Curated OER
What's Your Favorite Color?
Students investigate the psychology behind color choices using two sites on the Internet. They complete a worksheet and construct an Inspiration file with the data from the charts. Then they form a hypothesis and test it using the...
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Predators and Prey
Students explain how the food chain works. They contrast predators with prey and describe their function in nature. Students discuss how the food chain aids in keeping nature balanced. In small groups, they play a game that simulates the...
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There's Always Room For Jell-O
Students explore the breakdown of proteins. They cut wells in Jell-O and observe as the detergent digests the Jell-O. Students record their observations and take measurements.
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What's in My Water, and How Did it Get There?
Learners analyze water samples to see the contaminants and then use the Internet to find the sources of the contamination. In this investigative water lesson students analyze water and work together to solve the mystery of...
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Special Place
Students observe and describe a "special place" chosen along a nature trail. In this habitat observational skills and writing lesson, students take a walk on a nature trail and choose a spot to sit and meditate. Students complete a...
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How is heat transferred through conduction?
Fifth graders observe different types of conductors. They answer orally about the conduction of heat energy with 100% accuracy. Students investigate some materials that conduct heat much better than others, and poor conductors can...
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Frozen Film
Learners discover how light reflects off surfaces. In this hands-on demonstration, students examine how variations in color are produced by light interference.
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Snowfall
Students examine the differences between snow and rain. In this precipitation lesson, students measure one inch of rain and snow to calculate the amount of liquid water. Students use a snowfall "conversion" chart to measure how much...
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Butterfly Round-Up
Students classify the characteristics of butterflies and moths moths. In this life cycle instructional activity, students identify butterflies and moths common in the state of Iowa as well as their characteristics. Students then...
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Autumn
Students observe the different patterns of leaves and record their observations after reading the book "Autumn Leaves".
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Mystery of the Malformed Frogs Lesson Plan
Students develop an understanding of how students and volunteers can make scientific observations that can aid conservation. They read the account of the Minnesota New Country School project by Ryan Fisher, Mystery of the Malformed...
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Inroads On Erosion
Students investigate the concept of farming as found in Puerto Rico an focus on how to prevent erosion. They use a sand table to conduct an experiment to observe the process of erosion and how it is influences by natural factors like...
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The Ups and Downs of Weight and Mass
Students explore the concept of mass, and how it differs from weight. They also calculate their weight change as they ride up and down on an elevator. They record the changes in their weight as the elevator moves
graph the collected data.
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Making a Periscope
In this designing a periscope worksheet, students follow the directions to collect materials and make a periscope. Students answer 5 questions.
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Autumn's Palette
In this Ranger Rick worksheet, students participate in a nature walk, observe the leaves, and sketch some of the leaf shapes they encounter. Students also respond to a question regarding the range of leaf colors they observe.
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How’s the Weather?
In this weather learning exercise, students unscramble weather words that describe features of the weather. An answer key and website reference for additional resources are included.
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Observation Hike
Students participate in an observational hike to study the natural surroundings. In this observational hike lesson, students hike through a state park and observe the plant and animal life. Students learn about appropriate...
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Grooming Is A Good Thing
Students construct fly traps, collect house flies, and observe the flies grooming. They compare/contrast the fly's grooming techniques with their own. They develop a good grooming habits chart.
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Probes, Exploration and Application
Students examine the benefits of the space program to our life on earth. In this space exploration lesson students participate in a lab, answer questions and study radar mapping.
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Canoe and Kayak
Students explore canoes and kayaks. In this canoe and kayak lesson, students research the history, parts, and sport of the canoe and kayak. Students then practice how to use a paddle for each boat, and go on a field trip in order...
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Classifying Living Organisms into Kingdoms
Learners create a flip book that describes the basic characteristics of the five main animal kingdoms. They research the animal kingdoms, include examples of organisms for each kingdom and illustrate the finished text.
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Nebraska's Wild Weather
Young scholars examine the weather in Nebraska. Using this information, they describe the cause and effect relationships in the environment based on these changes in weather. They write various types of poems with weather themes and...
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Is There A Fungus Among Us?
Sixth graders classify fungus into two different groups. In this fungus lesson, 6th graders collect as many pieces of fungus as possible. Students then classify these pieces of fungus as saprophytic or parasitic.
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FRED the FISH
Students engage in the study of the human impact on environmental systems (specifically rivers). This instructional activity enhances Students' exploration of a variety of themes or topics.