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Investigate Science Using Crayfish
Young scientists discover the importance of scientific investigation by observing live crayfish. They carefully observe the patterns of crayfish in different environments. Then they discuss their conclusions and define what all living...
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Investigating Brass Instruments and Pitch
Students observe the sounds of different brass instruments in order to understand how to create different pitches. In this musical lesson, students create a "brass" instrument from everyday household objects. The students discuss the...
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Sun and Shadows
Why do shadows look different in the summer than in the winter? What causes day and night? How can a sundial be used to tell time? Answer these questions and more through two engaging lessons about light and shadows. Fourth and fifth...
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The Art and Science of Impressionist Color
Discover Impressionist painting as learners investigate the 19th century combinations of colors characteristically used. Students experiment with their own paintings, utilizing primary and secondary colors.
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Mock Investigation
Students explore detective investigations. In this introduction to mysteries lesson, students role play eye witnesses and investigators related to a "crime" committed in their classroom. Students collect evidence and record information,...
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Investigating Native Plants
Young scholars explore Earth science by participating in a gardening activity. In this botany lesson plan, students discuss a group of non-native plants that would grow well in a school garden. Young scholars complete a plant science...
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Life Science: DNA Whodunit?
Young scholars role play an honorary detective to assist in solving a crime committed. They investigate by a bank robbery and interview eyewitnesses using their Crime Investigation Notebook and clues from an eyewitness account from the...
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Sustainable Livestock
Young scholars investigate healthy eating habits by researching livestock. In this food sustainability instructional activity, students research the negative impact factory farming has on our environment due to pollution. Young scholars...
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Hawaii's Sandy Shores
Investigate Hawaii's sandy shore ecosystem! Start by creating a vocabulary list and having your class complete a KWL chart. Next, pass out the "I think of" sheet. Each learner will then choose a word from a beach bucket and add it to...
Berkshire Museum
Backyard Rocks
You don't have to travel far to learn about rocks, just step outside, pick up a stone, and begin investigating. After taking a class walk around the school grounds collecting rocks, young scientists practice their skills of observation...
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Human Body Corp.
Learners investigate body systems by participating in a role-play activity. Third, fourth, and fifth graders pretend that they are an organ or system of the human body, and they must write a letter to the body "corporation" discussing...
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Microscope Investigation
Students explore physical science by participating in a science examination. In this microscope tutorial instructional activity, students read the book The Naked Eye and discuss the purpose for using a microscope in the field of science....
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Life Science Observations: Living vs. Non Living Things
Students investigate the difference between living and non-living things. In this life science activity, students discover the different characteristics of living things and the natural or human created non-living things. Students...
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The Life Cycle of the Mealworm
Fourth graders provide a habitat for live mealworms and observe their life cycle. In this animal life cycle and scientific inquiry lesson, 4th graders create a habitat for a live mealworm and observe and record related data as it grows....
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Reducing the Impact of Drought
Students study the impact of drought and improve their writing skills. In this reducing the impact of drought lesson, students investigate various matters pertaining to drought. They share their findings and build knowledge about ways in...
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Bug's Eye View
Investigate the life of bugs and how they interact with the environment in this integrated science and language arts lesson. Young scientists construct mini environments in cages in order to make observations. This data forms the basis...
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Building A Solar Still
Learners investigate the water cycle by viewing an online video. In this drinking water lesson, students create solar stills at their campus in order to purify water that is tainted. Learners view a video on their computers about...
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Erosion Mountain
Students investigate the erosive impact of water. In this erosion lesson, students research the impact of water on terraced and non-terraced hillsides. Students create an erosion model to have a hands-on experience with the soil.
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Urban Life: What Lives in Our Schoolyard?
Students research living organisms by exploring their school grounds. In this microscopic observation lesson, students gather materials, insects, and objects from their playground and schoolyard and bring them into class. Students...
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Moon Phases - Finally Making Sense of Them
Students investigate the different phases of the moon. In this lunar cycle lesson, students create models of the sun, earth and moon and investigate why we observe the moon the way we do. Students observe a PowerPoint presentation...
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Comparing Deciduous and Evergreen Trees
Young scholars investigate nature by identifying different plants and trees. In this environmental field trip, students participate in a British Columbia expedition in which they identify cedar, pine, hemlock and Douglas fir trees. Young...
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Micro-Organisms
Students investigate microscopic life by viewing video clips. In this organisms lesson, students view photographs and video clips on the internet of micro-organisms and discuss the harms and benefits of the creatures. Students complete...
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Habitat Choice in Woodbugs
Learners investigate woodbugs. In this scientific investigation lesson, students explore the steps scientists take when conducting an investigation using live specimens. Learners explore habitat preferences for woodbugs in various...
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Pumpkin Science
Students investigate how plants grow by analyzing pumpkins. In this agricultural instructional activity, students read The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll, and draw pictures of a pumpkin in each of its growing stages. Students...