Curated OER
Birds and Birdfeed
Fourth graders examine the basic survival needs of birds before examining a suet ball as an example of what birds eat. They conduct an experiment with pine cones, bird seed, vaseline, and peanut butter. By observing the birds, they...
Curated OER
Wig-wag Physics
High schoolers make observations on the effects of a small, medium and large weight on the movement of a wig-wag apparatus. They use their observations to develop a generalized inference of the effect weight on movement patterns.
Curated OER
Mystery Boxes
Students make observations about Mystery Boxes that their teacher has made up and describes the motion of the object inside the box and hypothesizes it's shape based on their observations.
Curated OER
Can You See It, Touch It, Hear It?
Young scholars develop and practice observational skills through lab activity.
Curated OER
Rock Art
Students create replica symbols of rock are found in Wisconsin and work cooperatively to create a rock art panel. They observe rock art to find their meanings and reasons why they were created.
Curated OER
Traditional Stories about Wind
Young scholars observe and talk about wind using no weather instruments. In this wind lesson plan, students use their senses to observe wind. They also interview an Elder about wind.
Curated OER
the Sound Detective Scientist
Students identify sounds in their environment and acquire listening and inferring skills.
Curated OER
Alcohol: Separating Fact from Fiction
High schoolers obtain a clearer understanding of their knowledge about alcohol, recognize that their attitudes, beliefs, & knowledge about alcohol may be different from their peers, and gain experience with scientific methods.
Curated OER
Classification of Animals
Middle schoolers identify observable features of eight dinosaurs and create a sorting chart using SMART Notebook on a SMART Board (or, in case you do not have a SMART Board, a chalk or dry-erase board).
Curated OER
Here Today. . .Gone Tomorrow
Students observe that there are threatened and endangered bird species in Illinois, why they have been given this status and how it relates to endangered species on a worldwide basis. they participate in the Project WILD "Oh, Deer" or...
Curated OER
Cool! Awesome! What is it?
Students infer what a mysterious object is in a photo. For this inference lesson, students practice their scientific skills to identify what they see. Students enjoy solving the mysterious identity of objects and extending their...
Curated OER
Using Adjectives to Describe Observations
Seventh graders write observations of organisms based on both audio and video sources. They describe organisms which they view using appropriate adjectives.
Curated OER
Clues to the Past
Students take a 1.3 mile walking tour of Chippokes Plantation, inspect significant historic buildings and artifacts, and make inferences about plantation life from their observations while answering a series of questions.
National Park Service
Aspect, Treeline, and Climate
Head to the treeline and beyond to examine how this feature of the landscape affects weather and climate, which gives scientists clues about its health. Class members' observations of photographs provide the data that drives the...
K20 LEARN
Ecosystems, Human Activity, And Interactions, Oh My!: Human/Environment Interaction
Word clouds about ecosystems hook learners into a lesson that explores Yellowstone wildlife. Young scientists create cause-and-effect relationships after examining data and recommend solutions to their observed problems. More data...
Curated OER
Bubble-ology
Learners observe the visible spectrum while observing light hitting the surface of bubbles. They blow large bubbles and observe how the colors change.
Curated OER
To Group of Not to Group - That is the Question!
Upper elementary and middle schoolers use their observation skills to group different kinds of candy by similar characteristics. They debate whether or not we should classify objects. Finally, they learn that biologists have developed a...
Curated OER
Cooler In The Shadows
Students investigate the concepts of shadows and how they are projected with objects different positions in relation to the sun. They conduct an experiment by observing objects in different positions. Then students record the observations.
Curated OER
Theobroma - Food of the Gods
Students discuss the history of cacao and its use in the production of chocolate. They analyze actual cacao pods and record their observations. Finally they create a five minute contour drawing of the cacao pod and seeds.
Curated OER
Schoolyard Bird Project
Students observe and count bird sightings around their schoolyard throughout the school year.
Curated OER
Stick-Slip Movement
Ninth graders operate a model to observe the type of motion that occurs at a fault during an earthquake. They explore the effects of several variables. Students measure movement, calculate averages and plot and graph information.
Curated OER
The Art of Science: Gravity
Through a series of experiments and demonstrations, fifth graders will learn about gravity. They will make predictions, drop various objects, write down their observations, and try to understand gravity through balance. This lesson seems...
Curated OER
Photos from the Past
Pupils observe and interpret historic photographs of water in New Mexico. They record observations, draw inferences, and compare water in New Mexico's past with water today. They create a class book or exhibition of the photographs with...