Baylor College
Pre-Assessment: Earth's Energy Sources
A ten-question, multiple-choice quiz assesses what your elementary earth scientists know about the atmosphere both before and after a unique unit on global atmospheric change. Make sure to check out the activities and lesson plans...
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
A Thematic Learning Guide to Lions
Written as an accompaniment to a field trip to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Arizona, this is an interdisciplinary, themed lesson on lions. Even if you cannot take your upper-elementary kids to this attraction, there are a few...
Curated OER
The Hudson's Ups and Downs
Fifth graders practice interpreting line graphs of the Hudson River water levels to assess the tides and tidal cycles in the estuary. They explore how weather can affect water levels and tides and observe that high tides and low tides...
Curated OER
Introducing Models to Elementary School Students
Students explore the concept of models. In this model lesson, students examine 3-dimensional models of various objects and body parts to better understand the natural world.
Curated OER
Plants and Animals: Alike and Not Alike
After reading an informative paragraph that outlines some of the differences between plants and animals, fifth graders attempt to correctly categorize 12 words in a word bank. They must put them in the plant, or animal category. This...
Curated OER
Elementary Concepts in Heat
Third graders read a thermometer with accuracy, record observations and data, and infer conceptual meaning. They integrate mathematical charting and graphing skills to organize their data. They explore what happens when they touch or use...
Sea World
Seaworld Science Activity
A fun collection of activities about marine life would be a great addition to your elementary science unit. From cute penguins to scary sharks, the unit features crafts, experiments, and basic research projects that will teach your...
Curated OER
Moon Mining
Go on a moon mining expedition from the safety of your classroom with this space exploration simulation. Using simple models of the moon's surface prepared ahead of time by the teacher, young scientists are challenged with locating and...
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Bubbles Galore
Students investigate bubbles. For this science lesson, students observe how long bubbles last and graph the results of the experiment.
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Line With Printmaking
Third graders investigate the use of lines in different pieces of art by creating their own ink print. In this art analysis instructional activity, 3rd graders identify the contours and lines of natural objects such as twigs and...
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One Square Meter
Students examine various ecosystems using scientific inquiry. Using the local area, they assess the characteristics and conditions in one square meter. They report their findings in the form of a survey map and data sheet. They...
Curated OER
Where Do Fish Live in the Hudson?
Students explore the environmental factors that influence where fish live and determine the makeup of fish communities in the Hudson. They interpret guided observations and measurements to assess patterns, sequences and relationships.
National Science Teachers Association
Hop into Action
Young scientists find out what makes amphibians such unique and interesting animals in this simple life science lesson plan. After looking at pictures and discussing the characteristics of amphibians, learners complete a...
Curated OER
Lego Robotics: Measuring Speed
Students build and program a LEGO robotic car as well as measure and graph its speed. They acquire familiarity with principles of construction, motion, design and problem solving. They compare a robot's speed over two different surfaces...
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Wiggle Worms
First graders investigate worms, collect and analyze data. In this worm and data lesson, 1st graders listen to Chick and Duckling from the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill reading series. They conduct experiments with worms, collect simple data,...
Curated OER
Race the Track! Design Challenge
Students use the design process to investigate physical science. In this force and motion lesson, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance. Students...
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Aluminum Can Drive
Second graders complete a recycling project to clean-up their school. In this service project lesson plan, 2nd graders assess their campus for litter, set up a recycling project, clean up their campus, and recycle the trash. Students...
Curated OER
Potential Energy: How is It Related to Kinetic Energy?
Students explore kinetic and potential energy. In this energy lesson, students launch toys cars from ramps in order to examine the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy. Students collect data and graph the results.
Curated OER
Plus, Minus and Interesting
Students identify the main ideas or topics of a lesson or unit using the plus, minus and interesting graphic organizer. In this main idea or topic lesson, students examine the use of the PMI graphic organizer. They describe the item they...
Curated OER
Using Bloom's Taxonomy in Science
Help your students internalize knowledge by creating activities that utilize higher level thinking skills.
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Sowing Seeds of Service
Third graders use metric measuring for model and actual plan in designing a roof garden. They photograph the process, record results in a journal, and plant seedlings in small containers. Finally, 3rd graders complete an acid rain...
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Home on the Biome
Fifth graders study six major biomes, graph temperature and rainfall, and present their findings to the class.
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Goobers. Goobers? Goobers!
Students begin the lesson by noting the many ways in which to use peanuts. In groups, they use the internet to research the work of George Washington Carver. They discover the allergies and nutritional information of the peanut and...
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Summer Science Lesson Plans
You can use these lesson plans to incorporate some science into your summer.