American Chemical Society
Classifying Objects Based on their Observable Properties
Sorting objects by properties is a lesson plan in justification. Learners begin by studying different types of properties of materials, including those based on appearance and texture. They examine the properties of specific items and...
Berkshire Museum
Nature Journaling: Experience the Outdoors Through Writing and Drawing
Step into the great outdoors and develop young scientists' skills of observation with a nature journaling lesson. Given a specific focus or goal, children practice making and recording observations of nature through written descriptions...
UAF Geophysical Institute
Observing the Weather
How can you predict the weather without any technology? Young scientists learn to forecast the weather using traditional Native American techniques. Based on their observations of the weather, as well as talking to their classmates, they...
Curated OER
Independent Plant Growth Experiment
This is an awesome lesson filled with tons of engaging learning activities. Over a period of weeks learners will make observations, collect plant and analyze plant data, read and review agricultural articles, design and conduct an...
Curated OER
Classifying Shells
Students observe and classify different types of shells. They compare and contrast an exhibit they created with one that already exists in a musuem. They discover the different characteristics of shells.
Scholastic
Minibeasts
Lead young scientists to discover insects outdoors. After investigating, students will record observations, learn about these fascinating creatures, craft, and role play.
Curated OER
Classifying Objects
Fourth graders classify living things according to similarities and differences through guided and independent activities. They place objects into groups according to their characteristics and then make a collage of living things...
Curated OER
How Are Soils Classified?
Young scholars list the three texture groups that classify soils. They classify a soil sample as sandy, silty or clay soil.
Berkshire Museum
Backyard Rocks
You don't have to travel far to learn about rocks, just step outside, pick up a stone, and begin investigating. After taking a class walk around the school grounds collecting rocks, young scientists practice their skills of observation...
Curated OER
How hard is it?
Inquiry is probably one of the most fun ways kids learn. They will test the hardness of 10 different minerals in order to classify them. They rate each of the minerals from most to least hard. Note: Having real minerals for this...
Curated OER
Distinguishing Between Flowers
A branching key is a great way to classify different types of animals and plants! Fifth graders answer several yes/no answers about three different plants. They then create their own key to differentiate between an iris, a rose, and a...
Beyond Benign
Reactions Lab
You're bound to get a reaction from your classes with this experiment! Scholars perform several chemical reactions, make observations, and classify the reactions as single replacement, double replacement, composition, or decomposition...
Curated OER
Classifying Rocks
Fifth graders examine and participate in the process of classifying rocks. In small groups, they sort the rocks into two categories and complete a Venn diagram. Next, they select three rocks, and complete a worksheet that is in the...
Curated OER
Classifying
In this classifying worksheet, middle schoolers are given 8 rows of illustrations of animals. Students try out various ways to organize the animals in a classification system following the directions. They try a 2 groups system and a 3-5...
Curated OER
Environmental Studies: The Environment Rocks!
Rock exploration, so exciting! After reading the book Everybody Needs a Rock, the class makes sandwiches to better understand that the Earth is made in layers. They then use a description of the 3 types of rock to conduct an observation...
Curated OER
A Biology Game To Promote Classification And Observation
Students play a biology game. In this science lesson plan, students play a game that require them to use observation skills and develop their classification skills.
Curated OER
Name that animal
A great way to classify organisms, is by counting the number of legs it has or how it moves. Little ones count the legs on five different creatures, then match the leg count to the proper animal name. Tip: Have them come up with other...
Curated OER
How are Seeds the Same and Different?
Pupils examine seeds from various plants. In this science lesson, students cut open fruits and vegetables in order to see the seeds. Pupils describe each type of seed and classify the seeds.
Virginia Department of Education
Three Types of Rocks
Rock out with the second installment of a five-part series on earth materials and processes. Your budding geologists make observations of given rock samples and posit classification systems for rocks. They then learn about the accepted...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Nature Walk: Extra Support Lessons (Theme 2)
Reinforce concepts such as long vowels, spelling patterns, sound clusters, double-final consonants, and syllables with a nature-themed unit. Through a series of extra support lessons, learners compare and contrast using a Venn diagram,...
Curated OER
Observations of a Mammal
Observations are a key step in the scientific method. In a fun activity, kids learn more about a mammal that they know, such as their own cat, a class hamster, or a friend's dog, through making detailed observations. In addition, they...
Curated OER
Botanical Bookmarks
Students increase their comprehension of botany as they collect, identify, and classify various leaves. They observe that each leaf has its own unique color, texture, design, and pattern. Students create a pressed-leaf bookmark,...
University of Hawaiʻi
Taxonomy and Me!
Taxonomy is the study of organisms and how you phylum. Three biology activities are included, helping scholars understand four of the six kingdoms, specifically Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia. Scholars observe and classify in...
Larson Lab
Animal Classification
How are animals classified? Scholars explore animal classification by observing non-living and living specimens. They learn how to organize animals into vertebrates and invertebrates and identify the five vertebrate groups: mammals,...