Curated OER
Liftoff Into Space
Students explore the history of space exploration. In this history of space exploration lesson, students create a timeline of space exploration. Students watch a space video and discuss important events. Students research space...
Curated OER
Exploring the Sky: Reading Maria's Comet
Discover the science behind astronomy. After reading the book Maria's Comet, which is about a young woman who breaks new ground by becoming a female astronomer, young learners practice reading comprehension with worksheet questions about...
Curated OER
What Do I Wear Out Here?
First graders identify the components of a modular spacesuit. In this astronaut clothing lesson, 1st graders discuss the importance of appropriate clothing for working in space. Students define the term modular and explore an Internet...
Curated OER
Using a Graphic Organizer to Research a Question
Is Pluto still a planet? Using this popular question, kids are introduced to graphic organizers as a writing tool. As a class, they watch a demonstration on how to use them and work together with a partner to research whether Pluto is a...
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Reading and Writing about the Solar System
A superb interdisciplinary approach highlights this lesson which incorporates space science knowledge and narrative skills. After reading The Magic School Bus, two excellent poems, and watching a video, all about our solar system, young...
National Wildlife Federation
Massive Migrations
Turn your students into flocks of migratory birds for this fun lesson on animal migration. Prior to the activity, the teacher creates four different migration routes in the classroom or any available open space, labeling nesting...
Curated OER
The Science of Sleep and Daily Rhythms: Sleeping in Space
Learners write about strange places that they have slept. In this sleep science lesson students read about astronauts sleeping experience in space. They reflect on unusual places that they have slept and write about it.
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Cloud Watching
Pupils analyze art as a cloud pattern activity. In this cloud and art instructional activity, students view April Gornik's painting The Back of the Storm and make connections between science and art. Pupils observe cloud patterns for one...
Curated OER
My Spacecraft Model
Students work together to develop their own model of a spacecraft. They complete illustrations and writings to document their work. They present their information to the class.
Curated OER
Earth in the Solar System
A three-week unit designed to be completed in an elementary level, dual-language immersion classroom, this resource includes several lessons intended to introduce young learners to the solar system, the Earth and how the Earth compares...
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Outer Space Creature
Students read poems by Shel Silverstein about planets and outer space. As a class, they compare and contrast his descriptions to actual facts which have been discovered through explorations. They write a description of an outer space...
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How to Grow a Sunflower Plant
Students explore botany by conducting a sunflower growth experiment. In this plant life lesson, students identify the anatomy of a sunflower plant and the essential nutrients it requires to grow. Students utilize compost, soil, garden...
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Wish You Were Here
Students work in small groups to research information about planets in the solar system. They create picture postcards from space, drawing images they imagine they would see while traveling to a planet. They then write personal messages...
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Ask a NASA Engineer
Students develop questions to ask a NASA engineer to email them. After emailing the quesitons to the volunteer, the answers are sent to the class via the same method. To end the instructional activity, they formulate more questions and...
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Matter
First graders are read a story about the various stages of matter with a focus on gases. Using a ziploc bag, they capture as much air as possible and discuss how it takes up space even though it is invisible. To end the lesson, they blow...
Curated OER
Cooler in the Shadows
Young scholars explore Earth science by creating a scale model in class. In this shadow lesson, students research the impact the sun has on Earth shadows and complete a space science worksheet. Young scholars create models of the Sun and...
Curated OER
Make Bark and Leaf Rubbings
Students explore natural resources by creating art from plant materials. For this leaf rubbings lesson, students identify the plants that shed bark and leaves and discuss how it helps them survive in specific environments. Students...
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What is Magnetism?
Students investigate magnetism. In this physics lesson, students create a KWL chart about magnetism and research various suggested websites to find out more about magnetism. Students log on to the "BrainPOP" website and view a short...
Curated OER
Making Recycled Paper
Students explore the advantages of recycling paper. In this environmental lesson, students produce recycled paper by ripping up paper and putting it into a blender with water to create a mixture. Students use their recycled paper to...
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Disposing Garbage
Students explore environmental cleanliness by completing a worksheet in class. In this waste management lesson, students identify the technological advances in society and how they increase waste production our planet is unable to deal...
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The Differences Between Turtles and Tortoises
First graders differentiate between turtles and tortoises. In this turtles and tortoises lesson students are visited by a turtle and a tortoise. Students write a letter with an illustration after the animals visit the class.
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The Magic School Bus Lost in Space
Students identify the planets by making two models of the Solar System. They create a model that shows the order of the planets and a model that shows the planets sizes as compared to one another. They may write about the planet they...
Curated OER
De-composers - Terrarium
Students explore the environment by building a mock ecosystem. For this rainforest analysis lesson, students define many environmental and rainforest related vocabulary terms and discuss the current status of our planet's rainforests....
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Exploration Yesterday and Today
Students compare and contrast the voyages of early explorers with the space explorations of the present day. After reading the biographies of Benjamin Banneker and Timothy Livengood, students create a Venn Diagram comparing and...