Curated OER
Where the Buffalo Roam
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Migration, Adaptation, and Changing Climates
It is easy for humans to adapt to changing environments, but how do animals and plants do it? Classes discuss how plants and animals deal with environmental changes in the second of seven lessons. Through questions and discussions,...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Seasons of a Plant
The third in a series of six lessons is an engaging three-part activity defines that discusses phenology, focusing on the cyclic seasons of plants. Pupils then observe phenology outside before determining how climate change can...
US Mint
Desert Dwellers
What can a quarter possibly teach young learners about desert ecosystems? More than you might think. After displaying and discussing the included picture of the Arizona state quarter, the class participates in a series of...
Polar Trec
Sea Ice Impact
The arctic seas contain currents that are both warm (with high salinity) and cold (relatively fresh water) that circulate throughout the year. Through discussion, a lab, and a web quest, participants explore the impacts of melting and...
Curated OER
Student Opinion: Are You Popular, Quirky or Conformist?
Approach the topic of popularity with this resource from the New York Times and their Learning Network series. The article is about Alexandra Robbins' "Quirk Theory." Learners respond to the article excerpt either on paper or...
Montana State University
Everest Extremes: Biodiversity
How many animals can live in a climate as cold as Mount Everest's? Find out with a science lesson all about biodiversity. Activities include research, presentations, group work, coloring maps, and a simulation of a food web.
Curated OER
Garden Journals
Learners create "Garden Journals" using construction paper, poster board, and general art supplies in this Art, Science, Reading, and Writing lesson plan for the early-elementary classroom. This activity may be done at the beginning of...
Curated OER
Science Reporter for Where in the World is Science? Project
Young scholars take the role of a science reporter and gather data for a newspaper article. Students create a question sheet. Young scholars receive a copy of the Science Reporter's Journal task sheet. They complete the items on the...
Curated OER
Is Evolution Just Monkey Business?
Young scholars examine the presentation of the theory of evolution in the science classroom. They define and discuss aspects of evolution, evaluate the presentation of evolutionary theory, and write a persuasive essay.
Curated OER
Learning About Hurricanes
Students write a research paper on hurricanes. In this weather lesson, students use a science text book to write down facts about hurricanes on note cards and then outline their essay. Students use the outline to create an organized essay.
Curated OER
Evaporation Experiment
In this evaporation activity, students participate in an evaporation experiment involving several days and a container with water and a marker. Students journal each observation to see how fast the water evaporates.
Curated OER
Cleaning an Oil Spill
Third graders use oil, feathers, eggs, rubber bands, and more to create a simulated oil spill and then clean it up. In this oil spill lesson plan, 3rd graders discuss what their cleaning process is like and how the oceans are effected...
Curated OER
That Is a Lot of Rain
Students investigate the amount of rainfall in Manu, Peru. They view and discuss a video and fill a rain guage with the amount of rainfall in Manu. They research and compare local rainfall amounts to those of Manu, and write about what...
Curated OER
Penguins Nesting Know-How
Young scholars maintain a field journal as they follow penguin parents raising their chicks during the breeding season. They formulate testable questions. Students reflect on animal behavior in the field related to survival and chick...
Curated OER
Moon Phases
Sixth graders investigate the phases of the moon. In this moon phase instructional activity, 6th graders discover that the moon changes in a cycle as it orbits Earth. Students label pictures of moon phases and keep a moon phase...
Curated OER
Devil May Care?
Young scholars study about a deadly disease decimating the Tasmanian devil population. They research diseases that affect animals and write a fictional story about the animals they researched.
Curated OER
Ocean Observations
Students examine a coastal ocean. In this physical science/earth science lesson plan, students generate a list of questions about how researchers study the ocean. In addition, students investigate, through research on the computer, to...
Curated OER
Tubularastic Roller Coaster
Students observe the effect of gravity on objects. They use tubing and other materials to simulate a roller caster. Afterward, they create a journal to write their observations and summaries.
Curated OER
The Earth, Sun, Moon, And Stars
Fifth graders explore the solar system. In this solar system unit, 5th graders investigate numerous projects while rotating through learning centers. Students write about space and construct a space shuttle model. Students practice map...
Curated OER
What's the Fizz Factor
Students as a class create a fountain using both coke soda, and mentos candy. In this science instructional activity, students test which combination of coke and mentos products produce the tallest fountain. Students use the scientific...
Curated OER
Fun With Adhesives
Students observe, measure, and record the properties in making objects stick together using science tools. In this science lesson, students explore with their senses while mixing flour and water. Additionally, students share their...
Curated OER
The Shapes of Flight
Students explore interaction between mathematics, science, and technology as they look at process of researching, developing, testing, and evaluating airplane design. They calculate glide ratio for model paper airplane by using data...
Curated OER
Sacred Places: California Missions from Different Perspectives
Students create a project poster displaying photos, drawings, and journal writings that incorporate the major themes of California's missions, and use perspective and point of view both visually and in writing.