From Leaf to Soil

It's time to roll up those sleeves and get a little dirty in the second lesson of this series on the science of food. Investigate where plants and animals get the minerals they need to live in this two-part exploration of soil. First,...

Celebrate the beautiful colors of fall with this fun series of activities. After a nature walk to observe all the different colors and types of leaves, pupils head back into the classroom to complete a short poem and paint the included...

In this age of globalization, the foods we eat often come from countries scattered all around the world. This research-based lesson asks young scholars to pick two of their favorite food items and investigate the origins of their...

As part of a study of soil and composting, fourth graders become worm farmers, build a vermiculture bin, observe, and care for their red worms.

What type of soil holds in moisture the best? Find out with a guided-inquiry based lesson in which scholars investigate three types of soil—sand, clay, and silt—and the ability of each to retain waiter for plant growth. Learners graph...

Long life or a fast life cycle? Class members each gather a leaf, observe its characteristics such as texture, surface, scent, design, shading, and size and then discuss the adaptations made for survival as well as what the leaf reveals...

Young scientists conduct a series of experiments to determine what type of soils produce the best results in roof-top gardens.

Groups of three scientists from the rocky planet Zog investigate the composition of soil so that they can take the information back to their home, create soil there, and begin to grow food.

Young scientists explore the dark, damp, and dirty world of earthworms in this hands-on life science unit. In order to gain a better understanding of these slimy critters, children first perform a series of investigations before finally...

Boost observational skills and get to know the difference between deciduous, coniferous, and evergreen trees with a lesson that challenges scholars to compare, contrast, identify, sort, and draw their findings.