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Potato chip Classification
Students create a dichotomous key using potato chips. In this classification lesson, students sort potato chips into groups based on observable characteristics. They record their results to create a dichotomous key in preparation for...
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Dinosaurs
Learners participate in a simulated archeological dig to gain an understanding of the earth's development as well as the organisms on it. In this dinosaur lesson plan, students work in small groups removing five pieces from the 'dig' one...
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Blue Moon
Students explore information about the moon. In this trans-disciplinary instructional activity, students first listen to a picture book about the moon, then create an accompanying art project to illustrate a blue moon. Finally, the...
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Life Processes
Students identify life processes and create their own creature. In this creative science lesson plan, students identify an organism's life processes and categorize them into groups. They then create their own creature and write about how...
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Guidebook
Students create a guidebook page about a plant on the school grounds. In this life and plant science lesson plan, students identify plants around the school, then research the plant and write a narrative about it. Students publish the...
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Non-Compressibility of Water
Learners will observe a property of water. In this inquiry-based properties of air lesson, students observe how a change in water pressure impacts the positioning of an eye-dropper in the water container and they make hypotheses about...
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Lettuce Us Be Different
Students evaluate their differences, then look at differences in plants. In this class team building and life science lesson, the class play a game that focuses on similarities and differences in the group, then students plant three...
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The Bouncing Ball
Students use the scientific method to conduct an experiment to test how a ball bounces. In this inquiry-based physical science and scientific method lesson, students drop a ball from specified heights and record the rebound, then record...
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I'm Warm Now
Third graders graph how much water is wasted while waiting for it to get warm in the spigot in the sink. In this graphing lesson plan, student first predict how much water is wasted. That night they test it out at home and the next day...
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Why Is The Sea Salty?
Students observe how salt concentration increases in water and how salt remains after water evaporates. For this salty sea lesson plan, student use rock salt, water, containers, and strainers to observe that salt increases each time new...
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Flight Paths of Orbiting Satellites
Students examine the path a satellite follows as it orbits the earth. In this space science instructional activity, students use a globe as they illustrate a satellite in its orbital plane, then plot points on the satellite's path on the...
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Mapping Constellations
Students become familiar with constellations. In this space science activity, the teacher introduces constellations by showing students the star patterns and reading myths. Students, observe the stars nightly, then choose one...
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Food Chain/Food Web
Students explore ecosystems. For this ecology lesson, students read an article explaining ecosystems. Students create a visual organizer with index cards using components of various ecosystems.
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Magnetic Fields and Bermuda Triangles
Students map magnetic fields of a magnet using a compass and predict where fields cancel each other to create 'Bermuda Triangles'. In this magnetism lesson, students use a compass to map the magnetic field of a magnet. They explain how...
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Jello Cells
Middle schoolers create a three dimensional model of a cell. In this cellular structure lesson, students use gelatin, plastic bags, plastic containers, and fruit to construct a model of a cell. They compare the cells structures and stack...
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What Causes Tooth Decay
Learners investigate oral hygiene. In this personal health lesson, students discover the parts of a tooth and how to best protect them from disease. Learners examine the effects of acids on tooth enamel and calcium.
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Work, Lyddie! Work!
Students research links concerning early factory labor, child labor in today's world, and diseases on young laborers. They work on a loom, analyze a mill bell schedule, read a mill girl's diary, and write a poem or song exhibiting empathy.
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Story Starters
Young scholars orally tell different types of stories using the assistance of props. For more advanced students, stories may be told according to a specific genre, or the story may have to include a given condition, setting, situation or...
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Solar Energy Experiment
Young scholars observe solar energy at work. In this science lesson, students watch two bottles, painted black and white, sit in the heat with balloons on the mouth of the bottles. They observe and discuss why the balloon of the black...
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Jack and the Beanstalk
Third graders read a story and grow a beanstalk. In this literature and life science lesson, the class reads "Jack and the Beanstalk," then lists fairy tale elements and write a puppet show. The students plant pinto beans and observes...
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Science and Technology Timeline
Students develop a time line of discoveries that have occurred in their lifetime. In this time line lesson plan, students research scientifically or technologically related events of interest to them, write a brief description on a 4x6"...
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Looking At Variables
Learners predict and test different variables that would effect sugar cubes dissolving in water. In this dissolving lesson plan, students have 4 petri dishes with 4 different variations of sugar cubes and water. They predict which will...
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Plant Systems
Second graders learn about plant systems and how plants grow and function. In this plant lesson plan, 2nd graders collect data based on roots, leaves, terrariums, plant uses, and locations of certain kinds of plants. They fill out...
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Identifying Watersheds with Topographic Maps
Students model a watershed and delineate one using topographic maps. In this hydrology lesson, students use aluminum foil to model a landscape and observe how water moves on it. They also observe the features of a topographic map and use...