NASA
The Science of the Sun
There's more to that glowing ball of light in sky than most children realize. From the overall structure of the solar system, to the changing of the seasons, these hands-on lessons open the eyes of young scientists to the important role...
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of Butterflies, Day 2
Second graders extend their knowledge of life cycles to other animals. They demonstrate their understanding that at the beginning of an animal's life cycle, some young animals represent the adult while others do not. They will...
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of Butterflies, Day 1
Describe each stage in the life cycle of a butterfly. Second graders will identify the stages of the life cycle of the butterfly, using correct vocabulary. They will also share their new understandings about the stages of the life cycle...
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
My Miniature Greenhouse!
Here is an activity that will peak your super scientists' interest and knowledge of greenhouse gardening. Green thumbs flourish when they build, prepare, take care of, and observe their seedlings inside a miniature greenhouse. With...
Curated OER
Disney's Animal World Part 2: That's My Baby
Students see that baby animals go through different stages of growth during their life, just as people do. They use the downloadable Cyberlesson Worksheet to reinforce what they have learned about animals and their offspring.
Curated OER
A Planting We Will Go
Even the youngest kids can make scientific comparisons using collected data. They read The Tiny Seed, then discuss the essential nutrients and elements needed for a seed to grow into a blooming plant. They plant seeds and track their...
Curated OER
What is Life?
Students investigate the characteristics of living things. In this life science instructional activity, students examine several living and non-living specimens. Students determine which things are living and non-living.
Curated OER
Grow, Grow, Grow
Students listen to literature selection, describe life cycle of silkworm, discuss what they know about growth in living things, observe silkworms for one week and record observations in science journals, and review stages of growth.
Curated OER
Caterpillar to Butterfly
Students draw the life cycle of a butterfly. In this life cycle lesson plan, students read about and discuss the life cycle and then draw what they have learned.
Curated OER
Growing
Growing is part of being a living thing. Kindergartners decide which illustrations represent the life cycle of a living thing, then put a check mark next to the correct pictures. They then examine their own growth on a height chart.
Curated OER
Dinosaurs
Young scholars are introduced to the various types of dinosaurs and write in their journals about their favorite one. After listening to a story and watching a filmstrip, they color a few pages in their Dinosaur Friends Book. They also...
Curated OER
Let's Start Growing
Learners investigate how a tree grows from a seed. In this plant biology lesson, students use potting soil, tree seeds, and a paper cup to observe seeds growing into plants. Learners record observations in their science journals.
Curated OER
How a Seed Grows: And Who Grows It
Second graders explore botany by viewing video clips in class. In this seed growth lesson, 2nd graders identify the types of seeds that grow specific plants and what the optimal conditions are for growing seeds. Students view a video...
Curated OER
What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Light
Students conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need light to survive and grow. They observe and gather data about plant responses to different growth regimes, analyze the data, and make conclusions about basic plant needs.
Curated OER
What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Soil
Students conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need soil to survive and grow. They plant two seeds, one with soil and one without, make predictions, and record and analyze the seed germination results on a worksheet.
Curated OER
Tree Rings
Fourth graders explore tree rings. In this plant biology lesson, 4th graders construct a KWL chart on tree rings and examine real tree rings. Students identify the changes that happened during the tree's life and its actual age. Students...
Curated OER
Amazon Rainforest Conservation, Brazil
Students explore the concept of understanding the effects of disturbances in an environment. In this life science lesson, students use the game Jenga to help capture the idea of environment disturbances. Students discuss the effects of...
Virginia Department of Education
Weather Patterns and Seasonal Changes
Get your class outside to observe their surroundings with a lesson highlighting weather patterns and seasonal changes. First, learners take a weather walk to survey how the weather affects animals, people, plants, and trees during...
Curated OER
Inside the Egg, Hatching Chickens
Pupils conduct an egg candling activity to show the life inside a fertile egg. Students discuss the needs the egg has of the hen, as well as similarities and differences between plants and animals. Pupils complete a life cycle wheel...
Curated OER
A Rainbow Under the Sea: How Do Animals Survive in the Ocean?
Second graders, with adult help, create a PowerPoint presentation on a selected ocean animal.
Curated OER
Vermicomposting
Fourth graders explore insect life by viewing a soil presentation in class. In this composting lesson, 4th graders read assigned text about the process of composting soil and the necessity of soil in plant life. Students view video clips...
Curated OER
Making Cents of the Senses
Students explore sight and hearing. In this senses lesson, students read Brown Bear Brown Bear, discuss how eyes are used for sight, and chart the eye color of the students in the class. Students discuss how hearing is important, take a...
Curated OER
Amazon Rainforest Conservation, Brazil
Students explore rain forests. For this rain forest lesson, students participate in a "BioBlitz" of their schoolyard, observing and recording every living thing in a designated area. Students visit websites about rain forests to...
Curated OER
Characteristics of Snakes and Turtles
Students examine the characteristics of snakes and turtles and compare/contrast reptiles with mammals. They watch a video, answer discussion questions, complete information charts, conduct Internet research, and create a habitat diorama.