Chicago Botanic Garden
Recognizing Change (Observation vs. Inference)
What is the difference between making inferences and making observations? Young climatologists refer to a PowerPoint to make observations on each slide. They record their observations in a provided worksheet before drawing a...
Curated OER
Observation and Inference
Assess your young scientists' understanding of the difference between observation and inference with this 20-question multiple choice quiz. It reviews a variety of physics and astronomy concepts, such as solar eclipses and sunspots, the...
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Science in baseball
Sixth graders examine how science is used in everyday activities, such as baseball.
K5 Learning
How Franklin Found Out Things
Franklin learns about the world by making observations, and so do we! A short reading assignment prompts fourth graders to answer comprehension questions about a curious boy and what he notices.
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Weather Observation Journal
Students record weather for a period of one month. In this weather lesson, students observe weather for one month on a large pictograph. Students record clouds, wind, temperature and any other weather conditions they observe. Students...
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Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson plan, students construct two simple machines and describe what they do. Students show that simple changes help machines do work with less effort. Students use a paper...
National Wildlife Federation
Get Your Techno On
Desert regions are hotter for multiple reasons; the lack of vegetation causes the sun's heat to go straight into the surface and the lack of moisture means none of the heat is being transferred into evaporation. This concept, and other...
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Classification of Animals
Students identify observable features of eight dinosaurs and create a sorting chart using SMART Notebook on a SMART Board (or, in case you do not have a SMART Board, a chalk or dry-erase board).
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Crickets Guided Discovery
Sixth graders investigate insect anatomy by analyzing a live cricket. In this insect science lesson, 6th graders discuss their knowledge of insects and describe their characteristics from memory. Students observe live...
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A is for . . .
Students discuss the difference between making inferences and observations. They practice making observations and inferences regarding an apple.
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Rocks on Parade!
Third graders describe and classify rock samples. In this rock lesson, 3rd graders make inferences about rock samples by observing and measuring them. This lesson contains 5 different stations for the students to go to.
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Energy Transformation
Students experiment with variety of materials to investigate, develop inferences, and differentiate between concepts of motion energy and heat energy, and the part played by friction in the transformation process.
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Can You See It, Touch It, Hear It?
Students develop and practice observational skills through lab activity.
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Hero Or Zero?
Learners investigate science and technology by reading a children's book. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read the story Archibald Frisby and discuss the ways we use science and technology in everyday life....
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Keep It Cool
Students complete a science experiment to study insulation, heat transfer, and permafrost. In this permafrost study lesson, students design and test a soda insulator. Students graph their class data and discuss the results. Students...
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Systems Working Together
Fourth graders practice reading in the content areas (science) in order to explore the interdependence of the body systems. They answer written questions after reading.
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Introduction to Density
Seventh graders discover the definition of density through a demonstration using ethanol and ice cubes and a class discussion using a SMART Board to illustrate formulas and calculations. Students finish the lesson plan by practicing...
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Weather Forecasting Basics
Eighth graders analyze weather diagrams and weather maps. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain why it is important to know the weather. They complete a handout at the end of the lesson.
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Introduction to Scientific Method
Students investigate safe laboratory procedures, classroom management guidelines, and group roles and procedures. They study a set of safety guidelines with their parents, and to sign a contract stating that they understand the...
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Touch and Discover
Students identify the physical properties of items using the sense of touch. In this touch and discover instructional activity, students describe items. Students sort items using a Venn diagram.
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Graphics Creation and Statistical Interpretation: Relating Local Economics and the Global Environment
Students apply statistics, and graphical interpretation to economics, the environment and populations. In this statistical lesson students construct graphical displays and classify data.
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Clouds
Students explore clouds. In this weather lesson, students identify the steps in the water cycle, define condensation and evaporation, and relate this information to cloud formation. Students perform a cloud experiment,...
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Temperature
Students understand that temperatures in Alaska can be negative numbers. In this temperature lesson, students recognize the temperatures above and below zero. Students compare temperatures using the greater than and less than signs....
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Activity #4 What Do Equations Mean?
Students practice with writing and balancing simple chemcial equations. they comprehend that chemical equations are a method of using a set of univeral symbols to represent what happens experimentally in chemical reactions. Pupils...