Curated OER
What is an Animal Group?
Students discover that people live in groups and animals live in groups or alone. They list ways that families cooperate and work together as a group. They create a large dinosaur made out of geometric shapes.
Curated OER
Field Trip to Living History Farms
Students tour "Living History Farms" in Iowa. In this field trip preparation lesson, students observe ways Native Americans began growing crops in the 1700's as well as how the farm changed in the 1800's. Upon their return from the trip,...
Curated OER
Where We Live
Students make a 'where we live' chart to find what's common and unique about where they live. In this living analysis lesson, students complete a chart about where they live.
Curated OER
Advertise Your Family
In this periodic table worksheet, students create an advertisement for a chemical group or family they are assigned. They need to include topics such as are the elements solids, liquids or gases at room temperature, the history of the...
Curated OER
Where, Oh Where is All the Clean Air?
Middle schoolers examine the history of air pollution dating back to the Roman Empire. In groups, they research the different types of pollutants in the air and how they can affect the environment. They participate in various...
Curated OER
Birth, Growth and Development
Learners discover that all living things have a life cycle in which they are born, reproduce and die. In groups, they examine and analyze the changes that happen during the lifespan of a human. To end the instructional activity, they...
Curated OER
Chemistry Review
In this chemistry review worksheet, students read about atoms and the periodic table and they complete a chart using the periodic table to find the atomic number, atomic mass and group of given elements. Students answer 5 questions about...
Curated OER
Classification and Binomial Nomenclature
Students practice identifying different groups of living organisms using a dichotomous key. Students also examine the history of an organism and its lineage by writing a paragraph about it and "three generations" of ancestors.
Curated OER
Viruses and Host Evolution
Young scholars research viruses and their effects on the evolution of a rabbit population. They complete a teacher created worksheet of questions on their research. They present their research to classmates.
Curated OER
If They Had Lived
Students explore the impact on society when a person dies prematurely from gun violence. They develop research and critical-thinking skills
Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE)
Arctic Smorgasbord
Though the walrus spends roughly one third of its time on land, it eats organisms that live on the bottom of the ocean. The first in a series of five, the lesson plan uses a variety of plant and animal cards to have scholars build an...
Curated OER
Simple Machines IV - Levers
The principles of levers and simple machines are presented here. An easy-to-make lever is constructed by each group of scientists, and they use it to explore how this simple machine makes heavy things so much easier to lift and move. A...
Curated OER
Poverty Point: A Louisiana Treasure
A well-done and informative presentation, this resource could be used to pique interest in Lousiana's history. This presentation about Poverty Point, a mound created by Native Americans, is a fascinating exploration of this topic. What...
The New York Times
Fiction or Nonfiction? Considering the Common Core's Emphasis on Informational Text
Nothing aids in comprehension more than an explanation and understanding of why things are done. Address why the Common Core requires the reading percentages that it established and analyze how this affects your readers. Learners read...
Curated OER
A Whale of Importance to the Arctic People
The bowhead whale of the Arctic region is of great importance to the people that live there. Your class will brainstorm all they know about this wonderful whale and create an informational video, which they will share with the children...
Curated OER
Abiotic and Biotic Factors
Learners examine abiotic and biotic factors. They define biotic and abiotic, categorize a list of items onto a Venn diagram, label various items from areas on the school grounds as biotic or abiotic, and diagram a magazine picture.
Curated OER
Becoming Part of the Community
Students read narratives by Peace Corps volunteers and examine how they succeeded in adapting to living in a new cultural environment. They identify attitudes and actions that promote having a positive experience in a foreign country.
Curated OER
Working on the Slant
Compare and contrast a major news story from various newspapers. How does the perspective change? Are certain things included in some of the stories and left out of others? Have pupils complete a graphic organizer to compare how...
Curated OER
Living in the Community
Students explore the differences between the four sectors of business. In this nonprofit business lesson, students give examples of needs met by businesses and the importance of the community nonprofit sector.
BBC
Ourselves
Young biologists identify parts of the body, sort humans from other animals, and list the difference they see. Learners are split up into groups of three, and each group must find pictures in magazines of humans and other animals. They...
Curated OER
Insects A-Z!
Alphabet insects! Who has ever heard of such a thing? Get ready because your class is going to research insects that start with a specific letter of the alphabet. In small groups, they'll use the Internet and reference texts to locate...
Cornell University
Classification
Explore the scientific method of classification. An interactive activity asks learners to create a classification system for a group of objects and develop a flow chart to communicate their systems. In addition, individuals use a...
Curated OER
Classification 1: Classification Scheme
Students examine how many kinds of living things can be sorted into groups in many ways using various features to decide which things belong to which group and that classification schemes vary with purpose.
Curated OER
Classification 2: A Touch of Class
Young scholars examine how many kinds of living things (e.g. plants and animals) can be sorted into groups in many ways using various features to decide which things belong to which group and that classification schemes vary with purpose.