Curated OER
Compare Human-made Objects with Natural Objects
Learners examine and observe how many human-made objects get their basic design from things in nature. They listen to the book "Nature Got There First," compare/contrast hollow bones with drinking straws, bird beaks and tool pliers, and...
Curated OER
Understanding How Potatoes Grow
Second graders make a KWL chart and brainstorm what they need for the project of growing potatoes. They choose one potato and plant it in water or peat moss cups and choose a location in which meets the needs of the plants and make their...
Curated OER
Close to Home
Fourth graders examine habitats for animals by creating their own in class environment. For this environment lesson, 4th graders research the Internet for information on certain wild animals and the places in which they live....
Curated OER
Chemical Formulas
Students assess how to go from writing ionic chemical formulas to nomenclature and naming chemical compounds. They brainstorm former studies and share their thoughts in small groups. A list of everyday products (shampoos, toothpaste,...
Curated OER
Life in a Forest Stream
Students assess macro-invertebrates from a stream. In this science lesson plan, students observe, classify and identify organisms found in a stream. A lab station is constructed at the stream sight and students study the different...
Curated OER
Hypothermia: Temperature Changes Under Varying Conditions
Students conduct an experiment to determine what type of clothing would be most suitable for outdoor activities. They determine the temperature changes of the skin under various wet clothing materials and graph the temperature changes. ...
Curated OER
Using and Creating a Dichotomous Key
Students assess what a dichotomous key is and how it identifies objects in a group through a process of answering yes/no-type questions about certain objects. They examine an interactive graphic key on sea turtles and then create their...
Curated OER
Bacteria and Illness
Students research information on bacterium and their relationship to food borne diseases. In this science lesson plan, students complete internet research to construct and analyze the growth cure of common bacterium...
Curated OER
Apply Scienctific Inquiry and Scientific Habits Of Mind
Pupils describe science experience with appropriate attributes, units, and tools. They formulate inquiry question associated with the science experiences and curricular concepts from observations through class brainstorming. Pupils...
Curated OER
Science Inquiry Lesson: Mapping Project
Students explore the methods of creating maps. They create a map of Animas River Park using a compass and measuring tape, develop a single map from the team map sections, and devise another map of the Animas River Park using a GPS unit.
Curated OER
Science Lab Safety Procedures
Eighth graders watch a Lab Safety video and discuss particular questions related to lab safety. Lab equipment is then distributed and the students inspect the equipment and record their finding in their journal. Finally, in groups, 8th...
Curated OER
Science Inventions
Third graders explore the world of inventions by describing their impact on their own lives. In this technology instructional activity, 3rd graders practice writing descriptive paragraphs about different inventions that they find...
Curated OER
Are Enzymes Specific for Their Substrates?
Young scholars discover enzyme to substrate specificity. The experiment uses samples of glucose and lactose in combination with the enzyme lactase. Students observe the reaction between the lactose and the lactase; the lack of a...
Multiverse
Rainbows of Light: The Visible Light Spectrum
Rainbows can teach us about the visible light spectrum. Learners observe multiple items that clearly display a rainbow to develop better connections. The lesson then explains wavelength using a rope to make waves.
Curated OER
String Cells
Use this resource to have your class learn about the cell. This resource walks learners through the construction of a model of a cell. This project is completed in a cooperative learning group, and reinforces the higher-order...
Curated OER
The Science of Shadow Puppets
Students explore the art of shadow puppetry. In this performing arts activity, students study the functions of lighting in the puppet theater as they examine the transmission, absorption, and reflection of light. As a culminating...
Curated OER
Building Brilliant Bar Graphs
Everything you need for a mini-unit on bar graphs is included in this lesson plan! It outlines three lessons and includes worksheets. Learners taste pretzels, shoot baskets (switching off hands), and grab candy, graphing results...
Curated OER
Carving Stone with Copper
Students explain the properties of copper as a material for making tools and explain the properties of different chisel points. They gain practice taking notes on qualitative and quantitative data.
Curated OER
Current Topics in Biotechnology
Eleventh graders are introduced to the concept of biotechnology. Using the internet, they research the latest developments in this field and the tools used by biotechnologists. They share their information with the class and create a...
TPS Journal
Sourcing a Document: The First Thanksgiving
How reliable is a painting of the first Thanksgiving if it was created 300 years after the fact? Learners assess the validity of a primary source image to determine what it can actually reveal about this event.
Mr. Nussbaum
Battle of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, the site of the Civil War's first battle, taught the Union and the Confederacy an important lesson: they would both need to take stronger steps than anticipated if they wanted to win the war. History pupils read about the...
Curated OER
The Price of Beauty: What you don't know might hurt you
Young scholars study cosmetic safety issues and concerns raised by advocacy groups. They create a cosmetic safety brochure designed for the average consumer, to create awareness about cosmetic safety concerns.
Shodor Education Foundation
Linear Function Machine
What goes in must come out! Learners play with a function machine to determine the correct function. They enter input values and watch as the machine produces the output.
Institute for Teaching through Technology and Innovative Practices
The Right Number of Elephants
How can you tell if a number of items is reasonable? Combine math and language arts with a fun lesson based on Jeff Shepard's The Right Number of Elephants. After reading the book, kids discuss amounts of other items and create...