Virginia Department of Education
Atomic Structure: Periodic Table
The fifth lesson of seven in the series outlines an in-depth analysis of the periodic table. After direct instruction, pupils take turns practicing in the group before beginning independent study. The assessments include a quiz and an...
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Be a Scientist: A Kindergarten Unit
Students conduct observations using their five senses. In this science lesson plan, students describe different states of matter. They investigate the factors affecting mold growth.
Ohio Department of Education
Observe Then Infer
Upper elementary scientists learn that observations made can lead to inferences. They rotate through six weather-related stations that challenge them to make observations and then draw inferences from their observations. A...
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Introducing the Use of Dichotomous Keys to Students
Students are introduced to the use of dichotomous keys as a simple means of beginning scientific observations in nature. They comprehend how to use a dichotomous key. Students distinguish characteristics of a group of organisms. They...
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Making Hail
Fourth graders investigate the different types of precipitation and conduct a hail experiment. They identify the types of precipitation during a slideshow, and define key vocabulary terms. Next, in small groups they follow the...
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Applied Science-Science and Math Lab
Young scholars explore magnification. In this scientific observation skills lesson, students observe sea life items and draw pictures of what they observe. Young scholars predict which lens will have the strongest magnification when...
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Observation Challenge
Fourth graders, in groups, use observation skills at 12 stations and describe what they see.
Curated OER
Rotting Fruit Observations
For this rotting fruit worksheet, students draw a diagram showing the changes in their piece of rotting fruit. They identify new observations that were not present during their last observation.
Nuffield Foundation
Biodiversity in Your Backyard!
Take your enthusiastic ecologists outdoors to explore the biodiversity right in their own schoolyard! In preparing for this activity, it may be worthwhile to research websites with local flora to help in the plant identification portion.
Curated OER
Indirect Observation
Students observe obscertainers through indirect observations and make hypotheses about the internal wall structures of the containers. In this indirect observation lesson plan, students make observations of 4 obscertainers with a steel...
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Garbage in the Garden
Students create their own compost. In this soil lesson, students fill a bag with waste and soil, in order to create a mini compost bin. Students observe the baggies over a 6 week period, they record their findings and collect data on...
Curated OER
My Tree Observations
In this tree observation worksheet, students pick a tree that they observe over the course of a school year. They make observations, they sketch the tree, they take photographs of the tree, they get a leaf sample. They estimate the tree...
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Sky Observation Project
In this sky observation activity, students make observations of the night sky and use their planisphere and star charts to help identify what they observe. They make observations and record what they see for 10-15 minutes. They draw a...
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Archaeology
Students compare and contrast the role of scientists with that of archaeologists. They also describe the roles of observations and evidence in science.
Curated OER
What Makes Up a Healthy Watershed
Students, after observing the elements of a local watershed, explore the need to protect watersheds as water resources for the future. They examine the factors involved with a watershed: geology, ecology, and the effect of man's...
Curated OER
Growing A Coral Skeleton
Learners research the growth of coral. In this coral polyps lesson, students simulate the growth of coral by using available materials to grow crystals. Learners record observations in a scientific journal.
Curated OER
Our Desert Backyard
Students make observations of their own backyard. In this environment lesson, students keep records of the plants and animals they see in their home or school yard. Students make notes of how the weather and environment changes over...
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Indoor Gardening
Students determine how a plant grows best. In this botany lesson, students observe variables that affect plant growth. Students explore how to grow and maintain a plant. Students make observations of their plant as it grows.
Curated OER
Garden In a Glove
Students investigate the concept of seeds and how they can germinate. They obtain seeds and isolate them in a rubber glove before transplanting them into the ground. The lesson includes a graphic organizer for observations or information.
Curated OER
Magic Tube Lab
In this scientific investigation learning exercise, students use "magic tubes" to make observations, hypothesize, study variables in experiments, write procedures, and draw conclusions.
Curated OER
Using the Synoptic Code for the Prediction of Water
Students construct a thermoscreen for the experiment. In this earth science instructional activity, students make observations and interpret them using synoptic codes. They predict the weather based on gathered information.
Curated OER
Moon Journal
In this astronomy worksheet, students draw the shape of the moon as it appears in the sky each night for three weeks. With their drawings they include the moon phase and any unusual characteristics they observe.
Curated OER
My Life As An Insect In Namib
Students examine the harsh living environment of the Namib Desert. They watch and discuss a video, record the types of insects observed in the video, record information about insects and animal adaptations in their science journals, and...
Curated OER
Mad Science Lab: Original Lesson Plan
Students conduct a number of simple experiments, collect and categorize the results as either chemical or physical change. The lesson plan uses connections to folklore, science fiction and comic books to assist each student as they make...