Curated OER
Measurement and Variation
Examine the concept of variation through observation and measurement. Middle schoolers will study a peanut and record any distinguishing characteristics visible as well as sketch their peanuts and describe them in writing. Their peanut...
Curriculum Corner
Lesson Planning Forms
Here's a matrix that can be used to record plans for up to three preps over a one week period.
Curated OER
Growing A Coral Skeleton
Students research the growth of coral. In this coral polyps lesson, students simulate the growth of coral by using available materials to grow crystals. Students record observations in a scientific journal.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Observation of Yeast Growth
Middle schoolers build an apparatus to look at how yeast cells grow by converting food to energy. They observe yeast both with and without food and see how yeast produces carbon dioxide.
Curated OER
Coal Flowers
Let's make coal flowers! With this fun activity, young learners watch and learn as they grow crystals! With simple household materials and the instructions included in this lesson plan, your class can grow their own crystals. Learners...
Curated OER
Musical Change
Young learners record observations about different coin denominations and create a song about coins to the traditional song, "The Wheels on the Bus." This lesson plan is based on the Tennessee Quarter Reverse, and has all sorts of...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Elements of the Water Cycle
The basic elements of the water cycle and how water is recycled through our environment is focused on in this lesson plan. Your students construct classroom terrariums and learn to make and record observations relating to the water...
Curated OER
Observing the Pumpkin Cycle
Students observe and listen to nonfiction books about the life cycle of pumpkins. They practice early reading skills in a shared reading related to pumpkins. They observe the life cycle of a pumpkin including growth and decay.
Curriculum Corner
Student Groupings Forms
Keep track of group work teams with a handy packet of templates that permit you to record the members of up to six groups and to record observations of group workings.
Education Outside
Plant, This Is Your Life!
Individuals select a plant, illustrate it in their journal, record observations, and create a life story for their plant that accounts for its features and any unique properties. Using these descriptions, a partner attempts to locate...
American Chemical Society
Classifying Objects Based on their Observable Properties
Sorting objects by properties is a lesson 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 use...
Curated OER
Do You See What I See?
Students engage in a lesson that differentiates between right and wrong types of observations. In order to conduct the experiment they are provided with leaves and nameless objects with different designs. The two are compared and...
Curated OER
Animal Investigation
In this lesson, Animal Investigation, 2nd graders will develop investigative and inquiry skills. Students choose one animal as a class to observe. Students ask questions about the animal and record observations, or answers to the...
Curated OER
Apple Observation
In this apple observation instructional activity, learners identify with the importance of observations and respond to the questions that follow the activity. They describe the image they see when they think of a red apple, including its...
Curated OER
Observation: It's A Natural!
Students play the role of naturalist in their own community just as Thoreau was in his. They observe their communities looking for positive and negative aspects on the environment. They work together in groups to complete a model for...
Curated OER
Exploration of 'pill bugs'
Fifth graders define words. They create a dichotomous key. After carefully examining pill bugs, 5th graders record observations. They compare and contrast habitats of pillbugs.
Curated OER
Accidents Happen: Seat Belt Laws, Enforcement, and Usage
Start with a NOVA video about car crashes, crash test dummy footage, or other video about seat belt use. Or have groups review attached data about seat belt usage (by state) and share their conclusions. Learners then devise a method to...
Curated OER
Data Record Plant Observation
In this recording data worksheet, students draw and describe their observations of a plant on a chart. Students describe three observations.
Curated OER
Sky Observation Project
In this sky observation worksheet, learners make observations of the night sky and use their planisphere and star charts to help identify what they observe. They make observations and record what they see for 10-15 minutes. They draw a...
Curated OER
Outdoor Observations
Fifth graders attain data using their senses. They record information. They develop observation skills and explore how to investigate. They gain appreciation for nature through their observations.
Curated OER
Butterfly 1: Observing the Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Young scholars observe and identify the characteristics of the life cycle of a butterfly.
Social Media Toolbox
Twitter Time
Tweet all about it! Junior journalists explore the Twittersphere to determine its effectiveness as a news broadcasting tool in the 12th installment of the 16-part Social Media Toolbox. Participants follow and record their observations of...
Curated OER
Transparent Shoebox Dig
Take this simulated archaeological dig one layer at a time with your young pupils to encourage observation, critical thinking, and careful attention. Using a transparent box full of layers of sand and artifacts, pupils examine the...
Exploratorium
Angle Hunting
Do angles change with distance? Using a previously made tool, individuals find and measure angles on a playground. They observe that angles are the same measure regardless of the distance at which they're measured.