Curated OER
Soda Straw Weaving
Students investigate the loom and weaving process. In this weaving lesson, students use soda straws to make a bracelet or a bookmark. Students use the over-under pattern of weaving.
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Create a Butterfly Mobile
Students construct a butterfly mobile. In this visual arts activity, students use rice paper, watercolors, a coat hanger, and wax paper to create a unique butterfly mobile. Students use photographs of butterflies to construct a realistic...
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Castles and Cornerstones
Students become familiar with the style of architecture of medieval times. In this architecture lesson, students design a model of a medieval castle including its cornerstone. Students understand scale in their representation.
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Goldfish Bowl
Students discover proper pet care by creating a home for a fish. In this pet responsibility instructional activity, students create a goldfish bowl by cutting a plastic jug in half and decorating it with markers and stickers. Students...
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How Long Does Trash Last
Students work in cooperative groups to estimate how long trash lasts in a landfill. They study environmental consequences of not recycling and use graph-making software to create a graph that illustrates the lifespan of trash items...
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Leprechaun Dust
Learners make "leprechaun dust" in this short art lesson plan using Jello instant pistachio pudding, small jars, milk, and spoons. Ideal for celebrating St. Patrick's Day with early-elementary students. Can be combined with the reading...
Education Outside
Natural Dye Tie-Dye
Up-cycle, or reprocess waste materials, into colorful tie-dye clothing or banners with an activity that uses fruits and vegetable juices as dye sources.
Newspaper Association of America
Cereal Bowl Science and Other Investigations with the Newspaper
What do cereal, fog, and space shuttles have to do with newspapers? A collection of science investigations encourage critical thinking using connections to the various parts of the newspaper. Activities range from building origami seed...
Sir Peter Blake Trust
Learn About Leadership
Sir Peter Blake was an award-winning New Zealand yachtsman who was killed by pirates in 2001. Scholars learn about his leadership qualities in a fun lesson that combines games, writing, and discussion. Pupils also reflect on ideas of...
Curated OER
Egg Carton Buggy Mobile
Craft paper, string, and clean egg cartons are used to create super cute bug mobiles. Included are instructions and images to assist you in guiding your class through the process of making these very cool mobiles. The project would be a...
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Art Studio
Students collaborate with their classmates to create a sculpture with the provided materials in order to cultivate fine motor and social skills. For this collaborative art lesson, students work in small groups to design the pedestal and...
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Pick It Up!
Students investigate recycling by creating receptacles that can hold trash or recyclable items. In this graphic design lesson, students encourage their classmates to help save the environment by using a recycling receptacle they have...
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Don't Forget the Three R's
Students encourage one another in recycling. In this environment and art lesson, students create a new recycling bin that would help people in remembering to recycle.
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"Eggs-hibit" Students' Egg-Carton Art
Students follow instructions and exercise creativity as they take an old egg carton and a few other easy-to-find art supplies and create "eggs-quisite" art! In addition, they recycle an every day egg carton into art.
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Aluminum Can Drive
Second graders complete a recycling project to clean-up their school. In this service project lesson, 2nd graders assess their campus for litter, set up a recycling project, clean up their campus, and recycle the trash. Students also...
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The Landfill Loafers Meet the Wise Buys
Fourth graders demonstrate an understanding of recyclable materials, what proper disposal of these items is and which waste materials can be recycled. Students engage in a simulation/role play that increases their understanding of...
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Edward Burtynsky's Ship Breaking
Seventh graders view Edward Burtynsky's artwork that represents ship breaking. They view images of recycling, the water cycle, rusted metal, and ships to determine factors that threaten the existence of a particular habitat of an...
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Fashion Forward, Fashion Functional
Students consider the implications of waste. For this waste streams lesson, students learn what waste streams are and identify their impact on the environment. Students also recycle waste materials to create functional objects.
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Packaging
In this environmental awareness lesson plan, students discuss packaging and the importance of using recycled materials in their packaging. Students bring in all sorts of items from home, and brainstorm ways that those items could have...
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Life Science- Useful Waste
Fourth graders explore the topic of waste and recycling. In this useful waste lesson, 4th graders classify objects and sort them into most usable and least usable categories. Students complete an activity sheet and have a discussion on...
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Taking Charge of our Earth and its Resources
Students identify natural resources, discuss conservation and protection of them, and identify how pollution is harmful to the environment. Seven lessons on one page.
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All Wrapped Up
Students explore packaging. In this cross-curriculum lesson, students bring in samples of food packaging and identify the packaging as natural or manufactured.
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Sojourner Model
Sixth graders explore the concept of Sojourner. In this visual arts lesson, student create a model of Sojourner using recyclable or "junk" materials. Students are encouraged to experiment and problem solve to find what works best.
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Waste Minimization and Protecting the Environment
Students study the amount of waste produced and its effects on the environment. They discuss food, money, and energy and how their waste effects others. They read a play to explore how waste is produced and create a collage of...