Curated OER
Science Journal Writing: Observation, Problem Solving
Students consider the value of keeping a science journal. They make a journal and prepare the first entries.
Curated OER
Analyzing a Science Fiction Movie
Fourth graders watch the movie "Contact" and write a review. They discuss in their review how scientists deal with technological problems, the movie's connections to the nature of science and how technology affects science. They share...
Curated OER
Candy Reaction
In this triboluminescence worksheet, students use wint-o-green Lifesavers to observe a chemical reaction that gives off light. They break a lifesaver up with a hammer and make observations and they chew a lifesaver and make observations....
Curated OER
Mosquito Life Cycle
Seventh graders investigate the life cycle of the mosquito. In this life cycle lesson, 7th graders gain knowledge about the diseases mosquitos carry. Students breed mosquitos and investigate their eggs. Students collect and record...
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Liquid Layers
In this density worksheet, students investigate what will happen when various liquids with different densities are put into the same container. They hypothesis and make observations. Students answer 4 questions about their investigation...
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Curds and Whey
In this chemical reaction worksheet, students investigate the reaction that makes curds and whey. They mix milk and vinegar and run it through cheesecloth to collect the solid. Students make observations, read about curds and whey, and...
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Meeting an Earthworm
Students inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson plan, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Students demonstrate mastery through differentiated products. Lesson...
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Growing a Lawn
Students research plant growth. In this plant growth lesson, students explore the needs of plants. Students compare and contrast grass and broadleaf plants and grow a miniature lawn in a cup of soil. Resources are provided.
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Changing Crust
In this changing crust instructional activity, students use candy bars, licorice sticks and bubble gum to simulate the 3 types of forces that change the Earth's crust. These include compressional forces, tensional forces and transversal...
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A Bird's Eye View
Students discuss and observe examples of air pollution in order to learn how pollution may affect their daily lives. In this environmental science lesson, students identify dust as a form of pollution and discover how many materials...
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Pumpkin Exploring
Students use their senses to explore the make up of a pumpkin. In this senses and observation lesson, students cut off the top of a pumpkin, reach their hands inside the pumpkin, discuss the different senses they are experiencing,...
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Fun Activities Using Seeds
Students analyze the size, shape, and form of several different seeds. In this all about seeds lesson plan, students complete four activities involving characteristics of seeds. Students observe the seeds, record information about the...
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Mystery Game
Students examine objects and determine if they are living or nonliving. In this scientific observation lesson, students collect living and nonliving items from outside, record a drawing of each in their journal, and write a short...
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Mystery Bird Challenge
In this mystery bird challenge worksheet, students use geographic information, feeding habits and a picture to identify a bird, with numerous links to web resources for help.
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Mystery Boxes
In this observations worksheet, students are given a box with unknown items inside. They are to experiment with the box and determine what is inside by shaking, rattling and rolling the box. They write down an educated guess for six items.
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Models as Tools for Ecosystem Management
Fifth graders explore the concept of environmental management. In this ecosystem lesson, 5th graders discover how models help scientists learn more about managing ecosystems. Students create their own model, make observations and...
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Will It Sink or Float?
Learners conduct a science experiment to determine whether a variety of objects will sink or float. They discuss the concept of density, and then make predictions about whether the objects will sink or float. They then conduct the...
Science 4 Inquiry
Edible Plate Tectonics
Many people think they can't observe plate tectonics, but thanks to GPS, we know that Australia moves at a rate of 2.7 inches per year, North America at 1 inches per year, and the Pacific plate at more than 3 inches per year! Scholars...
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Investigating the Change
Sugar crystal growth is observed as an example of physical change and cabbage juice pH indicator is used to demonstrate chemical change. The crystal growth is tracked over five days. The cabbage juice experiment is involved and can also...
Science 4 Inquiry
Phases of the Moon
The moon takes just over 27 days to orbit around Earth. Young scientists position themselves as the earth as they rotate around the sun and hold the moon. This allows them to observe the patterns and phases of the moon.
Science 4 Inquiry
Maintaining Mass
Can you disprove the law of conservation of mass? Pupils observe the teacher weigh each part of a reaction. Then, the teacher weighs the result of the reaction and everyone sees that the products do not equal the reactants. Then they...
Curated OER
What are Igneous Rocks and How are They Formed?
Crystals form before your very eyes! What sixth grader wouldn't enjoy this lesson on igneous rock formation? Using hot Salol, junior geologists observe the crystal formation process as the material cools. This comprehensive lesson plan...
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Heat Transfer Demos
Step-by-step instructions are given for two hands-on activities. Young scientists cut out a paper spiral and hold it over a hot plate to demonstrate convection, and they place a small piece of wax on the end of a metal rod opposite the...
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An Introduction to the Night Sky and Movement Astronomy
Basically, this is an interactive exploration of educational astronomy software and an app. Young astronomers discover how the apparent motion of the sky relates to Earth's movements and the position of the observer. It is out of this...