense of touch. In this touch and discover lesson, students describe items.  Students sort items using a Venn diagram.
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Biodiversity

For Teachers K
Students investigate the diversity of temperate forests and tropical rainforests. They catch and observe local insects, sort leaves and insects on a chart, listen to the book "A Walk in the Rainforest," and create a class bar graph that...
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Potato chip Classification

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners create a dichotomous key using potato chips. In this classification lesson, students sort potato chips into groups based on observable characteristics. They record their results to create a dichotomous key in preparation for...
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Categorization

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders participate in a teacher led bead sorting activity in which they describe different ways the beads can be grouped. Next, they participate in activities in which they sort and resort themselves into groups according to...
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Button Bonanza

For Teachers 1st
First graders sort, classify, and write about how they sort buttons.
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Variation

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners practice sorting living things into groups using their characteristics. Using pictures of leaves and animals, they sort them based on their color and shape and write the objects characteristics under the picture. They share...
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Gingerbread Genius

For Teachers K
Pupils sort gingerbread men, then identify the sorting rule that they used.
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Introduce Solids

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils identify and interpret a variety of solid materials - cloth, wood, metal, plastic, paper, and rubber. After a period of free exploration, they then describe the properties of the objects and develop vocabulary in order to...
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Shape Detectives

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students become "shape detectives" as they identify, name, create and describe common shapes within pictures and objects found within the learning environment. Suggestions include incorporating shapes into all learning areas and daily...
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Patterning

For Teachers K
Students sort collection of objects by various characteristics, explore and create patterns using objects, and reproduce and extend patterns with objects.
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Magnetic Discovery Bottle

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data.  In this magnet lesson plan students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets. 
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Three States of Matter

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore the three states of matter. In this matter lesson plan, students are shown a variety of examples and decide whether it is a liquid, solid or gas. Students brainstorm what characteristics the objects in each group share.
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Magnifiers

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students describe how several different objects magnify a provided sentence and decide if they are good magnifiers or not. They then write a sentence describing two properties an object must have in order to be a good magnifier.
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Branching Art From Nature

For Teachers Pre-K - 5th
Students construct an art piece from nature. In this visual art instructional activity, students use objects from the environment (petals, leaves, and stones) to create a unique art piece.
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Elements of Design

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define basic design vocabulary. They examine fabrics and sort into similar piles, design a picture of a beautiful room and label each art element in the design. They read an article from an interior design magazine and summarize...
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Classification and Attributes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners classify objects based on their attributes. They explain how archaeologists use classification to help answer research questions.
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Tree Identification to Observe Diversity of a Given Nature Area

For Teachers 2nd
In this tree identification lesson plan, 2nd graders read A Tree is Growing, discuss what makes up a forest, brainstorm characteristics of leaves, gather samples of leaves and examine their samples. Students will sort leaves and compare...
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Mystery Box

For Teachers K
Students use their sense of touch to describe an object in the mystery box. In this mystery box lesson, students use linguistic abilities to describe the object. Students give as much detail as they can as to what they feel that object...
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Sink or Float?

For Teachers K
Students examine how weight and balance can effect if an item sinks or floats. They listen to the book "Who Sank the Boat?" by Pamela Allen, and discuss how the smallest animal sank the boat. Students then conduct an experiment in...
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Liquids in Bottles

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate different liquids to develop their concept of a liquid. They work at a center to tip, swirl, shake, roll, and otherwise investigate seven liquids in small, clear plastic bottles: plain water, corn syrup, liquid...
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States of Matter

For Teachers 1st
First graders break into groups of five students and are given 15 different objects and 3 posters. They group the objects into 3 different families with all the objects in each category placed on one of the posters. They choose whatever...
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Measurement

For Teachers 1st
First graders participate in various activities dealing with measurement, length, volume, and temperature. They identify the need for standard units of measure, sort and classify objects, measure distances, and use a thermometer.