Curated OER
Current Earthquake Activity
Fifth graders record any earthquake activity throughout the school year on various maps. In groups, they identify a map locating the points given to them by their teacher. To end the lesson plan, they add the date, strength and damage to...
Curated OER
Investigating the Climate System WEATHER
Students research, interpret, and become able to explain general characteristics of weather in tropical regions. Students observe and compare tropical and mid-latitude weather patterns.
Curated OER
Growing Vegetable Soup
Students use children's literature in order to think about the concept of creating a garden. This is done through conducting simple research about types of plants that could be grown in the area and how to care for them. Then the garden...
Prince William Network
The Incredible Journey
Divide your school gym into breeding grounds and non-breeding grounds so that your zoologists can play a game simulating the seasonal migration of shorebirds. Players pick one of the included game cards and follow its directions, which...
Curated OER
Amazon Rainforest: You Won't Find George in This Jungle
Learners identify locations of rainforests, compare/contrast layers of the rainforest, construct and interpret maps and graphs, recognize relationships between man and the environment, and write about an imaginary walk in the rainforest.
Curated OER
Species on the Edge
Learners study science. In this endangered species lesson, students examine sea turtles and actions that can be taken to help keep them alive. They work in small groups to research different species of turtles and share their information...
Curated OER
Burs in Your Furs
Learners explore the concept of animal welfare. For this wild animal habitats lesson, students discover the work of wild animals in sustaining their habitats as they participate in a classroom simulation. Learners discuss how wildlife...
Curated OER
Energy Efficiency in the Home
Students discover ways to conserve energy in their homes. In this energy efficiency lesson students analyze a set of data and design a solution that results in higher energy efficiency.
Curated OER
Naming Zoo Animals (In Navajo)
Students investigate zoo animals and name various zoo animals in Navajo. They take a field trip to the zoo, take digital pictures of various animals, conduct research, and name each animal in Navajo.
Curated OER
Bugs, Bugs, Everywhere!
Students collect and compare bugs using magnifying lenses and graph data based on their comparisons. In this bugs lesson plan, students also make an aspirator by using a jar, tubing, and screen.
Curated OER
Fresh Greens In The Home
Pupils engage in the study of nutritional food choices that include fresh greens. They investigate the benefits of using simple planting techniques. The lesson also includes recipes for students to try out the habit of eating more food...
Curated OER
Plants and Animals: Partners in Pollination
Students describe the complementary relationships between pollinators and the plants they pollinate, identify adaptations that flowers have developed to "encourage" pollination, and create and draw their own "designer" flowers.
Curated OER
Animal Poetry
Fourth graders write poems that use local wildlife as their inspiration. After a class discussion which produces a list of wildlife that pupils have seen in their town, a review of three types of poetry ensues. They look at how haiku,...
Smithsonian Institution
Watching Crystals Grow
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Curated OER
Chart Making for Navigators
Students discuss the importance and function of nautical maps for sailors. They, in groups, take soundings of a simulated bay in a shoebox and develop a nautical chart that enable them to navigate the shoebox safely.
Curated OER
Aquatic Exotics
Students identify and describe the aquatic exotic species found in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the species origins and discover their effects on native species in the area. They discuss how appropriate it is to introduce...
Curated OER
River Research
Students use the internet to research the streams and rivers found in Illinois. Using the information, they identify and describe the rivers and streams along with the physical characteristics of a river ecosystem. They share what they...
Curated OER
Salt Marsh in a Pan
Students create a model of a salt marsh to discover the impact of pollution and human activities on water-based habitats including bays and the ocean. They recognize the relationship between natural and developed areas. Students impact...
Curated OER
The Game of Life
Young scholars explore the game of life which refers to what happens to a species when most of the population is gone. In this endangered species activity, students describe what it means for a marine animal to be endangered. Young...
Curated OER
Biome Discovery Expedition
Young scholars research similarities and differences among biomes online. They simulate job of zoo planners, and depart on expedition to decide which biome the city zoo should construct, as well as which plants and animals to include in...
Earth Day Network
Healthy Earth, Sick Earth
Earth is sick and needs our help! Read the children's book Planet Earth Gets Well to explain the various problems facing the planet, discussing what young conservationists can do to heal the planet along the way. A great Earth Day...
Curated OER
Centripetal Force
In order to investigate cetntripetal force and angular momentum, youngsters compare the motion of erasers hung from a string. It is not clear what type of Amish toy is needed in the warm up activity, so you may not be able to use it. The...
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-Miss Spider's New Car
Learners read Miss Spider's New Car by David Kirk. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of spiders. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library connections.
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-Two Eyes, A Nose, and A Mouth
Young scholars read Two Eyes, A Nose, and A Mouth by Roberta Grobel Intrater. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding faces and facial features. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social...