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What Does the Inside of a Seed Look Like?
First graders study seeds. In this biology instructional activity, 1st graders observe the differences between dry and wet seeds and draw what is inside a seed after peeling off the outer coat of one of the seeds.
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The Bouncing Ball
Students use the scientific method to conduct an experiment to test how a ball bounces. For 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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Jobs in the 21st Century
Students understand the tools that will be used in the lab in the 21st century. In this job preparation activity, students experiment and understand how to use lab equipment. Students will write about the lab tools they've experimented...
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What is a Seed?
First graders identify the parts of a seed. In this plant biology lesson, 1st graders are given a seed and identify each part of the seed by using a hand lens. Students plant a seed and graph the growth.
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Fishing
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman. In this fishing lesson plan, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Habitat Sunprints
Students recognize various habitats and where they are found. In this habitat sunprints lesson, students observe the contents of habitats and record what the sunprint might represent. Students use blueprint paper and small natural...
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Calling All Owls
Students research various types of owls. In this owls lesson, students observe owls and discuss their characteristics. Students go to an owl habitat and listen for the call of an owl. Students read The Owl in the Shower and debate the...
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Let's Look at the Clouds!
Students investigate the water cycle and cloud formations by examining photographs. In this weather activity, students observe pictures of specific cloud types and identify them by putting them in groups. Students describe the type of...
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Photo Scavenger Hunt
Students celebrate Earth Day by applying what they've learned about studying the natural world. In this Photo Scavenger Hunt lesson plan, students use a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery and to help them understand the...
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Heads Up!
Young scholars investigate fossils through reading Digging Up Dinosaurs and the study of a scale triceratops head. In this dinosaur fossil lesson plan, students young scholars each draw a portion of a picture of a dinosaur head....
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Schooling Fish
Students make fish models. In this fish behavior instructional activity, students create lanternfish fishsticks, learn how a school of fish live, eat and swim together, examine the predator-prey relationship, and read the book Swimmy to...
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The Very Busy Spider
Students determine the best habitat for spiders. In this spider lesson, students listen to a reading of Eric Carle's, The Very Busy Spider. They discuss the spider's habitat before visiting the schoolyard to look for spiders in their...
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Mystery Rocks and Minerals
Students review the properties of rocks and minerals. In this geology lesson, students distinguish between rocks and minerals. Students also classify the rocks as igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary.
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Sounds
Learners explore the concept of sound. In this sound lesson, students explore different sounds and the objects that create them. Learners will discover, through several hands-on activities, what vibration, pitch, and amplitude is.
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Oobleck!
Students use Oobleck to investigate the properties of colloids. In this Oobleck and colloid lesson, students listen to the beginning of Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. They experiment with Oobleck (corn starch, water, and...
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Shells: An Investigation
Students observe shells using their five senses. In this scientific inquiry lesson plan, students examine shells using a hand lens and their five senses. Students complete an included shell data sheet.
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Dragon Boats
Students create a model boat. In this art lesson, students identify what makes a boat float and use milk cartons to create their own boat.
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Hello Summer
Learners celebrate the great outdoors and the coming summer break by studying the natural world. In this seasons lesson, students engage in bark rubbing and operate a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery for a collage to help them...
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Ramps 2: Ramp Builder
Students design, build, and test their own ramps. They are introduced to a variety of materials and explore putting them together. Students engage in an inquiry-based learning experience to reinforce math, science, and technology...
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Forest Friends Forever
Students investigate how to use the senses to gather information about objects such as size, shape, color, texture, sound, position, and change (qualitative observations are utilized throughout this instructional activity). They...
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Look At Those Leaves!
Young scholars sort tree leaves. In this plant biology lesson plan, students collect leaves and group them according to size, shape, and color. Young scholars discuss their observations.
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Coal Formation
Learners perform an in-depth study of coal - one of most important fossil fuels. Over a three-week period of time, they become familiar with how coal is formed underground, and will create a "fossil" right there in the classroom in order...
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Numbers as Descriptors
Students use numbers as descriptors. In this mathematical inquiry lesson, students use numbers to describe, classify, and compare plants. Students are made aware that numbers can be used to describe things in the world around them.
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The Impact
Pupils see what inventors have to think about when making an invention. In this inventions instructional activity students examine Thomas Edison and the light bulb and the history of inventions.