Curated OER
Using Electricity
Students read The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch to become familiar with the way a lighthouse works.In this using electricity lesson, student create lighthouses with plasticine clay and a working circuit. Students complete a worksheet on...
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Sorting and Using Materials
Students explore materials and their properties. In this matter instructional activity, students identify objects and describe their properties. Students test and sort materials using an interactive whiteboard, followed by a group...
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Friction
Learners compare and contrast the movement of objects on different surfaces, experimenting with friction and forces of motion. This friction lesson has numerous online tools including worksheets and virtual activities; the option is also...
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How We See Things
Students investigate how mirrors reflect light. In this reflection lesson, students draw the path of the light reflected from a mirror. Students construct a list of objects that are light sources.
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Ecosystems and Remote Sensing
Students obtain remote sensing data to compare and contrast global biomass data with global temperature data.
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Gas exchange: Respiratory Systems
The need for a respiratory system in humans versus being reliant on gas exchange structures is demonstrated. There are many details about the advantages and disadvantages of each mechanism. Students are able to learn about the...
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Water's Edge Café
Students observe water birds feeding at a local wetland, record what they see, and construct an appropriate menu for a "Waterfowl Cafe." They also play a "flocking" game.
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Solid Waste and Recycling
Students demonstrate effects of waste on environment and ways of reducing it, observe how much packaging goes into bag lunches each day, and survey their families to assess awareness levels and household recycling practices. Lessons all...
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Hazards: First Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Examine the environmental hazards associated with volcanoes with a three-part science lesson. In the pre-lab, first graders learn that gas, landslides, ash, and lava are all hazards that come from volcanoes. They then explore hazardous...
Virginia Department of Education
Go with the Flow
How does nature's hierarchy relate to our local human environment? Answer this question, along with others, as the class visually depicts the natural hierarchy provided by nature. Pupils discuss each piece of the pyramid and its energy...
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Holy Habitats or Meet Metamorphosis
Students examine the metamorphosis of frogs and how it adapts to its environment. They research how world pollutants are effecting the amphibian population.
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Frog Metamorphosis
Students play 20 Questions with animal characteristics and then view an animation of how a tadpole changes into a frog. They consider the importance of camouflage to frogs and write out the story of a frog from tadpole to adult.
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Beaver Ecology
Learners explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...
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Why So Many Frogs?
Students explain the different stages in the growth of a frog, then analyze and collect data to make generalizations about a larger population. They determine the survival rate of a population of tadpoles under controlled conditions.
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Getting a Handle on Your Bee
Students observe dried bees, carefully glue them to toothpicks, and use them for cross pollinating their Brassica plants. They also describe reasons why two similar investigations can produce different results. Finally, students...
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Tundra Swan Fun Facts
Students read about the characteristics of tundra swan. In this tundra swan instructional activity, students understand the characteristics of the tundra swan and complete worksheets related to the tundra swan.
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Weather Tools
Learners explore Earth science by participating in a weather identification activity. In this scientific instrument lesson, students identify several weather related tools such as the weather vane, thermometer and rain gauge. Learners...
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Pysanky: Not Just a Pretty Egg
Young scholars examine the art of Pysanky. Using the Internet, they identify the cultural similarities and differences between the United States and the Ukraine. Using Pysanky's art, they discover the symbolism he used in his artwork and...
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Observing Pods
Middle schoolers observe the pistil growing into a tiny string bean-like seed pod. They then observe the development of the fertilized pods between Day 17 and Day 35 and record their observations by drawing and labeling, writing, and...
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Enrichment Activities - "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH"
Fifth graders read the novel "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." They discuss the various characters in the book, and the different types of conflict that take place within the book. They also research owls and rats to make comparisons...
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Living Organisms Digital Scavenger Hunt
Students photograph living organisms. In this plan for a field trip, students go to a local park or pond and photograph themselves with various living organisms on their scavenger hunt list. The photographs taken are compiled into a...
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Environmental Conditions: Friend or Foe
Students research and answer questions on how organisms are classified and how their needs are met through their environment. They work in small groups and create a poster, chart, rap, PowerPoint, or brochure demonstrating how organisms...
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Turtle Tales
Students watch videos and fill out worksheets about the turtles and their journey to the Costa Rican beach. In this turtles lesson plan, students learn and discuss survival, predator and prey, and stages of development.