University of Minnesota
Mirroring Emotions
Do you ever give your class the "teacher look"? Without saying a word, they become silent and engaged (hopefully). How do they know what you're thinking? Explore the concept of nonverbal communication and how it relates to our...
Teach Engineering
Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Teach your class how to get out of a cell — or break in. The third installment in a seven-part series introduces the class to cell membranes and their functions. The lesson plan includes information to present to the class,...
Curated OER
Amazing Australia (Grade K)
Students listen as the teacher reads "Possum Magic" to them. They watch the movie of the book, and create a T graph illustrating the differences and similarities between the book and movie. They research an animal and print a picture in...
Curated OER
Fresh Foods from Farm to Table
Are you a good egg? Learners begin a farm-to-table lesson by acting out verbs in groups to demonstrate the egg production process, and then research the steps using online resources. Several excellent videos are linked through the...
Curated OER
Earth Pockets
Students identify the Earth's natural resources. In this Earth science lesson, students read the book The Great Kapok Tree and discuss types of natural resources. Students use categories such as wood, paper, and trees and list items that...
Acoustical Society of America
Anatomy of a Wave
Pair physical science learners up, and have one describe a transverse wave while the other blindly attempts to draw it. Then reveal an actual diagram and explain the different parts of the wave: crest, trough, wavelength. Though most of...
Curated OER
Our Nation's Natural Disasters
Sixth graders classify their regions' natural disaster(s). Within this lesson students enhance their research skills by utilizing different resources, as well as their writing skills by composing short research papers.
Exploratorium
Moire Patterns
By overlapping combs and window screening and by looking at a printed set of consecutively larger circles, learners observe Moire patterns, which provide a visual of what happens during wave interference.
A to Z Teacher Stuff
Word Search Match
Go beyond a traditional word search with a clue matching, word search combo. Scholars read clues, write the word that matches, then search for the word in a puzzle. Clues and words offer insight into the life of polar bears.
Curated OER
Expanding Views of Learning Through iChat AV
Students identify a science topic they would like to present in a lesson. They use a digital video camera to film interviews with children in a K-8 classroom about how they think regarding that specific science topic. Pupils use iMovie...
Curated OER
How to Use Technology to Teach Landforms
Students create a landform table on the computer. In this geography instructional activity, students use Microsoft Word to design a 3 column table. They list different landforms, examples, and attach a picture of each.
Curated OER
Career Exploration
Young scholars investigate possible career paths in forestry they may pursue. For this vocational lesson, students discover the many careers possible in the world of science by researching teacher approved career websites on the...
Curated OER
Sorting and Graphing Animals
Students inquire about animals using SIRS Discoverer or eLibrary Elementary. In this organizing data lesson, students sort pictures of animals in various ways and develop graphs. Students locate a mammal, reptile, fish, insect or...
Curated OER
Seasons
Young scholars identify and define the vocabulary words: summer, spring, fall, and rotation. They describe how the earth's rotation affects the seasons. Students match appropriate clothing with each season. They discuss why a...
Energy for Keeps
The Energy Times
Extra! Extra! Read all about past and present energy use in a classroom-made historical newspaper. Useful as a cross-curricular assignment between science, history, and language arts, the project is sure to get young journalists...
Curated OER
Beyond The Earth Part I
Students explore the solar system. In this space science lesson, students take notes on the solar system provided by their instructors. Students then collaborate to design a computer-generated drawing of the solar system.
Curated OER
How Much is that Doggy in the Window?
Students use Internet resources to explore information associated with owning a dog. They participate in an on-line scavenger hunt to expand their knowledge of pet ownership.
Curated OER
Beyond the Earth Part II
Learners explore the solar system. In this solar system lesson, students use Internet and print resources to research a component of the solar system. Learners create travel brochures based on their research findings.
Acoustical Society of America
Musical Instruments Part I - Woodwinds
What is the connection between sound and vibration? Learners find out as they conduct a series of experiments with instruments they create. The experiment is well explained, includes modifications for visuall and hearing impaired...
Curated OER
Water Supply
Fourth graders explore weather patterns by completing an Internet project. In this water cycle lesson, 4th graders read assigned text including a Magic School Bus book about precipitation and water. Students complete a water science...
Curated OER
A Whole Lotta Changin' Goin' On
Here's a fabulous lesson on the life cycle of a butterfly. Youngsters are able to identify and understand the four stages of life. They construct models of a caterpillar and write a sequence story about the life of a butterfly. This...
NASA
Science Fiction Story
A instructional activity allows you to go back in time and see the big bang actually happen. Bazinga! In reality, pupils research the Big Bang Theory and theorize what it would be like to go back in time and see it happen....
Curated OER
Must We Shoot Bambi?
Students explore the deer population. In this environmental lesson, students participate in a hands-on activity to better understand the concept of controlling the deer population.
Curated OER
We're Zoologists!
Students listen to story, "Never, Ever Shout in a Zoo," by Karma Wilson, practice finding information from Internet, write information about one chosen zoo animal, draw picture of their zoo animal, pair up and read their My Zoo Animal...