Curated OER
Sunshine and Shadows
Students measure their shadows early in the morning, record direction of shadow, make marks in ground with chalk or tape, measure with ruler, and record results. Students repeat process at noon, and then later in afternoon. Students...
Curated OER
Bats Migrate South
Students examine the life of bats in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the history of the bat in Illinois and describe the way they find prey by using echolocation. They report their findings to the class and answer any...
Curated OER
Autumn Colors Shine Through
Students create colorful stained-glass Autumn window decorations. They shave crayons with scissors, melt the crayons in wax paper with an iron, and cut out a leaf pattern to display on windows.
Curated OER
Natural Resource Management Course Outline
Gain skills in ecosystem evaluation including chemical, biological, and physical qualities. Students write a report on a local ecosystem.
Curated OER
What Kind of Garden Would Grow in Our Schoolyard?
Students perform soil tests for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, composition and water percolation rate and assess the conditions in the schoolyard.
Curated OER
In My Own Backyard
Students explore the soil and vegetation found in their home and/or school environment and map a familiar area. Each group is assigned a section of the schoolyard. They draw maps of their assigned places and gather soil and vegetation...
Curated OER
Hopping For Candy
Students explore recipes online for different types of candy, and simulate process of making candy to explain how candy makers rely on varied temperatures and basic chemistry to produce perfect sweets.
Curated OER
Guidebook
Students create a book about plants they observe after identifying and researching them.
Curated OER
Bubble Blast
Students explore the ingredients and properties of bubbles. They participate in various bubble blowing activities, and write a paragraph describing their best bubble.
Curated OER
Let It Snow!
Students make the most of the season's first snowfall with a snowflake study. They create original snowflakes from paper, collect authentic snowflakes on paper, and examine and compare the snowflakes.
Curated OER
Many Uses of the Forest
First graders examine pictures of forest wildlife and identify different animals that live in the forest. They discuss resources the forest provides for human use and explore the concept that the forest is used by many at the same time.
Curated OER
Extinction
Students explore reasons why the dinosaurs became extinct, and the specific needs (habitat, environment, food) of individual types of dinosaurs.
Curated OER
The Night Tree
Second graders explore the book, Night Tree, by Eve Bunting. They read and discuss the story, identify what the tree did for the animals, create a food chain for animals to hang on a tree, and decorate a tree at school.
Curated OER
"Oh Deer!"
Students play a game where half of them are deer and the others are components of habitat: food, water, shelter and space. They signify their needs by hand gestures and take what they need to their side of the game. They discuss real...
Curated OER
KWL Chart: Living and Non Living
In this KWL chart worksheet, students fill in this graphic organizer about living and non-living things. Students complete 3 sections in the chart.
Curated OER
What Can I Do?
Students describe the things that citizens can do to reduce ground level ozone and particulate matter. They design a flyer, poster or webpage to teach others about diesel bus retrofitting projects.
Curated OER
Extreme Heat
Students, in groups, investigage and demonstrate the science behind the development and characteristics of extreme heat.
Curated OER
Plant Growth
Students explore the parts of a plant and seed. They plant seeds and observe the growth of plants. Students record the observations. They discuss and share the observations they see.