Students observe trees in their schoolyard and record the seasonal changes by drawing pictures. In this ongoing lesson, they discover the names of the seasons and place green paper leaves on a paper tree in the classroom, which are also...

Entropy, it isn't what it used to be. Presentation includes kinetic-molecular theory, heat and internal energy, thermal equilibrium, temperature scales, laws of thermodynamics, entropy, latent heat of fusion, specific heat, calorimetry,...

Here's a collection of unit plans for middle school musicians. Topics include the mbira, opera, rhythm and culture, music in Africa, music in the movies, music theory and notation, blues and jazz, and the ocarina. Definitely worth a look.

Students explore mass, volume, and weight. In this science and measurement lesson, students compare volume, mass, and weight after listening to the teacher's description of each. Students explore different scales and balances and...

In this student exploration-weight and mass worksheet, student use the Weight and Mass Gizmo to answer questions and fill in charts with estimating and measuring.

Students study the sliding and rolling friction.  In this forces lesson students divide into groups and use a cart to examine the amount of force that is used to move objects. 

Young scholars listen to a recording of "Sakura" and determine where it is from. In this global sound instructional activity, students view pictures of cherry blossoms and connect its significance to Japanese culture. Young scholars sing...

The principles behind pulleys, levers, and simple machines are the focus of a science lesson. In it, learners take part in a whole-class activity. There are two groups of pupils who each must lift objects with fixed pulleys and multiple...

Students use a balance and gram cubes to measure several different objects. They then record their results on a data chart and answer questions about them.

In this music worksheet, students learn how Chinese people use music in their festivals. Students read a paragraph explaining why Chinese music uses the pentatonic scale. Students locate 16 words pertaining to Chinese music in a word...

Students make their own maple sugar and learn about how it is made on a grander scale. In this maple sugar lesson, students make their own maple sugar and learn about evaporation and what labor is put into making it.

Learners watch a demonstration that introduces them to the idea that friction is a force that impedes motion when two surfaces are in contact. They work in groups to experiment with frictional force using a coffee cup on which they alter...

Learners map an actual local waterway. They create full color scale drawings that include windfalls, plant cover, streambed composition, and landmarks such as trees, boulders, and slumps. This is a long-term project that involves...

Youngsters are introduced to the basic principles and uses of the wheel and the axle. They come up with every day examples of simple machines and look into why the wheel and the axle are best-used as a paired machine instead of used...

For this inclined planes worksheet, students investigate the effort force needed to move a 1 kg weight up a ramp to different distances on the ramp. Students calculate the work input and output for each trial as well as the...

Get things moving with this extensive collection of physical science resources. Covering the fundamentals of measurement, graphing, lab safety, and experimental design as well as the specific scientific concepts...

In this mars and scaling instructional activity, students use the given image to determine the dimensions of the image and the size of specific details on the image. They calculate the image scale in meters in order to determine...

Learners observe the motion of both a pendulum and a spring pendulum . They then explain the differences and the similarities between the two types of motions.

Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...

Even though the student handouts are not included in the write-up, this lesson contains the instructions for terrific activities to use when teaching middle schoolers about metamorphic rocks. First, they compare granite to gneiss and...

Groups of students rotate through five classroom stations to estimate, measure, and record volume, length, weight, mass, and area using both customary and metric measure. They evaluate their data to determine how close their estimates...

Students compare and contrast the terms "weight" and "mass". In this physics lesson, students observe an experiment in which objects are placed on a balance scale and weighed under different circumstances. Partners drop items and observe...

What is mu? Emerging scientists explore the coefficient of sliding friction, or mu, and apply its concepts as they complete activities in the interesting lesson. They measure the sliding friction between soles of their own athletic shoes...

Marine biology apprentices interpret data of sturgeon interaction with gill nets. They use the data to calculate the percentage of fish entangled in each twine size to discover if there is any correlation. This is a valuable exercise in...