Berkshire Museum
The Three Life-Giving Sisters: Plant Cultivation and Mohican Innovation
Children gain first-hand experience with Native American agriculture while investigating the life cycle of plants with this engaging experiment. Focusing on what the natives called the Three Sisters - corn, beans, and squash - young...
University of Minnesota
Mirroring Emotions
Do you ever give your class the "teacher look"? Without saying a word, they become silent and engaged (hopefully). How do they know what you're thinking? Explore the concept of nonverbal communication and how it relates to our mirror...
Curated OER
Where it Grows
First graders identify the commodities of Oregon and produce a map of the different commodities in different regions.
Little Bins for Little Hands
St. Patrick's Day Challenge Cards
Nineteen cards offer an assortment of St. Patrick's Day-themed STEM activities. Scholars choose from a variety of cards to take part in activities such as building coin towers, growing green carnations, tying a celtic knot, and more!
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Holiday Tradition: Which Christmas Tree Will You Choose?
Different varieties of Christmas trees provide an interesting way to combine social studies, science, math, and technology. Class members not only research the history of the Christmas tree holiday tradition, they compare and contrast...
Curated OER
The Poinsettia: Native Mexican Plant vs. U.S. Christmas
Students compare and contrast native Mexican poinsettia plants to those marketed in the United States. They watch a PowerPoint presentation, and listen to a version of the legend of the poinsettia. Students then create a paper pinwheel...
Curated OER
World Climate Growing Zones
Young scholars create a map showing where crops would be grown around the world. In this crops lesson plan, students show how the world climate would produce different parts of the world at different times. Young scholars fill out...
Curated OER
Growing Money
Students establish a garden business. In this building a business lesson plan, students investigate how to create and build a business. Students build a business of selling plants and become entrepreneurs.
Curated OER
What a Garden Can Teach Us
Third graders read "Seedfolks" and "What a Garden Can Teach Us" and discuss how a garden is like a community. They create a class quilt illustrating how their classroom community the lines of the poem.
Curated OER
Teacher-Astronaut Offers New Lessons
Learners read about teacher-in-space Barbara Morgan and life in space. In this space science and current event lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a vocabulary activity, then students read the news piece and participate in a...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Make a Difference!
We are very dependent upon other life forms around us to survive. Here, scholars explore relationships in the ecosystem with the help of Auntie Litter and the pollution patrol. They imagine a world without grass, making connections to...
Curated OER
Farmers and the Food Connection
Learners investigate the process of growing food. In this agricultural activity, students invite a farmer into their classroom to discuss how they grow and process food. Learners participate in learning centers which focus on farming.
Curated OER
The Three Sisters
Third graders explore companion planting. In this lesson, 3rd graders listen to the Native American story The Three Sisters about crop planting. Students determine the important roles within companion planting.
Curated OER
Plant a Seed of Kindness
Students perform acts of kindness. In this character lesson, students cut out seed shapes and write down their acts of kindness on them. Students place the seeds on a bulletin board where they "plant" them below the grass line.
Curated OER
The Mysterious Plant Caper
Students investigate the basic parts of plant and that plants are living things which require water, air, light and nutrients for survival. They do this through a series of scientific experiements and multi-curricular hands-on activities.
Curated OER
The Peanut Wizard
Students investigate the history of the peanut. In this social studies lesson, students read the book A Pocket Full of Goobers and examine the a peanut. Students discuss the peanut's characteristics and take notes on an article about...
Curated OER
Food's Altered Ego
Students write in their journals where they believe food comes from. After reading an article, they examine the proceses of cultivation and sale of genetically modified foods. Using the internet, they research specific countries and...
Creative Educator
Design a Rainforest Postcard
Send your class on an expedition through the rainforest! Along the way, they will write informational postcards to demonstrate what they've learned. Each team will be responsible for one of five rainforest regions. When they return from...
Curated OER
Aztec Floating Gardens
Aztecs created amazing hydroponic gardens called Chinampas, to grow their crops. Learners in grades k-7 engage in four mini-experiments to understand just how amazing floating gardens are. Tip: A perfect way to bring science into your...
Curated OER
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Learners identify the African Plains and the plants and animals that are found on the plain, which are of a benefit to humans. They listen to the story and actively participate in a choral reading of Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain.
Curated OER
Understanding Fair Trade
Students write a ballad from a farmer's point of view on trade. In this farmer's lesson plan, students listen to a farmer speak about fair trade, have a dialogue about it, and write a ballad to interpret their point of view.
Curated OER
Note-Taking Handout 1: Sahara Desert
In this research skills activity, students collect information about the desert regions, savanna regions, and rainforest regions of Africa and then respond to 7 questions about each of the regions. Students then compare the regions using...
Curated OER
Cavern Geology: Speleothem Construction
Young scholars discover how underground rock formations grow. They perform various activities based on grade level.
Curated OER
Making Paper
Pupils make paper from recycled paper. The student estimates, counts, and measures he amount of paper consumed in a classroom daily. They discover that if we use too much paper, it fills up landfills. Some activities they are doing...