Chicago Botanic Garden
Understanding the Greenhouse Effect
Dive into the power of the sun with a two-part lesson. Budding scientists model the greenhouse effect in a hands-on activity, and then participate in a skit that explores the earth's energy balances and what really occurs in the...
NTTI
What Size Is It Anyway?
A fabulous plan on teaching basic concepts of measurement to young learners. Pupils use nonstandard units to measure length, practice using a ruler and a yardstick, compare the length of two objects, and perform estimations of length....
Curated OER
Likes and Dislikes
Learners recognize and use the vocabulary associated with vacationing at the beach and, while playing a bean-bag toss game, express likes and dislikes in first, second, and third person conjugations (Spanish exercise).
Curated OER
Exercise Stations
Students participate in station activities in P.E. In this physical education lesson, students do station activities. Students start out with a warm up exercise then make their way to dance, bowling, scooters, jump rope, and target...
Curated OER
My Senses Tell Me...
Students explore how to use their sense to draw conclusions. In this human biology lesson, students use their senses to observe various objects in learning centers. The centers include tasting salt, touching sandpaper, hearing bells and...
Curated OER
Is This Really Okay for Me? A Public Health Statistical Analysis
Future public health consultants are asked in a letter to help determine if a fictitious drug is causing birth defects in a population. They perform a simulation using beans and probability calculations to come to a conclusion. Note that...
Curated OER
Gravity - What is It?
There is scant information on these slides: definitions of gravity and force, and the fact that objects fall at the same speed. Two slides give learners an activity to try to demonstrate aspects of gravity. Although the activities are...
Curated OER
Hummingbird Nests
Now here's a hands-on activity that little ones are sure to love. Using melted chocolate, coconut, and jelly beans they'll be able to shape tiny nests perfect for tiny birds. Kids love getting their hands dirty and the tactile experience...
Curated OER
Using Tens and Ones
Students make bean sticks. In this place value lesson, students practice counting ones and tens by using craft sticks and beans to make counting sticks.
Curated OER
Identify the Pattern
Third graders develop a pattern using bean bags. They could kick the bean bag in the air with their left leg a certain number of times, etc. They work in pairs and trade off completely the patterns with one another.
Curated OER
PTO Meeting/Gym Show
A great idea to showcase the elementary school PE programs! A demonstration in front of the PTO and a way to get parents to come to the meeting because their child is performing. Highlight what your school is doing to promote healthy...
Curated OER
Ziploc Gardening
Students observe beans germinating in a plastic bag. In this bean growing lesson, students predict what their beans will look like. Students draw illustrations to record the changes in their bean plants. Students should also note the...
Curated OER
Holiday Gift Exchange
Students participate in a running or ball dribbling activity, delivering a bean bag across a certain distance to their partner. They deliver as many bean bags to their partner in a two minute time period.
Curated OER
Investigating Bean Pods and How They Grow
Third graders observe and create a record of seed growth over time. After planting a seed, 3rd graders record their observations of the seed's growth over a three week period. Upon conclusion of the experiment, they write a paragraph...
Curated OER
Star Wars® Dodge Ball
Put a new, action-filled spin on a classic game with Star Wars® Dodge Ball. Scholars turn into Jedis and lightsabers are used to save peers from sitting on the sidelines, all the while a bombardment of balls fly towards moving targets.
Curated OER
Coordination and Flexibility
Students practice controlling their motion and reflexes by participating in different motor skill activities. In this physical education lesson, students utilize bean bags and hula hoops to help create flexibility and coordination in...
Curated OER
Christmas Shopping
Young scholars work in teams in teams of two and they have a hula hoop which represents their shopping bag and two hockey sticks to gather presents. They use the other side of the gym that has bean bags and fleece balls, which are...
Curated OER
Hanukkah Game
Students participate in a game involving their motor skills. With a partner, they are given a menorah and bean bags and they decide who carries the candles. After discussing the history of Hanukkah, they practice their locomotive skills.
Curated OER
Valentine Rescue
Students play a Valentine's Day version of tag. They attempt to rescue bean bags (valentines) from one end of the play area and deliver them to another without getting tagged by a 'Hug' or 'Kiss'. Cupid can unfreeze any tagged players.
Curated OER
The Length of My Foot
Here is an excellent lesson for young learners who are just beginning to explore the concept of using units to measure length. They rotate through four classroom centers in order to gain practice in utilizing this important skill.
Curated OER
Beat the Grinch
Students move safely about the entire gym on scooters, picking up bean bags one at a time, placing them in a basket. This is a good warm up activity to be used for the first 5-10 minutes of class.
Curated OER
The Number Match Game
Kindergarteners practice matching words and symbols by playing an index card activity. They create flash cards numbered 0 to 20 and challenge each other in groups to identify the values of the numbers. Learners utilize beans or buttons...
Curated OER
Shoot the Garbage
Students participate in a game that focuses on the proper way to shoot a basketball. For this basketball lesson, students are divided into two groups and use foam balls and beanbags to score points. The winner is the team with the most...
Curated OER
Medieval Games
Students participate in a theme-based field day base on Medieval games. They integrate the field day activities into an academic study of medieval times.