Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Guided Leech Activity and Record Keeping in a Science Notebook
Students observe leeches, develop questions about them, and decide as a class which question to investigate further as an inquiry activity.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Sound: A Lesson in Length and Pitch
In this classroom guided inquiry instructional activity, students will rotate through five stations of various sound instruments to look at how length affects pitch. The five sound stations include: straw flutes, xylophone, water phone,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Trees
In this investigation, students will record an observation (drawing) of a tree in their science notebook. Following the observation, students will discuss what they observed and a list will be created by the classroom teacher. Based on...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Leaf Walk: Observing and Investigating Leaves
Using trees around school, students will collect and observe leaves so they can compare them in their science notebook.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating the Water Cycle: Evaporation
In this water cycle activity, students investigate the evaporation process by participating in an outdoor evaporation experiment held on the school grounds. Students will determine where evaporation takes place the fastest and how nature...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Properties of Waves
In this direct instruction lesson plan, students draw sketches in their science notebooks in order to make sense of wave properties. Resources include a slideshow presentation on the properties of waves and multiple examples of student...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Simple Plants
Students will gather moss from the schoolyard, and observe it carefully, documenting their observations in their science notebooks. They will develop an investigable question from their observations, design and run an investigation on...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to Human Tissues: How Are Tissues Classified?
In this investigation, young scholars will observe slides of unknown tissues and then draw their observations in a science notebook. They will then work in groups to reach a consensus as to the classification of tissues. This lesson is...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Rocks
In this classroom guided inquiry lesson, students will become geologists. They will investigate rocks and the properties we can use to describe them. Students will observe, record, and reflect on their findings. They will record their...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Water Retention No Problem With the Key Investigation
Students go outside to a nearby pond or wet area, and collect vertebrates and invertebrates. These are identified using a classification key. Information is recorded using a digital camera and a science notebook. Students later prepare a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: How Do Living Things Change With the Seasons?
Through inquiry, students compare how different kinds of fabrics keep objects warmer or colder. Upon completion students will infer and record in their science notebook which fabric would be good to wear in cold weather, and why.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Joints: Naming and Identifying Joints in the Human Body
In this investigation, students will study joints by comparing mechanical devices to living joint movement to understand how different kinds of joints work. Students will also determine where these joints are located in the body....
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Printable Lesson: Litterbug Clean Up!
In this printable lesson, children will learn about the environment by going outdoors and picking up litter. Use this printable lesson, video clips, science notebook pages, and support materials from the PBS KIDS show Elinor Wonders Why...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Rock Identification and Usage
In this activity, students explore rocks using their five senses. They sort them into groups, learn about landforms, and learn how rocks are used by humans. Their discoveries are recorded in their science notebooks.