Pupils design and create a compost pile in order to study the Nitrogen Cycle. They then use the scientific method to determine if plants grow better when they add organic matter from their compost pile to the plant's soil.

Learners simulate the movement of cold and warm fronts as they listen to a story about the weather and Mr. Sun. They brainstorm the characteristics of each type of front then write about which front they would prefer if they were a...

Students compare and contrast the ways that penguins are different to flying birds.

Pupils complete puzzles of dinosaurs. They compare each piece of the puzzle to a fossil and simulate a scientist's role in learning about dinosaurs.

Students enhance memorization skills by using the following techniques: acrostics, acronyms, number pictures, spelling memory tips, name pictures, grouping, and journey pegs.

Students examine the differences between weathering, erosion, and deposition as it pertains to mountains.

Students partipate in a demonstration in which they role play animals migrating between breeding and wintering habitats and encountering hazards at each end of the journey.

Students demonstrate ways to be an environmental philanthropist. In this philanthropy lesson plan, students read The Gardener and Just a Dream and compare the two books. Students discuss ways the characters demonstrated environmental...

Pupils examine natural and man-made threats to sea turtles. They create sea turtle mobiles while studying the range, environment, predators of and threats to sea turtles.

Students identify the different forests of the world and some of the characteristics that differentiate them. They explore old magazines, calendars and photos and fill out a scavenger hunt worksheet.

Students explore sea turtles. They create paper plate sea turtles and brainstorm other organisms that live in the sea turtle's habitat. They role-play scenes from a nonfiction book, A Baby Sea Turtle's Journey. They play a game...

Third graders study the continents that specific dinosaurs lived on. They compare the continent's location and climate when dinosaurs live there with its current location.

Students read facts about the Solar System. In this solar system lesson plan, students read facts on the dimensions, planets, and workings of the solar system. There is a big emphasis on Saturn.

Students engage in an interactive play scenario. They are the new managers of a fictional city and live in a place where nothing is recycled. Students are faced with various problems that need to be solved. They work together to propose...

Students read about the settlement of Illinois from statehood to the present. They categorize different areas of need such as survival, economic and social. Students make a list of ways people used the physical environment in Illinois...

Junior geologists sort rocks and soil. They separate a sample of river gravel by size, shape, color, and other characteristics. To include Common Core standards, you could have little ones graph the number of particles in each sample.

Pupils study myths regarding four earthquakes myths. They receive a list of supplies each family should have at home to prepare for an earthquake and construct an "Earthquake Preparation" poster showing some of the most important items...

Young scholars write journal entries about eclipses with a focus on solar eclipses.

Studentsexplore how gravity affects the operation of toys and simple machines. They watch a video and experiment with simple machines.

Learners become aware of the important role the ocean plays in our lives. Students will gain general knowledge about the ocean by reading information on the Internet. They discover the weather events generated by ocean conditions.

Third graders read books about the moon and discuss its perceived changes as it moves across the sky. They observe the moon over the course of a month and chart their observations. They discuss their observations and conduct further...

Students study and illustrate clouds. In this cloud study instructional activity, students study clouds and then illustrate what they see. Students use their imaginations to interpret images from the cloud picture they drew.

Students examine the life of bats in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the history of the bat in Illinois and describe the way they find prey by using echolocation. They report their findings to the class and answer any...

Young scholars explore natural disasters by reading stories about volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. They explore safe behaviors in order to understand what to expect in a catastrophe. Students practice safe evacuation...