Curated OER
Object Sorting
First graders follow directions when sorting objects. They illustrate how objects are categorized by drawing at least two of the categories that they sorted the objects into. Students work in small groups at completing the task of...
Curated OER
Pen and Ink Drawing
Learners hone their drawing techniques to create a nature-inspired piece of art. They practice hatching, cross hatching, stippling, and shading. They discuss how each method is better suited for creating specific elements in nature such...
Curated OER
Wright Again: 100 Years of Flight
Aspiring aeronautical engineers demonstrate different forces as they construct and test paper airplanes. This lesson plan links you to a website that models the most effective paper airplane design, an animation describing the forces...
Virginia Department of Education
States and Forms of Energy
Energy is just energy, right? Explain various forms of energy to your young scientists by using an interactive experiment that contains common objects to demonstrate complex concepts. Pupils conduct experiments for radiant, thermal,...
Curated OER
Types of Things
Students explore the differences between man-made and natural objects. In this instructional activity designed to compare properties of objects, students differentiate between natural and man-made objects and complete an activity...
Curated OER
Applied Science: Exploring Shapes in Nature
Explore geometry with your young mathematicians! First, have them color in different two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. Then take them on a walk around the classroom. Can they identify different shapes using the target...
Curated OER
Germs and Your Body
Students study germs and ways your body fights against disease. In this germs lesson students complete an activity that demonstrates where germs can get into your body.
Curated OER
Space Weight, Gravity, and Distance
In this planets in space worksheet, students calculate their weight on the 9 planets plus calculate the distance of the planets from the sun in astronomical units. This worksheet has 6 fill in the blank and 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Tree Identification to Observe Diversity of a Given Nature Area
In this tree identification activity, 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...
Virginia Department of Education
Average Atomic Masses
Facilitate learning by using small objects to teach the principles of atomic mass in your science class. Pupils determine the average mass of varying beans as they perform a series of competitive experiments. They gather data and...
Curated OER
Sampling Rocks
Here is a geology lesson which invites learners to explore a variety of rocks. They find rocks in the schoolyard and classify them according to size, color, and weight, then read the book Everybody Needs a Rock. Good lesson!
Curated OER
Wig-wag Physics
Students make observations on the effects of a small, medium and large weight on the movement of a wig-wag apparatus. They use their observations to develop a generalized inference of the effect weight on movement patterns.
Curated OER
The Classroom Desk Graph
Second graders discuss appropriate units of measure to use when weighing the contents of their desks. They use a scale to weigh different items from their desks. They write down weight in pounds and graph the results using an online...
Curated OER
Sorting and Classifying with Tree Products
Fourth graders sort and classify wood. In this sorting tree products instructional activity, 4th graders sort and classify tree parts and pieces of wood, both natural and manufactured according to their properties.
Curated OER
Introduce Solids
Students 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...
Curated OER
A World of Symmetry
Students identify lines of symmetry. In this symmetry lesson, students create objects and identify their lines of symmetry. They answer questions about lines of symmetry. Students cut shapes out of cookie dough and decorate it to...
Urbana School District
Forces
Is your class struggling with Newton's Second Law? Then show them a presentation that covers everything physics scholars need to know about forces. Starting with gravity, the slides focus on Newton's Laws of Motion, and end with an...
Curated OER
The Way Levers Work
Fifth graders discover the rules by which the lever slants and balances. They determine that there are a great many tools that employ the lever principle even in their ordinary environments. They consider how to use objects easily...
Curated OER
Compost in a Bag!
Fourth graders experiment to see which objects decompose. In this compost lesson, 4th graders observe the changes of labeled objects in a bag. Leave the objects for one month and record the changes by observation and weight. Students...
Curated OER
Let it Roll!
Young scholars explore how various ramps affect the rate of speed of a rolling object. In this physics lesson, students work in groups to build a ramp out of various materials. Young scholars test and record the rate of speed of a...
Curated OER
Fun With Adhesives
Students observe, measure, and record the properties in making objects stick together using science tools. In this science lesson plan, students explore with their senses while mixing flour and water. Additionally, students share their...
Dick Blick Art Materials
Very, Very Simple Decorative Papers
Combine art and science with an activity that has kids gathering items from their environment to include in the decorative paper they create.
Teach Engineering
Machines and Tools (Part 2)
Which pulley system will give us a whale of a good time? Teams compare the theoretical and actual mechanical advantages of different pulley systems. They then form a recommendation for how to move a whale from an aquarium back to the ocean.
Curated OER
Rocks Up!
Students will design and build a structure to support a rock. Students will use their knowledge of movement of objects to determine the proper base to be built to support their rock. Students will explore their natural area for...