Howard Hughes Medical Institute
What van Leeuwenhoek Saw
When van Leeuwenhoek saw cells and single-celled organisms for the first time, he knew these small things were a big deal! Share his discoveries with young learners through a narrated video, model-building activity, and scale study....
DK Publishing
The Same
Combine color, size, and shape recognition for youngsters using this set of shapes. They follow the directions to color big triangles red and small circles blue, then count and record the number of red triangles and blue circles....
Curated OER
Goody Bags
Looking for Common Core math center ideas for your Kindergartners? This a great one that is easy to set up, change up, and can be individualized to the learning level of each child. Start with a collection of zippered plastic bags...
K12 Reader
Order of Adjectives Chart
Would you say the two big round buttons, or is it the two round big buttons? Use a reference page to determine which category of adjective belongs where in a sentence.
California Academy of Science
Snakes and Lizards Length and Movement
Snakes and lizards can be very tiny or very long. Your class will get out their rulers to see just how big snakes and lizards can be. They discuss several different reptiles by reading the included animal fact cards, then each small...
Curated OER
Arctic Animals: How Do They Measure Up?
Young scientists grab their measuring tapes, rulers, and yard sticks as they see how big Arctic animals really are. To conceptualize the trait of height or length, each small group will measure out the entire length of an arctic animal....
American Museum of Natural History
A Whale of a Tale
What's the most interesting fact about a blue whale? Learners read an interview about the similarities between the Titanosaur and the blue whale displays at the American Museum of Natural History. Pupils learn not only about blue whales...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Lab 1: Nanocatalysts Clean Your Car Emissions
What a big job for such a small particle. Young scientists learn about the role of nanoparticles in catalytic converters for cars. They conduct an experiment to create alginate-MnO2 catalytic spheres.
Curated OER
Liquid Rainbow
Students develop their own techniques for drawing a small sample of solutions into a straw. They hypothesize ways to increase the density of water, and discuss how salt-free rainwater tends to float on top of salty seawater.
Curated OER
Sponge-Painted Ocean Mural
I love big mural projects. They bring a sense of ownership to the classroom, look great for parents, and can be a great way to complete a unit. Here are the steps and suggestions needed to create an ocean mural for your class. Learners...
Curated OER
Soccer Football
Games like this are so much fun! It's basically a big keep-away game, but you get to score points. There are rules by which to play, so students can practice the passing and catching skills in football as much as possible in the game....
Illustrative Mathematics
Explaining Fraction Equivalence with Picture
Visual models are a great tool for demonstrating the concept of equivalent fractions. Given two pictures, young mathematicians first identify each fraction and then write an explanation for why they are equivalent. Use as a guided...
Curated OER
Little, Medium, Big
Young scholars order different-sized objects from little to big, click, drag, and hold objects using a computer mouse, and improve confidence with computer skills. They use the computer mouse to order sets of clip art in a Word document.
Curated OER
Nanaotechnology: Small Science, BIG DEAL!
Students read an article that introduces them to the science and applications of nanotechnology. They discuss the the everyday examples of how nanotechnology is and can be used. In small groups, they observe and make inferences about...
Curated OER
Frequency vs. Size
Students identify and interpret sound as a vibration and what period and frequency are. They also divide the various types of objects so that all objects are explored and the procedures are determined by the students.
Finally, students...
Curated OER
Sequencing From Close To Far
Students explore how objects stay the same size and only "look" like they change when closer are farther from the object. They sequence aerial photos and satellite images from closest to farthest.
DiscoverE
Hoop Glider
Fly into an engineering lesson sure to get your scholars' interest off the ground. Young pupils create hoop gliders out of straws and paper hoops. Adjusting the size and number of the hoops lets them investigate the effect on flight...
Curated OER
Sampling Rocks
Students analyze rocks. For this geology lesson, students collect rocks from the schoolyard and sort them according to various characteristics, such as color, size, and weight.
Curated OER
Animals and Plants: 1st Grade Science
First graders will have a better grasp on animal characteristics after viewing this presentation. The concepts covered are, skin, life cycle, offspring, size, and human/animal interrelationships. Note: This is good as a concept review or...
Curated OER
Megabeasts
Create larger-than-life insects for the classroom. Bugs are usually pretty small, but during the Jurassic period they were huge. Kids use diagramming and scale conversion to enlarge a modern day insect so that it is as big as its ancient...
Curated OER
Worms and more
Students have early length experiences must develop an awareness of what length is, and of the range of words that can be used to discuss length. Young children usually begin by describing the size of objects as big and small. They...
Curated OER
Compare: Big/Small or Tall/Short
In this comparisons worksheet, students determine which pictures of animals are bigger/smaller or taller/shorter. A website reference for additional activities is given.
Curated OER
Sorting and Classifying Concrete Objects by Varying Attributes
First graders examine how to sort concrete objects by their attributes. In this sorting lesson, 1st graders listen to Gray Rabbit's Odd One Out by Alan Baker, and discuss the actions of the main character. They practice sorting objects...
Curated OER
Science-Unit on Matter-Gases
First graders understand that gases take up space even though you can't see or smell it. This is done through many experiments like trapping air in different sized bags, using balloons and plastic bottles, and blowing bubbles. They...