Planet e-Book
1984
An eBook edition of 1984 is now available for classroom use. George Orwell's famous dystopian novel is downloadable for free for individual computers, tablets, or phones.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Development Balances Cell Growth and Death
Cells demonstrate a life cycle like other living things, but what if death was no longer part of the cycle? Learn about the important balance requiring death to continue functioning. An online interactive introduces a group of scientists...
Minnesota Department of Natural Resoures
Parts of a Tree
Discover the parts of a tree and so much more with a packet of activities covering a range of subjects. First graders label practice pages, test their measuring and addition skills, explore books, dance, build 3-D trees, play games, give...
International Technology Education Association
Singin' the Black and Blues
How does the color of the sky change from blue to reds and oranges to black? An illuminating lesson explains how light travels through different mediums using the sun's light as an example. By examining diagrams and illustrations, pupils...
Curated OER
Calling All Owls
Students research various types of owls. For this owls lesson, students observe owls and discuss their characteristics. Students go to an owl habitat and listen for the call of an owl. Students read The Owl in the Shower and debate the...
Curated OER
Recycled Vegetable Oil Powers Vans, Cars
Students share their knowledge about fuel sources, then read a news article about vegetable oil as a cleaner alternative to gasoline. In this current events and environmental science lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Curated OER
Our Forests Need Fires?
Young scholars consider how forest fires are both damaging and beneficial to forests. In this earth science lesson, students are read the book Fire! In Yellowstone by Robert Ekey and watch "Fire Ecology" and "Two Sides of Fire" before...
Curated OER
Pulleys and Levers
Fifth graders explore the concept of pulleys and levers. They read and discuss text from the book "It's Science! Machines We Use," and in small groups construct a simple lever and pulley using a Lego Dacta set.
Curated OER
How Does a Butterfly Grow?
Young scholars explore the stages of a butterfly. They read and discuss the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. They draw a picture of their favorite part and create a graph. They write a letter to Eric Carle and observe...
Curated OER
It's Mine Lesson Plan
Students read a book called It's Mine! In this lesson about three frogs and sharing, students explore how what they do affects everything around them. Through a series of seven different activities, students interpret the frogs and their...
Curated OER
Farmers Use Falcons to Protect Berries
Students share information about falcons, then read about how farmers are using falcons. For this falcon lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...
Curated OER
Scientists Use Web Site to Report Volcano Activity
Students react to statements about volcanoes, then read a news article about scientists monitoring eruptions at Augustine volcano in Alaska. In this earth science and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the lesson with a...
Curated OER
In the Wake of a Storm
Students share thoughts about the effects of Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana's natural environment. They read an online article and write proposals to save Mississippi River marshlands.
Curated OER
Scientists Find 27 New Species in Caves
Students share their knowledge of creatures that live in caves, then read a news article about new cave animals that have been found in California. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Curated OER
Disease and Epidemics
Young scholars watch a video to introduce the study of historical outbreaks of infectious diseases and epidemics. They create charts of diseases after reading an article and share their information as a class.
Curated OER
Weather with Pink Snow and Other Weird Weather
Third graders explore different kinds of weather. For this weather lesson, 3rd graders discover the different ways humans protect themselves from weather. Students read the book Pink Snow and Other Weird Weather by Jennifer Dussling....
Curated OER
Flight of the Future/Space Flight
Students explore space science by viewing videos on YouTube. In this moon landing lesson plan, students view clips of Neil Armstrong taking his first step on the moon and discuss the space race between the U.S. and Russia. Students...
Curated OER
Look Alikes
Third graders compare and contrast the physical features of parents and offspring. For this life science lesson, 3rd graders classify a set of animal pictures according to their similarities. They share and explain their work in class.
Curated OER
Deadly Stingrays!
Students read a story called Irwin's Death Draws Attention to Stingrays and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this stingray lesson plan, student respond to literature by answering questions, recalling details,...
Curated OER
What is a Robot?
Students explore robots. In this robot lesson, students discuss what they know about robots and what kinds of jobs they have seen robots do. Students research robot books, chart their findings and share with the class. Students also...
Curated OER
Animal Coverings
Students read a book. In this animal characteristics instructional activity, students read the book Animal Coverings, answer comprehension questions, and complete a chart where they match animals with their coverings.
Curated OER
Old Solutions - New Solutions
Students examine descriptions of a mining company's land-reclamation project. They share information to analyze the environmental impact of the project. Independently, they answer questions on environmental and economic issues...
Curated OER
Wheel and Axle
Fifth graders construct a wheel and axle model using a Lego Dacta set. They read and discuss informational text from the book "It's Science! Machines We Use," and in small groups create a simple machine using Legos.
Curated OER
Japanese Scientists Photograph Giant Squid
Students read and discuss a news article about scientists capturing first-ever photos of a giant squid in its habitat. They answer comprehension questions, write a journal entry from the scientists point of view, and analyze a giant...