Colorado Unit Writing Project
Simple Machines
Planning an elementary science unit has never been simpler! These twelve lessons guide young scientists through an exploration of simple machines and their many uses in the real world before asking them to apply their learning in the...
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"The Soil Around Us" Project
Young geographers collect samples of different kinds of soil to match to the soil terms in Barry Rudner's rhyming book Filet of Soil: dirt, mud, dust, soot, etc. They start a glossary for the project on index cards or large sheets of...
PBS
Blow the Roof Off!
Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics from making...
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Rock On! Featuring the Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Trio!
Get your classroom rocking with this four-lesson earth science unit. Through a series of shared reading activities and hands-on investigations, young geologists learn about the three types of rocks and the unique properties of each.
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Read About Science: Toys
Students complete another Read about Science with a focus on toys. Individually, they read a book of their choice about toys and define new vocabulary. To end the science lesson, they complete a KWL chart and share what they gathered...
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Kaleidoscope
Students explore energy by creating a light project in class. In this kaleidoscope lesson plan, students discuss the properties of light and how mirrors can reflect the energy in different directions. Students view a diagram of light...
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Light Reflections
Students explore light. In this physical science light lesson, students display objects on a projection screen and investigate how light absorbs, refracts, transmits and reflects. Students discuss common features of light based on their...
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Are You Full of Hot Air?
Explore the concept of measuring and recording circumference. In this physical science and measurement lesson, young learners blow up balloons, measure the circumference, and record the data on an interactive graphing website.
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Magnificent Magnets
Learners identify the properties of a magnet. In this physics instructional activity, students explore the strength of the magnet by testing out how a magnet reacts to various materials. The various objects the learners test include...
Baylor College
How Much Water Do Humans Need?
Physical or life science learners measure the amounts of water eliminated by intestines and the urinary system, and the amounts lost via respiration and perspiration. In doing so, they discover that the body's water must be replenished...
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Rube Goldberg Project
Young scholars apply inquiry and problem solving approaches in science. They design a device (invention) that solves a special problem.
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Conserving Water through Art!
Students study water conservation. For this water conservation lesson, students investigate the scarcity of water and determine reasons for conserving water. Students estimate how much water they use in one day and identify ways to...
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Mixing Oil and Water
Students explore physical science by participating in a class experiment. In this chemistry lesson plan, students discuss what they predict will happen when cooking oil and water are blended together. Students utilize a plastic bottle,...
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Glurch II
Learners make glurch using materials provided. In this chemistry lesson plan, students identify the physical properties of glurch. They compare its properties to commercially prepared ones.
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Under the Spell of Spiders
Young scholars examine spiders. In these spider lessons, students will view spider images and live spiders to determine physical characteristics, habits, and habitats. Young scholars will examine fantasy and folklore about spiders to...
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Mr. and Miss Big Feet
Third graders experiment with gravitational force. In this physical science lesson, 3rd graders send matchbox cars off a ramp while changing the amount of weight attached to the car. Students record their data and discuss the results.
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Plant Nutrition and Nutrients
Students observe seeds growth and examine the different parts of the seedling. In this biology lesson, students compare the growth of seeds planted in soil and in hydroponics. They record their observations in their science journal and...
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Constellation Projections
Students draw constellations. In this astronomy lesson, students create constellations from star groupings projected on a chalk board. Students connect the "stars" to create a pattern on the board. Student can create new groupings of...
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Aviation, Aeronautics and Aerodynamics
Learners investigate the physics of flight through various experiments. In this physics lesson, students construct different flying objects. They explain the dynamics that make these object fly.
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Using "Student Power" to Generate Electricity to Run a Portable Compact Disc Player
Young scholars explain the relationship between magnetism and electricity. In this physics lesson, students describe the transformation of energy. They create an electromagnet and investigate the factors affecting its strength.
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Disposable Diaper Comparison and Mystery Powder Identification
Students investigate which diaper is the most absorbent. In this chemistry instructional activity, students calculate how much water is absorbed by diapers. They identify an unknown powder based on physical and chemical properties.
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Hatching Chickens
Young scholars observe chicks hatching from eggs. In this science lesson, students view a video to develop an understanding of the proper care and needs of eggs and live animals. This is a great precursor activity for hatching eggs in...
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PRIMARY Activity: Racing Jars
Students explore how mass affects speed in this hands-on physics experiment. In this mass and speed lesson, students fill a baby food jar with water and leave a second jar empty. They roll the 2 jars down a ramp to observe which jar will...
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Making Life Easier
Students use a chart of the six simple machines and become aware of how the machines improve our ability to meet the following needs: shelter, food, water, and transportation. Students use model cars to experiment with force. They divide...