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Kwanzaa Science
Students study the parts of a plant in order to better understand the muhindi as one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa.
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Where is Everyone Going?
Students conduct an experiment. In this emergency response activity, students watch videos about hurricanes and discuss the difference between natural disasters and man-made disasters. Students perform a hurricane demonstration and...
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Observation Hike
Students participate in an observational hike to study the natural surroundings. In this observational hike instructional activity, students hike through a state park and observe the plant and animal life. Students learn about...
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Model Volcanoes
Students discover what causes earthquakes, volcanoes and floods. Using this information, they discuss how these natural disasters change the surface of the Earth. In groups, they make models, draw pictures and make them erupt.
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Using Inspiration To Support Logical Reasoning
Learners share descriptions of science experiments they have conducted. They create a thin film on the surface of water in order to float light objects and observe that a paper clip does, indeed, float on the surface of the water at...
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Our Treasured Trees
Students discuss natural resources and renewable resources with trees being considered renewable resources which need special attention. In this Earth science activity, students write a list of reasons for why it would be good to stop...
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Many Happy Returns
Young scholars compare the journey of Lewis and Clark with the space flight of Apollo 11. Students sequence events using a timeline. Young scholars write a persuasive essay trying to persuade the people of the US to support space...
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Shine On, Moon
Students explore space science by conducting an experiment in class. In this Moon lesson, students define a list of space science vocabulary and read the book The Moon. Students utilize shoeboxes and string to conduct a sunlight...
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Water, Water Everywhere: The Johnstown Flood
Young scholars analyze the events that lead up to the failure of the South Fork Dam and the impact the flood had on the region. In this historical instructional activity students develop presentations on the Johnstown Flood.
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Our Poetic Planet : Writing Poems about the Earth
Students share their thoughts regarding nature. In this poetry lesson, students compose poems in different formats that feature weather and clouds.
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John Muir in California
Fourth graders listen to key events in John Muir's life and plot locations on a California map. They discover that John Muir was an immigrant to California who encountered environmental problems and found solutions.
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Threatened, Endangered & Extinct Lesson Plan
Students examine the basic needs of living organisms. In this science instructional activity, students study ecosystems and discover that organisms have basic needs that must be met.
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Poetry and Observations
Students compare poetry and the night sky. In this poetry lesson plan, students read poetry and compare the imagery from the poem with the night sky. Students explore how science and poetry relate to one another.
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Natural Inquirer
Students interview wildlife experts to gain information needed to research and write a report about an aquatic plant or animal affected by climate change.
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Volcano Lesson Plans
Volcano and earthquake lessons can provide a great way to link science instruction to current events.
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Weathering and Erosion
Fourth graders take a look at the effects of weathering and other geologic activities found in the environments in which they live. Along with a guided geologic walk outside of campus, there is also an effective in-class demonstration of...
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What Happened?
Students read legends about volcanoes. They develop their own legend and shares them with the class. They practice their writing skills as well.
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Model Volcanoes
Students represent volcanoes with models and sketches. They research volcanoes and plan how to build a model. They, in groups, build a model volcano and cause it to erupt making observations before and after the eruption.
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The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry
With The Great Kapok Tree, by Lynne Cherry as the hook learners discuss the rainforest, the animals that live there, and conservation efforts. Then, students write a letter to the man in the story asking him not to cut down the Kapok...
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Urban Ecosystems 4: Metabolism of Urban Ecosystems
Cities are compared to living, breathing, metabolizing organisms. Fourth in a five-part series of lessons, this one focuses on the flow of materials through a city. Links to interesting websites and images make your delivery of...
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Sink It
Introduce your class to the concept of sinking and floating. In groups, they classify objects after making predictions about which materials will sink or float. They record their results and create graphs and charts to share with the class.
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Migration Activation
Students play the role of migrating birds. As a class, they simulate a migration of birds to one place and back again. They relate their habitat size and changes to their current population numbers. They discover the many dangers of...
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Urban Ecosystems 2: Why are There Cities? A Historical Perspective
Second in a series of five lessons, this lesson encourages preteens to consider cities as urban ecosystems. First, they keep a food diary for a few days. They visit the Natrional Agricultural Statistics Service website for current data...
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Sculptures from the Skies
Fourth graders research the design of the aircraft used by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk. They design a sculpture of aircraft using recycled materials.