Curated OER
Moving without Wheels
Students observe a simple water cycle model to better understand its role in pollutant transport. This activity shows one way in which pollution is affected by the water cycle; it simulates a point source of pollution in a lake and the...
Curated OER
Plants, Ecology, Seed Planting
First graders use senses to examine objective or events, then gather and interpret data with instruments. They design invention to support or refute hypothesis, then generate, record, and organize data. They improve environmental...
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Biomass: Biogas Generator
It's a gas. Middle schoolers build a biogas generator following the directions in this resource. After a few days of observation, they demonstrate that the gas given off by the decomposing manure is flammable. The activity concludes as...
Curated OER
The Cycle of Restoration
Students describe what is meant by restoration cycle. In groups, they create a poster to show the cycle of restoration work. After presenting their poster, they discuss the actions that can be done for each season. To end the lesson,...
Curated OER
Defining Drought
Students examine the hydrologic impacts of drought. They look at drought from a variety of prespectives. Students first focus on the scientific definition of drought, including weather patterns, water cycles, water requirements by plants...
Curated OER
Traveling Nitrogen
Young scholars demonstrate and understanding of the nitrogen cycle by taking roles and interacting with others in a simulation activity.
Curated OER
Sunflowers, The Circle of Life
Young scholars investigate and observe plants and animals in nature. They find out how life cycles are present in much of nature. Students use appropriate graphic organizers for information gathering. Young scholars use sequence life...
Curated OER
Water, Water, Everywhere and Always on the Move
Students create their own water cycle in a terrarium. In this water cycle lesson, students research the water cycle and complete a worksheet using the Internet. They create a water cycle of their own in a jar with stones, sand, soil, and...
Curated OER
Seed Diversity
Students explore agriculture by researching different seeds. In this seed identification activity, students collaborate in small groups to analyze a package of different seeds. Students utilize a magnifying glass to examine each seed...
Curated OER
Fabulous Fantastic Flowers!
Students study flowers and identify their major parts. In this flowers lesson plan, students research flowers, learn about their life cycle, label their major parts, and make tissue paper flowers.
Curated OER
From One Seed Grow Many Seeds
First graders practice identifying plants by singing a song. In this plant life lesson, 1st graders sing the song "Parts of a Plant" which is based on the anatomy of sunflowers. Students discover agriculture techniques while...
Curated OER
Forest Floor Terrarium
Young scholars study the aspects of a forest floor ecosystem, including decomposition, the water cycle, food webs, the needs of living things, and physical vs. chemical change over an extended period. In addition, students conduct...
Curated OER
How a Seed Grows and Who Grows It
First graders explore biology by viewing PowerPoint presentations in class. In this plant life instructional activity, 1st graders identify the life cycle of a plant and how to properly plant a seed outside. Students view a movie about...
Curated OER
How Much Carbon is Held by the World's Forests?
Seventh graders identify how much carbon is held by the world's forests. For this forestry lesson, 7th graders study the carbon cycle and discuss what role humans have had on climate change. Students write a one page paper on how...
Curated OER
Earth System Science
Students explore the Earth and its ability to support life. They discuss the geosphere and the water cycle and complete the Water Wonders activity. After completing the activity, they respond in their journals and reflect upon the...
Curated OER
Butterfly Introduction
First graders create a KWL chart about butterflies and then read a story about butterflies. In this butterflies lesson plan, 1st graders then discuss the life cycle, body, habits, and facts about butterflies as they read.
Curated OER
Little Red Hen
First graders explore biology by identifying plant anatomy in class. In this botany lesson, 1st graders read the book The Little Red Hen and identify the methods used in order to grow successful plants. Students discuss other ways people...
Curated OER
Weather, Climate and Atmospheric Process
Students explore Earth science by completing a could identification activity. In this weather instructional activity, students discuss the different forms of measurement for the weather of Earth. Students discuss global warming and...
Curated OER
Pumpkin Time
In these two lessons, science learners participate in various activities involving pumpkins. They investigate and research the life cycle of a pumpkin. They observe pumpkin growth and decomposition. Finally, they estimate and measure...
Curated OER
The Nitrogen Cycle
Students study the nitrogen cycle and construct a diagram. For this Earth Science lesson students use role play to see the various paths.
Curated OER
Biochemical Cycles: Recycling Carbon and Nitrogen
Students construct flow diagrams of the carbon and nitrogen cycle processes. They identify sequences in each cycle that are affected by human impact and present their research to the class.
Curated OER
Up From the Ground
First graders sequence the development of a plant. In this plant life lesson, 1st graders listen to a story about how a plant grows, students view a PowerPoint presentation and learn new vocabulary. Finally, students sequence the stages...
Curated OER
The Radish Experiment
First graders grow radishes. In this Science instructional activity, 1st graders observe the growth of radishes in both the light and dark. Students discuss what plants need to live.
Curated OER
Sun Seeking Plants
Students investigate the story "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle. This story is used to introduce the children to the concept that seeds change and grow into plants when conditions in the environment including temperature, light, water and...