The New York Times
Researching the Researchers
Students match scientists with their major discoveries, choose one figure to research further, and co-author articles profiling the scientist and his or her achievements.
Curated OER
Energy of the Future
Middle schoolers examine technologies that already exist and record their findings in a journal. They work with students in other countries to explore alternative energy sources They publish their designs online.
Curated OER
Focus on Food Chains
Third graders collect and analyze data about food chains. They conduct Internet research about the habitat of a selected organism, write a narrative, and create a computer slideshow using Kid Pix computer software that illustrates the...
Curated OER
Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes
Challenge geography classes to locate the major volcanoes and earthquake faults on a world map. In groups, they identify the pattern made and examine the relationship between the locations of the faults and volcanoes and tectonic...
Curated OER
How Things Fly
Students will examine the physics of flight through using experimental inquiry. In this lesson, you'll introduce your students to the four forces of flight--drag, lift, thrust, and weight--through a variety of fun-filled flight...
Curated OER
Online Planetary Tour
Students develop an interactive presentation about the planets for their fictional interplanetary travel agency. They demonstrate their knowledge of internet research techniques and the Solar System through their interactive planetary...
Curated OER
Summer Bummers
Brainstorm popular summer activities and their risks after having your class read an article. They will discover the risks of sun overexposure and in groups develop public service announcements for young people. They also propose a media...
Curated OER
Who Gives a Hoot?
Students look at owl migration and its impact on the environment and the food chain after reading an article from The New York Times. Students then apply this information to and research different food chain situations for other species...
Curated OER
DNA-B-C's
Students review what they already know about DNA. After reading an article, they discover a new technique to map the course of evolution. In groups, they create ways to present this material to younger children and research DNA's uses.
Curated OER
City Animals
Students identify some of the most important native and introduced species of animals in the United States. They describe how animals populations of cities have changed over time, outline the benefits and problems associated with...
Curated OER
What's In A Name?
Students explore the concept of the binomial system of nomenclature for classifying organisms. Students travel on a field trip to observe organisms displayed and their common names. Students complete several classroom activities and...
Curated OER
Plants, Animals and Our Environment
Students draw and label the basic needs of animals. They draw and label the basic needs of plants. Students understand the basic needs of plants and animals are not only the same, but are interrelated. They know that the environment...
Curated OER
Would You Like A Desert With That?
Students explore the four different deserts in the United States and their characteristics. They discuss the four different types of deserts in United States and their characteristics, and locate them on a map.
Curated OER
The Battle of the Guts
Students listen to story, The Magic School Bus: Inside Ralphie, take notes from story on how body fights germs, identify different functions of immune system, and use Kid Pix slide show to explain how body fights viruses and bacteria.
Curated OER
African American Inventors Society
Students examine the inventions of African Americans and how their inventions contributed to the common good. In this African American inventions lesson, students research the inventions of African Americans and reflect on how that...
Curated OER
Keeping Pets Safe in an Emergency
Students discuss what ifs with relation to their pets. For this keeping pets safe lesson, students create lists of pet items needed in case of disasters. Students complete worksheets related to pet safety in emergencies.
Common Sense Press
What is the Skeletal System?
Students investigate the human skeletal system. In this biology lesson, students trace the outline of their body onto butcher paper and fill in the names of the bones. Students use an overhead transparency of the human skeletal system to...
Curated OER
Measuring Animal Sizes (and Relative Sizes in our Animal Environment)
Students discover the actual size and weight of many insects and animals. In this biology instructional activity, students investigate animals and insects to determine their actual weight and size. In groups, students create an animal or...
Curated OER
The Effects of Weather on People
Students discover the causes of different types of weather and it's effect on society. In this environmental lesson, students utilize the Internet to examine cloud types, normal weather conditions and the type of weather considered...
Curated OER
Reducing the Impact of Drought
Young scholars study the impact of drought and improve their writing skills. In this reducing the impact of drought lesson, students investigate various matters pertaining to drought. They share their findings and build knowledge about...
Curated OER
Benjamin Franklin - Master of Electricity The Kite Experiment and the Invention of the Lightning Rod
Learners study Benjamin Franklin including who he was, what he invented and his experiment. In this inventive lesson students follow the steps of Ben Franklin and build a Leyden jar.
Curated OER
Biodiesel: An Alternative Fuel Source
Students explore the advances that are being made in alternative fuels.In this biodiesel lesson students evaluate different petroleum and alternative fuels.
Curated OER
Sensory Details
Students observe their environment and write detailed, sensory-specific sentences about that environment. This instructional activity can be extended to include the creation of a personalized story or movie of the experience (student...
Curated OER
Lights, Camera, Action!
Students develop a communication project about city wildlife. In this wildlife service project lesson, students research city wildlife, create a presentation of their groups choice, and present their findings. Students evaluate how their...