Curated OER
Sorting Rocks
Students develop a rock word web during a large group discussion. Using the categories generated during that discussion, they sort their rock samples accordingly.
Curated OER
Look At Those Leaves!
Students observe and sort tree leaves. In this earth science lesson, students observe the attributes of real leaves and measure leaves using Unifix cubes.
Curated OER
Classification Introduction
Students simulate classifying rocks using different colored skittles. In this earth science lesson, students create a Venn diagram according to their compiled information. They share this diagram in the class.
Curated OER
I Spy
Second graders investigate the properties and uses of rocks. They sort magazine pictures into the categories of living and nonliving, play a game of I Spy for objects made of rock, and make rubbings of the rock items for their Rock...
Curated OER
I Spy
Second graders play the game I Spy to help identify objects made from rock. They investigate the properties and uses of rocks and go on an I Spy search on the playground. They sort pictures according to living and nonliving objects.
Curated OER
Classification for Beginners
Learners explore the process of classification. In this rock classification lesson plan, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to follow the provided steps to classify rocks.
Curated OER
Look At What Nature Has Done!
Students examine how easy it is to break rock. They investigate weathering and erosion in a number of activities.
Curated OER
Birdseed Mining
Students explore the meaning of mining. In this Science/Math lesson, students engage in a small group activity to sort and calculate the value of seeds/beads. Additionally, they are made aware of environmental damages which will effect...
Curated OER
Human or Natural?
Young scholars explore nature by participating in a class lab activity. For this human vs. nature lesson, students examine a group of items in their classroom and discuss whether they were created naturally or have been altered or...
Curated OER
Everybody Needs a Rock
Students, after making quantitative and qualitative observations of their rocks, construct a Venn diagram or dichotomous key to classify their rocks.
Curated OER
Sorting and Using Materials
Students practice sorting and classifying objects. In groups, they choose a variety of materials and describe how each one looks and feels. They must agree on how to classify each object and share their groupings with the class. They...
BBC
Walking with Dinosaurs
Breath new life into your class's study of dinosaurs with this extensive collection of materials. Offering everything from a printable T-rex mask, word searches, and connect-the-dots activities to informational handouts, hands-on...
Illustrative Mathematics
Musical Preferences
If you like rap music, are you more likely to like rock music? Use statistical analysis to determine if there is a positive association between rap and rock in this particular sample. While the problem is relatively simple, the...
Curated OER
Volcanoes: Kindergarten Lesson Plans and Activities
In the pre-lab, kindergarteners mimic the movements of the eruption of a volcano and discover various volcanoes around the United States. Then, pupils sort different types of volcanic rocks in the lab before learning how volcanoes grow...
BBC
Sound and Hearing
First and second graders recognize that sound is generated in a variety of ways, and that it comes from many different sources. They explore tone and volume, realizing that there are different ways to describe sound. Some musical...
BBC
Ourselves
Young biologists identify parts of the body, sort humans from other animals, and list the difference they see. Learners are split up into groups of three, and each group must find pictures in magazines of humans and other animals. They...
Curated OER
Data Analysis and Probability: Graphing Candy with Excel
Collect and graph data using Microsoft Excel with your math class. They will make predictions about the number of each colored candy in a bag of M&M's, then sort, classify, count, and record the actual data before using Excel to...
Curated OER
Add and Subtract
Like the cubs in A Fair Bear to Share, your 2nd grade class will practice adding and subtracting double-digit numbers by grouping, regrouping, and sorting a collection of objects. This requires many resources, but it is well worth the...
Media Education Lab
Propaganda Techniques
In an age of fake news, alternative facts, and biased reporting, it is more important than ever that 21st century learners develop the critical-thinking skills necessary to recognize, analyze and resist the propaganda techniques used in...
Curated OER
An Activity to Introduce the Geoscience Perspective
Students examine various rock specimens assuming the viewpoints of various individuals--sculptor, landowner, preacher, etc. They study the rock, and then prepare a list of observations and questions. They summarize and share their...
Curated OER
Rocks and Minerals Composition Database
Fourth graders research a specific rock or mineral. They compile the facts into a database which students access for information.
NASA
Mystery Planet
What can one learn about a planet based on a small surface sample? Learners will explore artifacts from a mystery planet and see what they can determine about the planet based on the evidence in front of them.
Curated OER
What Is Clay?
This resource could come in handy the next time you feel like teaching about clay. Basic sculpting techniques, vocabulary, and history of clay are outlined in this informative resource. Use prior to teaching an art project involving...