Curated OER
A Bug's Journey
Young scholars research the art of John Baldessari. In this art history lesson, students examine Baldessari's drawing of a beetle and discuss the characteristics of these bugs. They write a story from a bug's perspective and create their...
Curated OER
What A Gas!
Students study various aspects of air. In this science lesson plan, students discover that air occupies space, understand the visual effects of air, and explain how air exerts force.
Curated OER
Traveling Seeds
Students decorate their bags with crayons. In this art and science lesson, students go outside and collect seeds. Students come back inside and sort the seeds into flyers, riders, poppers, or floaters. Students discuss the differences...
Curated OER
Changing How Things Look
Third graders use a literature study in order to investigate how organisms effect an ecosystem. They are asked questions about change taken from the book. Students also take a nature walk to make field observations.
Curated OER
Do You See What I See?
Second graders view a teacher-created terrarium, and complete a KWL chart. They discuss what they can see, Students go on a nature walk and compare the schoolyard to the terrarium, discussing the roles of rocks, plants, soil, and water...
Curated OER
Take a Closer Look
Students examine how to determine the species of a tree through the examination of the bark and leaves. They create tree rubbings, match bark samples with trees on a nature walk, match leaves using a tree identification guide, and...
Curated OER
Seasons of Trees
Students examine how trees change over time. In this forestry lesson, students read the book The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree and choose three trees to observe over a period of time. Students record observations and seasonal changes in...
Curated OER
Care of the Environment
Learners discuss human responsibility towards nature, read story The Man Who Planted Hope and Grew Happiness, take Close to Home quiz to measure their level of commitment to and concern for environment, and discuss ways to be more...
Curated OER
Shapes (Orienteering)
Students explore the tools of navigation. In this shapes lesson, students navigate using direction cues to create a shape. Students follow specific steps to create their shapes. Students use compasses to see the directions they are...
Curated OER
Creating AB Patterns
Students work with patterns. In this pattern lesson, students find AB patterns in nature and the manmade world. They create their own AB pattern using math manipulatives and visual arts.
Curated OER
Bridges
Students are introduced to the different types, designs and nature of bridges. They observe a historical look at the bridges in and around the Pittsburgh area through a video presentation. Connections are made between science and...
Curated OER
Wood You Believe: Wood Products
For this wood products lesson, students walk to a forest near their school where they sit by themselves for a few minutes and quietly observe their surroundings. Students brainstorm wood or wood by products, discuss everything we get...
Curated OER
Understanding Weathering and Erosion in the Environment
You can use these lessons to enhance your students' understanding of weathering and erosion.
Curated OER
Seeds! What is Inside; How does it Grow and Why is it Important?
Students discover the importance of seeds in relationship to nature. For this plant growth lesson plan, students create a collection of seeds and discover the best type of environment to plant them. Students plant their own wheat seeds...
Curated OER
The Changing Earth
Students observe and analyze weathering. In this earth science lesson, students demonstrate physical and chemical weathering in two experiments, then write questions for a class Jeopardy game.
Curated OER
Exploring the Temperate Forest: Biodiversity and Interdependence
Students examine the consequences of cutting down large amounts of forests throughout the world. In groups, they use the internet to complete a module taking them on a tour through different temperate forests. To end the lesson, they...
Curated OER
Species Diversity in Ecosystems with Different Techniques of Land Management
Students visit numerous places to help in their understanding of Ecology. In this biology lesson plan, students will learn about characteristics and how to identify numerous plants and animals. This lesson allows for many field trip...
Curated OER
Mystery Creek
Fourth graders are introduced to the Riparian Ecosystem. They define the following terms: riparian and riparian ecosystem. Students take a trip to the creek, where they make observations about the environment around them. They are...
Curated OER
Plastics by the Numbers
Students investigate plastic resins and their uses. In this plastics lesson plan, students describe major plastic resins and what they are used for, they compare and contrast the properties of plastic resins and they list products that...
Facing History and Ourselves
Who Are We?
Sixth graders explore the diversity of communities. In this community-building lesson, 6th graders compose biopoems and create a classroom exhibit entitled "Who am I? Who are We?"
Curated OER
Readers Who Struggle Can Learn From Wonderful Teacher/Student Created On-Level Reading Projects
Students create their own books. In this book making lesson, students pick a subject and take photographs of it. They use these photographs to write their own story using their sight words.
Curated OER
Layers of the Forest
Students explore rain forests. In this rain forest ecosystems lesson, students identify and describe the layers of the rain forest. Students paint and decorate a large rain forest mural. Students write riddles about animals that live in...
Curated OER
Tetonic Plates and Faults
Students understand the basic properties of plate motion. They demonstrate what happens to a plate while faulting while using manipulatives. They demonstrate the Nature of Scientific Inquiry to solve scientific issues.
Curated OER
Shape Hunt
Students photograph shapes around their school and create a shape movie. In this shape hunting lesson, students recognize shapes in a shape hunt. Students can identify the shapes recorded by others in the class.