Whales are all big, but some are larger than others! Kids will love sorting the 10 whale species by size at their desk (whale cut-outs provided). Next, use a whale rope to visualize how long each of these whales actually is. A large...

In this space travel worksheet, students will write a short essay about taking a trip to another galaxy including details about where they would go, how long the trip would take, and what they would see along the way.

What is a Leap Year and why do we have it? Find out with this Leap Day/Leap Year response to reading activity in which scholars read a short passage and use their new-found knowledge to answer five questions with short...

Learners explore cells. In this science lesson plan, students investigate how the cell is the basic unit of life, that cells divide slowly to become mass of cells, and that there is a gradual loss of cells throughout life.

Third graders conduct research on the solar system. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders will work in groups of four to create a power point presentation from their findings. They divide the research amongst the members in their...

Students divide into groups of four or five and distribute materials to design StarDarts by drawing and cutting out 6-8 cardstock stars, each about one and a half inches across. They decorate their stars with phosphorescent paint...

Students investigate U.S. geography by exploring it's bodies of water. In this river formation instructional activity, students identify the reasons rivers are needed in our country by reading assigned text. Students examine a diagram...

Young scholars explore the long distances and timescales involved in space travel. They track the progress of the New Horizons spacecraft and access the New Horizons website to discover the distance of the spacecraft from the Sun, and...

Learners sort and compare/contrast the lengths of various whales. They sort pictures of whales in order of smallest to largest, and given a rope marked with the lengths of the whales, they compare the actual lengths of the whales.

Hands-on stations in which groups of primary learners experience what mirrors can do provide opportunities for experimenting and authentic discovery. Recording their observations in complete sentences seems age-inappropriate. Drawing...

Young scientists grab their measuring tapes, rulers, and yard sticks as they see how big Arctic animals really are. To conceptualize the trait of height or length, each small group will measure out the entire length of an arctic animal....

In 2006, New Horizons began its mission to fly to Pluto. As it continues its journey, scholars track its progress with the help of an informative website, all the while reinforcing measurement concepts with the construction of a scaled...

Create a scaled model of our solar system in your classroom! Scholars work collaboratively to build paper mache planets and hang them in their proper position to showcase each planet's location in the solar system.   

Your pupils may believe that you and their parents are the oldest things in the universe, but surprise! There are elements of the universe that are even older. Elementary scientists create a class timeline to demonstrate the...

Convey your interest in conveyor belts. By considering different size tubes, groups create a conveyor belt that can transport boxes of candy at least four feet. Also, the conveyor belt must make a 90-degree turn—quite a difficult task!

If a ski lift had rockets, imagine how fast it would be! Scholars let their imaginations take flight as they build models for such a ski lift. Rather than using a rocket, though, they'll use a much safer balloon as the power source.

Young scholars explain the concepts of tension and compression, and then state the purpose of suspension bridges. They also study some of the most famous suspension bridges in North America.

Learners discuss the methods of energy transfer. In this energy transfer activity, students use ice to demonstrate what happens when energy is transferred. Learners complete a Science Journal page as an assessment.

Students trace the migration route of a gray whale. They color and label a map of North America, and using photocopy pictures of a gray whale, they move the whale along the migration route over a ten week period.

Students take nature walks to collect items from the environment such as leaves, shells, branches, feathers, and seeds. Working in groups, they assemble their items into mobiles and display them in the classroom.

Students explore electricity. After watching a PowerPoint presentation, students discuss the composition of electricity and how it is made. They participate in discovery activities by rotation through four activity stations set up on the...

Students identify the parts of a landfill. In this ecology lesson, students use various ingredients to create an edible landfill snack. For example, students use fruit roll-ups for plastic liner and crushed graham crackers for gravel.

Students investigate companion planting. In this  communtiy gardening lesson students explore the tradition of the Native American Three Sisters gardening approach. Students act as botanists, anthropologists, folklorists, and curators.

Students create a timeline of the times dinosaurs lived.  In this  dinosaur timeline lesson, students research the various periods when dinosaurs lived. Students work in groups to research the dinosaurs of a specific time...