Curated OER
Three is a Toxic Number
Future public health advocates read a case study of a combination of water pollutants that may be linked to autism. The class is split into three groups, one to research each of the suspected chemicals. The look at how each one affects...
Curated OER
Introducing Recycling
Students study environmental issues of excess garbage and learn about recycling. In this recycling lesson, students discuss recycling and read a story about too much garbage. Students write a persuasive essay about the importance of...
Curated OER
What are Dinosaurs?
Students explore the attributes of dinosaurs. In this dinosaur lesson, students read books and watch videos featuring dinosaurs. Students also research dinosaur traits using Internet sources.
Curated OER
Is it a solid or liquid?
Learners review the vocabulary terms solid and liquid. They also review that adjectives tell what kind, which one, and how many. The teacher introduces a "Oobleck" after reading "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" by Dr. Seuss. The students...
Curated OER
Weather in a Bottle
Fifth graders examine air flow, pressure, condensation and examine how to read a weather map. In this informative instructional activity students learn vocabulary then see how these terms can be applied by viewing a few demonstrations...
Curated OER
Penguin Presentations
Students explore the attributes of penguins. In this penguins lesson, students participate in a penguin scavenger hunt and take notes on the information they encounter. Students prepare reports about their findings and share them with...
Curated OER
Waste Watchers
Energy-aware learners conduct an audit on their electricity usage by recording their electric meter reading and assessing the thermostat, light bulbs, windows, and water heaters in their homes. In class, they analyze results and discuss...
Curated OER
An Exploration of Wind Energy and Wind Turbines
How is wind produced and is it a good source for energy production? Get some air moving in your class. Learners take a pre-test, watch a demonstration of how electricity can be generated by wind energy, test different turbine factors for...
Curated OER
Symbiosis: Help, Hinder or Destroy
Use background information and vocabulary to familiarize your students with the concept of symbiosis and the role agriculture plays in the shared relationship. They then write the vocabulary in their lab books or journals, and read the...
Curated OER
Toward a Sustainable Agriculture
Read about sustainable agriculture and complete related Internet activities. After reading background information about the economics of sustainable agriculture and the problems with the industrial food system, your students click on...
Curated OER
My Reading Words in My Social Studies Book?
Connect social studies and language arts using this resource. After studying root words, have learners locate five words from their social studies book that have a prefix, suffix, or root word. This puts a new twist on practicing basic...
Curated OER
Where the Buffalo Roam
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
Curated OER
A Garden of Verses: Poems About Class Gardens
Young scholars explore botany by participating in a language arts activity. For this garden poetry lesson, students read the classic poem "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" and discuss the imagery and rhyming methods used. Young scholars...
Curated OER
Space the Next Frontier
Students examine the use of space as the frontier of the future. Using the colonist's experience coming to the New World, they identify challenges they would face if they were to settle in space. As a class, they share what they already...
Curated OER
Medic!
Learners navigate and analyze information about the presentation of a disease during a class discussion. They document and share their analysis of information in a class discussion in order to describe a variety of disease origins.
Curated OER
Water in the Air?
In this science worksheet, students collaborate as a group of 4 to conduct a science investigation about the water cycle. Students read about the specific job responsibilities for each team member and record their findings on this sheet.
Curated OER
Imaginary Insect Zoo
Students create imaginary insects that contain essential characteristics of an insect, such as six legs and three body parts. In this Science/Arts lesson, students distinguish between an insect and non-insect. Students create their own...
Curated OER
Home Sweet Home
Students enjoy investigating and becoming aware of the habitats around them. They record their observations in scientific journals. Data collection can take the form of a simple drawing or taking digital photos or videos in the habitats...
Curated OER
What Happened?
Learners read legends about volcanoes. They develop their own legend and shares them with the class. They practice their writing skills as well.
Science Matters
Earthquake Preparedness
Forty-five states and territories in the USA are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes. The discussion-based lesson covers what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. The 14th lesson in the series includes how to prepare a...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Space Travel Guide
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations.
Science Matters
Ring of Fire
Over a period of 35 years, earthquakes and volcanoes combined only accounted for 1.5 percent of the deaths from natural disasters in the United States. The 15th lesson in a 20-part series connects the locations of earthquakes and...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Plant Phenology Data Analysis
Beginning in 1851, Thoreau recorded the dates of the first spring blooms in Concord, and this data is helping scientists analyze climate change! The culminating instructional activity in the series of four has pupils graph and analyze...
Scholastic
Ready to Research Owls
Researching facts about owls can be a hoot for your class. Let them wisely collaborate on this writing project. The resource is the second part of three parts. It is best to use all three lessons in order.