Curated OER
Waste Not Want Not
Young scholars are introduced to the need to save natural resources. Through inquiry, hands-on activities, and problem solving, students increase their understanding of solid waste materials and the need to reduce, recycle, and reuse.
Curated OER
Alaska Native Ways of Knowing
Pupils watch a video on the Alaskan native ways. They examine how knowledge was passed down from elders and how the Alaskans lived with harmony in nature. Learners then prepare and present a classroom science fair project based on their...
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...
California Academy of Science
Poetic Reflections
Poetry is a wonderful way to explore language, express topical understanding, and incite creative thinking. After a trip to the local natural history museum (or zoo), learners write an acrostic or a cinquain poem describing one of their...
Channel Islands Film
Magic Isle: Lesson Plan 1
What are the factors that limit growth and expansion? As part of their study of Catalina Island, class members view the West of the West's documentary Magic Isle and research William Wrigley and the Santa Catalina Island Company. After...
Curated OER
Fabrics and Polymers
Students explore natural resources by reading a science story in class. In this fibers lesson, students identify and discuss the differences between fibers such as wool, silk, rayon, linen and cotton. Students identify the common uses of...
Curated OER
Life Science Observations: Living vs. Non Living Things
Students investigate the difference between living and non-living things. For this life science lesson, students discover the different characteristics of living things and the natural or human created non-living things. Students...
Curated OER
The Amazing Ant
Students explain that ants are an important element of nature's balance. Ants eat many insects and are food to other animals. They watch a video and conduct hands-on activities that give them an excellent overview of the ants role in...
Curated OER
Using Greek and Latin Roots to Help Students Learn Vocabulary in Science Classes
You can help students confidently approach science vocabulary by teaching them about Greek and Latin roots.
Curated OER
Ready-Set-Tech: When a Volcano Erupts
Wouldn't it be a blast to uncover the science behind volcanic eruptions? Explore, research, and examine the nature of volcanoes with three fun hands-on projects kids will love. First the class takes to the Internet to research volcanoes....
Curated OER
The Physics of Flight
Three activities allow young flight engineers to understand the 4 principles of flight (weight, lift, thrust, and drag), to construct a glider, and to create a propeller. Multicultural history and literature are integrated by reading...
Curated OER
Elements for Disaster Reporting
Students identify the elements of natural disasters and gain an understanding on how the media influences people's responses to disasters. In this natural disaster lesson plan, students study the impact of natural disasters, and the...
Curated OER
Cyclones
Students explore Earth science by researching natural disasters in class. In this cyclone lesson, students discuss the creation of cyclones and what their potential destruction can be in the wrong environment. Students read assigned text...
Curated OER
Buildings Have Lives, Too: Disasters and Their Effect on People
Students research natural disasters and their lasting effect on both people and the environment. In this environmental science activity, students complete a group project on a natural disaster of their choosing. Students examine multiple...
Curated OER
Teaching with Nature
Students participate in a nature walk to learn about their natural environments. For this nature study lesson, students brainstorm a list of things to look for on their nature walk. Students go on the nature walk and locate objects they...
Curated OER
Points of View in Nature
For this points of view in nature worksheet, students choose two points of view for a nature observation then draw a picture or take of photo for each, and write a caption.
Curated OER
Earth Day/Nature Vocabulary
In this nature vocabulary worksheet, students identify nature vocabulary words by choosing the correct word for each picture. Students complete 18 problems.
Curated OER
Tools: Science Stations
Students explore technology by completing engineering activities in class. In this simple tools lesson, students utilize three science stations to perform tasks using a nutcracker, bottle openers, hammers and other tools. Students review...
Curated OER
It's a Wrap!
Students read about the importance of packaging foods and related items properly and reducing waste. In this packaging lesson, students read the background information about packaging and bring a variety of packaging materials to class....
Berkshire Museum
Adopt a Schoolyard Tree
Help young scientists connect with nature and learn about trees with a fun life science lesson plan. Heading out into the school yard, children choose a tree to adopt, taking measurements, writing descriptions, and drawing sketches of it...
Curated OER
Falling Leaves Poetry Spinners
Why settle for autumn leaves as classroom decorations when you could use autumn poetry? After taking a nature walk and collecting fall artifacts, including seed pods and fallen leaves, learners demonstrate the movement of the season with...
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Pesky Plastics: The Problem with Plastic
What can happen to the environment if plastic continues to pollute it? Learners read about the implications of plastic on health, water, and nature in a two-page reading passage. After they finish reading, they work on six comprehension...
Curated OER
Natural Inquirer Lesson: Scientific Abstracts
Young scholars practice scientific observation by writing abstracts. For this science reporting lesson, students identify the 4 segments of a scientific abstract, what the problem is, how it was studied, what was found and the...
Curated OER
Forces of Nature Word Search Worksheet
In this forces of nature word search instructional activity, students analyze 14 words in a word box pertaining to weather and the force of nature. Students find these in a word search puzzle.