Curated OER
Deer Tracks
Young scholars use satellite images to track to movement patterns of deer and examine deer behavior. They write stories about a day in the life of a field scientist.
Curated OER
Two Ways About It
Students take an imaginary hike in two opposite directions along a lake. They view and interpret satellite images and discuss the pros and cons of hydroelectric dams.
Curated OER
A thousand seconds
Pupils use seconds, minutes, and hours. They then discuss the size of a thousand. After that they read time in digital or analogue form.
Curated OER
Parking Meters
Third graders are introduced to the problem with a short discussion about parking. They then solve with a partner. As they work ask questions that focus on the strategies they are using to make the calculations.
Curated OER
Garry The Greengrocer
Fourth graders are introduced to the problem by weighing objects on the balance scales. Use weights in both pans. (If you don't have access to scales use 2 containers and a child acting as the balance.) They then listen to the problem...
Curated OER
Adam's Watch
Third graders use their watches to tell the time while the teacher lists their responses on the board along with the reasons for them (set incorrectly, gain/lose time). They solve the problem in pairs and focus their thinking on the...
Curated OER
Home on the Range
Young scholars use maps and mathematics to determine the appropriate panther population in a given area. In this Florida ecology lesson, students research the area requirements of male and female panther and use a map to help calculate...
Curated OER
Looking into Eratosthenes' Radius of the Earth
Students, in small groups, research Eratosthenes and his calculations of the Earth's radius. They write a summary of the person, the experiments and his calculations to determine how accurate Eratosthenes was in his estimations of the...
Curated OER
Nutrition: A Thematic Unit
Young learners explore nutrition and the food groups in these two mini-lesson plan ideas. First, kindergarteners have a discussion about their health and how different foods contribute to it before making their own personal food pyramid....
Curated OER
Supernova Chemistry
Using spectroscopes, high school astronomy, physics, or chemistry learners observe emission spectra from several different sources. This stellar NASA-produced lesson plan provides terrific teacher's notes and a student handout. Make sure...
Curated OER
Water Pressure Blaster
Third graders complete an experiment to introduce them to the concept of water pressure. In this water pressure lesson plan, 3rd graders create pressure in a water bottle and observe the force of water that is created.
Rainforest Alliance
Forests of Guatemala
With 90 percent of its land area covered in forests, Suriname, a country in South America, contains the largest percentage of forests throughout the world. Here is an activity that brings classmates together to learn about the...
Curated OER
Squid Races
Students imitate squid propulsion using a balloon and experience Newton's third law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Various anatomical designs are tested and analyzed. They calculate the speed of each squid...
Curated OER
Oobleck and the Mystery Powders
Pupils listen to the book, "Oobleck," by Dr. Suess before experimenting with mystery powders. They determine the proper ratio of powder to liquid to make the Oobleck.
Curated OER
Look Ma! I'm a Rocket Scientist!
Students use a ball to push and pull to demonstrate the concept of force. In this force lesson plan, students talk about the importance of force in space and use balls to demonstrate this phenomena.
Curated OER
Bringing the Solar System Down to Earth
Students develop a scaled down model of the solar system. In small groups, they calculate the scaled-down diameters of the planets and the sun, the scaled-down distance of the planets from the sun, complete two charts, and create a...
Curated OER
Schoolyard Bird Project
Students observe and count bird sightings around their schoolyard throughout the school year.
Curated OER
Team Apollo
Seventh graders brainstorm about problems with a school track. They research different possibilities for a solution. They test different track materials with erosion, durability, abrasiveness and resiliency. They determine the area,...
Curated OER
Newtonian Mechanics
Students familiarize themselves, through teacher demonstration, with Gavendish's apparatus first used for experimentally determining the value of the Universal Gravitational Constant G, and calculate theoretical value of Earth's...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Effects of Friction on a Moving Block
Learners investigate how friction affects the movement of a block across surface areas. They test five different kinds of surfaces—smooth surface, wax paper, a paper towel, course, and fine sandpaper. They predict and record the results...
Curated OER
Density Derby
Students explore the relationship between mass, volume and density. They use model boats to discover how changing mass and volume affect density. This is a very engaging lesson which provides great demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Curated OER
A Geological Puzzle
Students compare and contrast the various types of rocks on each continent. In groups, the calculate the rock ages and types to determine if the continents, in their opinion, were joined at one time. They develop two imaginary...
Curated OER
The River Ran Through It
Young scholars identify the processes that shape our rivers and form our lakes. They participate in hands-on and multimedia activities as they discover and apply the river-cutting processes of water.
Curated OER
The Science and Technology of Food
Students examine the guidelines the United States Department of Agriculture places on food. In groups, they create a list of the foods they consume and discuss the political and environmental implications of purchasing the food. They...