Curated OER
Smile...you're on Insect Camera!
Students study insects. They go on an outdoor insect outing and look for insects in a variety of places--in the air, under rocks, on leaves, in water, etc. They record information about the insects they find, including habitat, weather...
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Wonder Underground
Students classify and record objects they find "underground." In this observation lesson, students dig into bins filled with soil and encounter various objects such as bark, twigs, etc. Students classify their findings.
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Use Your Nose
Students explore how their senses work. In this senses lesson, students use the sense of smell to observe various spices. Students discuss their findings.
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Photo Scavenger Hunt
Students celebrate Earth Day by applying what they've learned about studying the natural world. In this Photo Scavenger Hunt lesson plan, students use a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery and to help them understand the...
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Look at those Leaves!
Students observe leaves for patterns and similarities. In this science instructional activity, students sort through a pile of leaves to find patterns and take measurements. Students make leaf rubbings to view the details of the leaves.
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Wonderful World of Dinosaurs
Second graders obtain information about the characteristics of diet, locomotion, behavior, habitat, and anatomy of five dinosaurs by observing the Wonderful World of Dinosaurs HyperStudio presentation. They complete a student worksheet.
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The Scientific Method
In this scientific method learning exercise, students complete a crossword puzzle given 21 clues about the steps of the scientific method. Topics include observations, hypotheses, variables, inferences, results and conclusions.
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Monk Seal Research Expedition
Students study data. In this seal research lesson, students act as scientific researchers observing Monk seals in their habitat. They work in small groups to record data from a video and when through they share a piece of information...
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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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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.
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Particulate Matter
Seventh graders examine the different types of pollutants. In this environmental science lesson, 7th graders observe particulate matter under a microscope. They explain how these can affect once health when breathed in large quantities...
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Indianapolis 500 Unit-Science
Fourth graders access prior knowledge of simple machines to build a car. In this car design lesson, 4th graders create and race their cars. Students evaluate what was good and bad about their designs. Each car will incorporate a simple...
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Water: Our Most Important Beverage
Third graders create a KWL chart about water. In this environmental science instructional activity, 3rd graders demonstrate how much water on Earth is usable. They act out the different stages of the water cycle.
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Into the Fifties: Understanding the Context of Film Genres in the Fifties
Learners discuss prior knowledge of American culture during the 1950's. They complete KWL charts, participate in class discussions and view the documentary film Atomic Café. They record their observations from the film.
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Studying Photosynthesis
In this photosynthesis worksheet, students conduct an experiment to show the making of starch in a plant's leaves during photosynthesis. Students complete 2 short answer questions.
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The Disappearing Kelp Forest
Learners observe the effect "El Nino" left on kelp plants and sea urchins. They analyze the data collected by researchers, by graphing it on a TI calculator. Before graphing and analyzing the data, you may want to revisit the events of...
Curated OER
Coal Flowers
Let's make coal flowers! With this fun activity, young learners watch and learn as they grow crystals! With simple household materials and the instructions included in this lesson plan, your class can grow their own crystals. Learners...
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Outdoor Activities: Taking Science Outside
Students participate in various outdoor science activities to enhance their observation, classification, and analysis skills. In this outdoor lesson, students begin by observing a tree from a straightforward angle, then from the...
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Nature Notes
Students spend some time outdoors and record their observations of abiotic conditions, geologic surroundings and living organisms. They reflect and write about the experience of being observant in nature.
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Observing Apples - Skill Lesson
First graders listen to a story about Johnny Appleseed read by their teacher. They discuss his life as a class and describe what they see when a cut apple is before them. They draw a picture of what they see and write three adjectives...
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Science: Identifying Properties of Matter
Young scholars observe a demonstration of the the three forms of matter - air, water, and solids - in plastic bags. After discussing the properties, they transfer them to a Venn diagram. Finally, students identify five items in the...
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Science: Evolution and Natural Selection
Students watch a clip from the film, Jurassic Park, as an introduction to analysis and discussion of the evolutionary history of dinosaurs. As an exercise in evolution, students in groups, draw dinosaur pictures based on the previous...
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Ecosystem Study
Students collect an ecosystem in a jar from a local pond and record what happens in the ecosystem. In this ecosystem lesson plan, students observe the food chains and human impact that occurs in ecosystems. Students also take readings at...
Dr. Seuss Enterprises
Read Across America
Celebrate the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss on Read Across America Day with a collection of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics activities, each linked to a popular Dr. Seuss story.