Curated OER
Minerals Commonly Found in the Home
In this mineral learning exercise, students collect 5 common household items that contain minerals and analyze them. After filling in a data table, students complete 3 short answer conclusion questions.
Curated OER
Classification Scheme
Fourth graders discuss different classification schemes for living organisms. They group common household items to discover many ways to classify organisms. Students compare/contrast characteristics of each classification.
Space Awareness
Meet Our Neighbors: Sun
The sun isn't just a ball of yellow! Young scientists learn about the features of the sun using a hands-on modeling activity. They build models of the sun using common household items to represent sunspots, solar prominence, and the...
California Academy of Science
Fish Forms
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you can add art to any lesson! While little learners are discovering why fish have specific body parts such as, scales, fins, and gills, they start making three-dimensional fish forms. Children...
National Library of Medicine
Your Environment, Your Health: Chemicals in Your Home
Many people know about chemical pollution, but are all chemicals bad? The third unit in a series of six addresses chemicals common in everyday life. Scholars learn about the chemicals found in their own homes, chemical safety, and...
Curated OER
Meet the Plants
Are you looking for a PowerPoint that identifies and explains the job each plant part performs? Perhaps you've found it! Examples of different types of plants, as well as common household items derived from plants are included. The text...
Curated OER
Investigating Brass Instruments and Pitch
Students observe the sounds of different brass instruments in order to understand how to create different pitches. In this musical instructional activity, students create a "brass" instrument from everyday household objects. The students...
Curated OER
Landforms in a Tub
Fifth graders use common household items to build landforms and simulate weathering and erosion.
Curated OER
Classification of Matter
Students investigate common household items and classify them into types of matter. In this matter activity, students group given items into categories based on their characteristics. They also complete a concept map about matter and...
Curated OER
Designing An Investigation
Students will design a scientific investigation. In this engineering design lesson, students will set up an investigation, collect data and form a conclusion about bridge design. They will use common household items to construct their...
Curated OER
Make Your Own Compass
Students explore magnetism. In this "magnets" science lesson, students make a compass with common household items and explain the relationship between what a compass does and the earth's magnetic fields.
Curated OER
Making Paper
Students explore paper making. In this cross curriculum multicultural ecology and art lesson, students follow written and oral instructions to make paper using common household items. Students predict the amount of paper use in their...
Curated OER
Household Things that Fly and Why!!!
Students examine the four forces of flight. In this flight lesson, students test to see which types of items will fly. Students make predictions on whether the item will fly or not. Students gain knowledge about lift, gravity, thrust and...
LABScI
The Separation Lab: Candy Colors
There's no better motivator than candy! An engaging activity has pupils explore methods for separating mixtures. A two-part lab first explores methods of separation based on size and magnetism. The second activity introduces learners to...
Curated OER
Sometimes, solid + liquid = gas
Third graders experiment with common household liquids and solids. In this chemical reaction lesson, 3rd graders discuss phase changes and experiment to find other ways to create gases. They use water, vinegar, lemon juice, flour, baking...
Curated OER
Conductive Heat Transfer Experiments
Students conduct a variety of experiments to see how heat is transferred using common household objects. The teacher uses the safety plans included in the lesson plan. This is ideal for inexperienced Science teachers.
Curated OER
The Colors of Chemistry
Students investigate the acidity and alkalinity of common household products in an experiment. They use red cabbage juice and litmus paper to show the difference between strong acids and bases as they work with vinegar, dish washing...
Curated OER
Acids, Bases, and pH
Students investigate acids, bases,and pH. They test the acidity and basicity of various household items using litmus paper. Using their results, they rank the substances according to pH and identify the contributing chemical on the label.
British Council
Upcycling
It's time for a new life! Scholars learn what it means to give products new life by upcycling. They complete a crossword puzzle, read and discuss an article, and play a game about upcycling ideas.
Florida International University
Pipeline to the Coral Reefs
Discover firsthand the effects of internal waves on coral reefs. Through a series of experiments, learners simulate internal waves and upwelling events as they make observations on the movement of water and other debris. They then...
Curated OER
Chemical Changes
Students compare types of chemical change. In this chemical reaction lesson, students use a variety of household items to investigate different types of chemical change. Students will engage in a discussion about the dangers of chemicals...
Curated OER
Making A Terrarium
Learners make a terrarium from common household items that are brought to class. They can be creative with materials but the method is set for how the mini-lab is set up. Students read a book about an ecosystem to stimulate the topic for...
Curated OER
Minerals In Your House
In this science instructional activity, students find the answers to the ten questions that relate common household items to having types of minerals in them.
Curated OER
Getting Down to Basics (and Acidics)
Seventh graders investigate acids and bases. In this acids and bases lesson, 7th graders use household items such as coffee, lemons and soap to define acids and bases. They observe a demonstration to show how indicators determine if a...