Michigan State University
In Search of Life
Explore the habitats around you with an activity that takes kids out of the classroom to learn about the local variety of habitats and the living things that call them home. In small groups, scholars investigate their surroundings,...
Captain Planet Foundation
Square Foot Fall Garden
First graders learn the basic needs of plants and identify geometric shapes while planting a fall garden. Combining math and science in one lesson plan, the resource guides kids through starting their class garden as they discover the...
Captain Planet Foundation
P is for Poppies
Explore the way local farming and rationing helped the war effort in World War I with a lesson plan on gardening. After learning about trench warfare, reading "In Flanders' Field" by John McCrae, and studying poppies, kids discuss the...
SeaWorld
How Big is a Blue?
Whales are all big, but some are larger than others! Kids will love sorting the 10 whale species by size at their desk (whale cut-outs provided). Next, use a whale rope to visualize how long each of these whales actually is. A large...
Curated OER
Bering Sea Buffet - A Foodweb Activity
Life in the Bering Sea, food webs, and the ocean ecosystem are introduced with a map activity. The lesson starts as kids explore maps and images of the Bering Sea, then it kicks into high gear as they start to discuss the types of...
Curated OER
Why Should We Clean The Beach?
Students volunteer for the International Coastal Cleanup. They describe the purpose of the Lake Michigan Foundation and a history of the dunes. They reflect on their experiences with writing.
Curated OER
Pushy Kids in Physics
Students examine the concepts of balanced forces, unbalanced forces, and resulting net forces. They participate in a force and motion demonstration by pushing students in various directions, and calculating and identifying the resulting...
Science-Class.net
Rock Candy Crystals
Candy is one of my favorite words, and it's an even better word when it relates to science. Yes, candy science can happen when you grow rock candy crystals with your class. The entire process for growing these edible wonders of nature is...
Curated OER
The ABCs of Our Nation
In this social studies learning exercise, students are directed to a Web site to find out what makes our Nation special. Students create an acrostic poem about our country. Students then explore the need for responsible living within a...
Curated OER
Creepy Crawlies
Second graders study the world of insects. They join Greenpatch Kids, an organization of young people who are interested in nature and want to protect our environment. In addition, the students assess use of technology as a valuable...
NOAA
Tornado in a Bottle
Studying the science of tornadoes? Make a tornado in a bottle to demonstrate how vortexes are formed in tornadoes. The activity should be used as a way to demonstrate what pupils already know about tornadoes.
Curated OER
The Power of the Environment in Our Lives
Students participate in a series of activities designed to demonstrate the differences between symbiotic and parasitic relationships. They discuss the differences and catergorize man's relationship with nature.
Curated OER
Biofuels Blast!
Students observe yeast fermentation using different energy source. In this chemistry lesson plan, students measure the gas collected in the balloon. They upload their observations on the internet so they can share it with kids across US.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students recognize simple machines in their environment, create a picture of a simple machine using KidPix Software, and appropriately name and identify the type of simple machine that they have created using their keyboard.
Curated OER
Biocomplexity Activity: Introduction to Biocomplexity
Students seek to define Biocomplexity. Teacher begins by a discussing the prefix "bio" and take volunteers to read their answers to the Warm Up question aloud. Teacher goes onto explain that the students have 20 minutes to explain what...
Curated OER
Hooray for Hand-Me-Downs!
Youngsters learn how "hand-me-downs" can help save money while practicing math word problems with this fun learning center activity.
Consumers Energy
Circuits and the Flow of Electricity Lesson Plan
I think I lost an electron. Are you sure? Yes, I'm positive! Starting with a hands-on demonstration and problem solving activity, young scientists define vocabulary related to circuitry and currents. Then they build their own circuits...
Curated OER
Springtime
Pupils examine the use of KidPix software before making a slide show that shows their ideas about spring. They listen to books about seasonal change. Next, they draw a spring picture, write a sentence and their name on their KidPix slide...
Curated OER
Tip the Scales
Learners, in groups, estimate and check the weights of classroom objects using coins as the standard of measure.
Curated OER
Simple Machines-Pulleys
Third graders understand what a pulley is and how it works. In this simple machines, pulley lesson students experiment with broom sticks creating a pulley. Students observe how the pulley moves in its different trials.
Curated OER
Our Five Senses Affect Food Choices
Students read My Five Senses: A Lion's Tale. In this five senses lesson, students understand the relationship between their five senses and how they affect their food choices. Students write journal entries about their senses and the...
Cornell University
Bridge Building
Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.
Curated OER
Keep America Beautiful: Thinking Green in the Classroom
Stress the importance of community involvement to preserve the beauty of our Earth with these great ideas.
Curated OER
Endangered Marine Turtles
Students work in groups and experience what it is like to be a hatchling marine turtle by playing a board game. For this endangered marine turtles lesson, students research the threats to marine turtle hatchlings. Students then create a...