Carolina K-12
Factors of Production and Economic Decision-Making
Class members begin this engaging economics activity by listing all the resources used in producing a car and using that example to draw parallels to the four primary factors of production: capital goods, labor, natural resources, and...
Curated OER
Human Evolution: Biology, Bones
Learners will love a weeks worth of bone study. They use bones and characteristics of bones to explore the evolution of hominoids. Bones are compared, categorized, and considered. A great way to bring physical anthropology and material...
Curated OER
Naturally Disastrous!
Students explore, research and examine the causes of natural disasters and how to survive them. They research on the internet world climate, recent disasters, how they happen, what to do if one occurs and what preventive measures to take...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Good Litter, Bad Litter
Which ones can be thrown on the ground? Discover the difference between natural litter and unhealthy trash, helping scholars by using several examples. Use the information here to give them a basic background, but also encourage prior...
Curated OER
Beauty: Patterns in Nature
Students explore the patterns of nature. In this interdisciplinary instructional activity, students examine beauty in nature and participate in a hands-on simulation that demonstrates how human preferences for beauty have led to an...
Curated OER
Little House In the Big Woods
Students explore economics by reading classic literature with their classmates. In this farm production lesson, students read the famous story Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Students complete handouts based upon...
Curated OER
Inside Outside: Habitats and Human Organ Systems
Students examine the way habitats and human organ systems function. In groups, they role play the role of a government group assigned to determine if a settlement can make their home in a specific area. They must discover how humans and...
Curated OER
Documents of Natural Rights: The Declaration of Independence and The Plan of Delano
Eighth graders analyze the philosophy of government in the Declaration of Independence. As a class, they discuss how this philosophy has caused other revolutions in history and how well it supports our natural rights. In groups, they...
Chymist
Landfills and Recycling
Examine the nature of landfills through experimentation. Scholars build miniature landfills and monitor changes over a six-week period. Observations allow individuals to draw conclusions about the different types of trash and their...
Curated OER
As Good As Gold
Students find examples of the Golden Ratio on the human body through measurement. Additionally, students learn about the use of the Golden Ratio and the Golden Rectangle in art and architecture. A very interesting lesson plan for the...
Wild BC
Is Climate Change Good for Us?
Is it really that big of a deal if the global climate undergoes a little change? Young environmentalists consider this very question as they discuss in small groups the impact of different climate change scenarios on their lives, their...
Curated OER
Good Old Earth Materials
Young scholars investigate different types of building structures and how they are able to stand up to earthquakes. Through comparison they determine which buildings are better able to handle earthquakes than others. They create a...
Curated OER
Breaking News: GM Cows to Produce Human Breast Milk
Learners explore current events by reading and analyzing an article in class. In this human diet instructional activity, students read an article about cows which are being genetically modified in order to produce human breast milk for...
Curated OER
Water Pollution
Fifth graders study the impact of human activity on water quality and on the ecosystems of Earth. After a discussion on the various ways that water can be polluted, groups of youngsters get together to figure out the best way to clean a...
Curated OER
Classifying Resources
Students discuss the difference between the three types of productive resources. In groups, they classify and organize examples into the correct category on a chart. As a class, they discuss how each type is used in the production of a...
Curated OER
Water Pollution
Here is a fine lesson for fifth graders that will give them an idea of the variety of impacts that human-introduced pollutants have on the environment. After an initial class discussion and teacher-led demonstration, pupils brainstorm...
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
A well-designed instructional activity on the life cycle of the butterfly is here for you. In it, young scientists spend 45 minutes a day, for one school week, engaged in their study. They take nature walks, participate in activities in...
Curated OER
Boom and Bust in the Ozark Forests
Here is a hard-hitting, cross-curricular activity on the effects that the deforestation of the Ozark forests in the 19th century had on the people, animals, and ecosystems of the area. The Dr. Seuss book The Lorax is used as a way of...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Silver and Bandages: Assessment of Inhibition of Bacteria by Silver Colloid-Impregnated Bandages
Silver: more than jewelry, it's also a natural antimicrobial agent. An inquiry-based lesson asks collaborative groups to design and implement an experiment to test this property. Using samples of silver nanoparticles and a strain of...
Curated OER
Raw Materials
Students participate in a nature hike and record the natural resources observed. They compare traditional and modern versions of everyday use items, and create graphic organizers that demonstrate the interconnectedness of resources.
Curated OER
Food Web
Students are able to define food web, and identify the interdependence of organisms within a system. They are able to describe how natural events and human activities can impact a food web.
Curated OER
Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?
Students compare wolves' behaviors to those of the human race. In this wolf lesson students write a story that will show that wolves are either good or evil.
Curated OER
Sexual Selection in the Animal Kingdom
Students research how sexual selection plays a role in driving evolution. They experiment how variation exists within not just obvious physical traits, but metabolically and behaviorally. They write a letter describing a problem, and a...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Built Environment (2) Pre Lab
Second graders review how our society affects nature. In this energy lesson, 2nd graders discuss the different ways that energy is collected. They review renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.