Curated OER
Home on the Biome
Fifth graders study six major biomes, graph temperature and rainfall, and present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
The Acid Rain Test
Fourth graders engage in a research project to increase their ability to conduct experiments, interpret data and discuss results in a scientific paper. After doing a lab which simulates effects of acid rain, pairs of students write a...
Curated OER
Carnivorous Plants: A Bugs Nightmare!
Students research carnivorous plants and how they trap insects. They role play as botanists to write a research field guide about a newly discovered imaginary carnivorous plant.
Curated OER
Investigate Factors Affecting Nitrates in Groundwater
Learners participate in an experiment in which they investigate the factors affecting the levels of nitrates in groundwater. Using examples, they explain the nitrogen cycle and identify the sources of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. ...
Curated OER
Biodiversity: El Imposible National Park, El Salvador
Fifth graders explore the concept of how the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more interdependence of species exists within that system. The complex relationships among diverse species are difficult to identify. As species disappear or...
Curated OER
Life in a Cup
Third graders make and maintain a mini terrarium. They keep a daily journal of what happens in their terrarium and record daily observations and measurements.
Curated OER
Habitat Unit - Day 2
Students explore abiotic factors that affect habitats. After a class lecture, students work in groups to answer questions about plant tissue, production and growth. They share answers, complete a crossword puzzle, and create a habitat...
Curated OER
Spinning the Eco Web
Students examine the components and relationships of ecoregions and ecosystem management. They define ecoregion and ecosystem, list ecoregions, and participate in a simulation that demonstrates the connections between parts of the...
Curated OER
Science: Putting Down Roots
Fourth graders, in small groups, observe plants and note their characteristics. After drawing pictures of the plants, including their roots systems, they hypothesize in which environments the plants would best thrive. Finally, 4th...
Curated OER
Geography and World History
Students build off of their current knowledge of geography and world history, while being introduced to new concepts and ideas.
Curated OER
How Tall are Plants?
First graders measure a plant using unifix cubes and record their measurements on a class chart.
Curated OER
University of California Botanical Garden Field Trip
Students explore plant species and the climates and conditions in their environment. They explore this living museum on the Garden's thirty-four acres to encounter over 13,000 plant species from around the globe.
Curated OER
Farming the Southern Colonies
Seventh graders investigate the basis for farming choices in the early colonies by using group research and discussion. Each group researches a topic that they write about and present to the rest of the class.
Curated OER
The Impact of the Dust Bowl as Shown Through Photography
Seventh graders examine and discuss photographs and paintings of the Dust Bowl era. They write a journal entry describing what it would be like if they stepped into one of the photographs, and create a Powerpoint presentation on the Dust...
Curated OER
Build a Prairie!
Students research the plants and animals in the prairie environment. They conduct Internet research, and follow directions to construct a simulated prairie.
Curated OER
Science: How Tall Are Plants
First graders investigate plant growth and examine what factors contribute to plant growth. They keep a class chart of plant growth and write about and illustrate their conclusions.
Curated OER
A Fish in Water
First graders, with a goldfish as a class pet, practice the proper way to care for a pet and have responsibilities when it comes to taking care of the fish. As a class, the teacher reads the book "Fish Out of Water".
Curated OER
Become a Member of the Mission to Mars Team
Students examine the various jobs of the Mars Mission Team, organize them into categories and write a formal application for a position on the Mars Mission. Entries are made into the logbook and on-line Field Journals read.
Curated OER
How Can You Detect the Invisible?
Learners participate in a lab activity in which they examine the characteristics of radon. They identify radon's link to cases of lung cancer. They complete a radon fact sheet and answer questions to end the instructional activity.
Curated OER
The Heartland
Students note how personal perceptions influence the understanding of what a region. They look at an agricultural map of what is considered to be the Heartland of the US. They read the words to George Strait's, America's Heartland to see...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Cool Views
Students define preservation and conservation before listening to an article read by the teacher about John Muir and Gifford Pinchot, famous environmentalists. They complete a Venn diagram before deciding which side of this environmental...
Curated OER
Scientific Investigation- Magnets
Young scholars conduct a scientific investigation to determine if a magnet attracts paper clips through different materials. Students write out their procedures, collect data and present it in a table or chart, and analyze their results.
Curated OER
Leaking Underground/ Storage Tanks
Students engage in a lesson that is about the concept of storage tanks and how they are used. The advantages and disadvantages of them is discussed with the facts given by the teacher during lecture and concurrent discussion.