Curated OER
Perception is Not Always Reality
Students view various types of illusions. Using one of the illusions, they try to determine how a scientist might explain them. They discover a t-illusion and use their own words to analyze them. In groups, they research a different...
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Crime Scene: The Case of the Missing Computer Chip
Students, in teams, attempt to solve a simulated crime scene.
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Keeping Warm?
Fifth graders explore conductors and heat loss in different materials. In this Physical Science lesson plan, 5th graders will be measuring the temperature drop of water in four containers. The class will then discuss what an insulator,...
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Fossils
Fifth graders create a fossil using an impression made with a shell pressed into clay and filled with plaster of Paris and a mold made out of dough and impressed with a shell. They also will receive a paragraph which contains four...
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Punnett Squares
Fifth graders examine how traits are passed to their offspring using Punnett Squares. They demonstrate how a Punnett Square works by physically moving around boxes taped on the floor, representing the different traits of chicks and...
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And Now, What to Plant?
Students build a bird sanctuary. In this service learning lesson, students explore the variety of plants that could be put into the garden and make the selection of best plants for the area.
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Preparing and Planting the Garden
Students prepare to build and plant a garden. In this service learning instructional activity, students take all the necessary steps to prepare a community garden for planting and reflect on the experience.
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Electrifying Electricity
Students explore the basics of electricity using common everyday items as well as demonstrate how parallel and series circuits can be used in electronics and electrical devices. They explore how common items in their world can be wired...
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Ring Around the Rosie
Students examine the concept of angular momentum and its correlation to mass, velocity, and radius. They listen to a teacher-led lecture, conduct an experiment with rotational inertia, angular momentum, and rotation speed by making...
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Ecotourism in National Parks and Wilderness
Students develop a plan for ecotourism after researching a nearby national park or wild area.
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Ladybugs
Third graders keep and report records of investigations and observations of ladybugs utilizing tools like journals, charts, graphs and computers. They discover and study the life cycle of ladybugs and complete a KWL chart about ladybugs.
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Co-evolution of Plants and Pollinators
Young scholars explore biological evolution and natural selection and its evolutionary consequences. They also explore how organisms are interdependent on one another.
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Landfills: A Solid Waste Management Plan
Middle schoolers are able to list the types of household waste that they produce daily. They are able to describe some other types of waste that are produced by industry or agriculture to help maintain their lifestyles. Students are...
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Exploring an Atlas
Students explore global geography by participating in an atlas activity. In this countries of the world lesson plan, students collaborate in small groups and analyze an atlas while researching continents, countries and demographics....
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Native Species Restoration and its Impact on Local Populations
Learners explore how predators help control the growth of prey species for a more balanced ecosystem.
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The Formation and Value of Temperate Grasslands
Students get an overview of the climate and organisms of the North American Prairie. After a lecture, and watching some videos imbedded in this plan, students compile research data on the North American Prairie.
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Mammals: Mammals and Their Ways
Students study the difference between innate and learned behaviors. They observe the adaptations and behaviors of mammals in this series of lessons.
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Alien Invaders: An Invasive Species Game
Students are introduced to invasive species and how they affect the ecosystems they now occur in. They explore the basic life histories of several invasive species that are of regional and or national importance. Pupils investigate how...
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Archaeological Inquiry
Students describe what they see as they observe an "artifact". They draw conclusions based on the information gathered to identify what the artifact might be used for and determine how old it might be.
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Flowers and Plants
Students are assigned to bring five flowers. They explore flowers to distinguish different physical features of flowers. They compare and contrast different flowers to determine what features they have in common. Students develop an...
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Water Resources Engineering
Students illustrate the chemical differences between surface and tap-water. They investigate the common chemical and physical parameters relevant for water quality and gain hands on experience with water quality testing.
They enhance...
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Electricity and Magnetism: Ben Franklin and His Influence
Fourth graders explore electricity by examining the life of Benjamin Franklin. In this biographical lesson, 4th graders listen to the teacher read facts of Benjamin Franklin's life and analyze his contributions to our current society. ...
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Rain Forest Research
Second graders explore the Rain Forest. In this research lesson, 2nd graders go online to gather information about Rain Forest animals. Students print and use the information to write about the many parts of the Rain Forest. Students are...
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Binary and Communication Systems
Learners participate in an activity that introduces them to the concept of binary coding as a language. They decode messages using special boards that has its own code for different letters. They create new codes by rearranging wires...