Curated OER
Signs of the Seasons
Students closely observe the natural world, record data, and notice patterns as the seasons unfold, they build a deeper understanding of seasonal change! The definition of phonology is the focus of this lesson plan and how it changes...
Curated OER
The Birth of a Butterfly
Students explore the life cycle of a butterfly. In this butterfly lesson, students visit Internet websites, observe a live butterfly culture, and examine pictures of the stages of the butterfly life cycle in order to independently...
Curated OER
Clouds and the Weather
Fourth graders analyze the relationship of clouds and local weather. Students also observe and record cloud data and weather conditions daily as they research different cloud types. The data is analyzed looking for trends in daily...
Curated OER
Science Detectives
Fifth graders examine the differences between chemical and physical changes. As a class, they are read a scenerio and determine whether it was deliberate act or not. In groups, they observe the changes of an alka-seltzer tablet and...
Curated OER
Science: Total Recall
Third graders attempt to recall details about a person entering the classroom while they are involved in another activity. They test their skills of observation and memories by playing an interactive memory game.
Curated OER
Name That Cheese!
Students explore a variety of cheese. In this cheese instructional activity, students sample 4 different cheeses produced from cow's milk and recorded their observations about the cheeses prior to identifying them.
Curated OER
Science All Around You
Students visit and explore a Hands On Science Center (HOSC). They participate in a variety of self-guided table exercises and observe as scientists demonstrate various scientific principles.
CSI Crime Lab: Classroom Edition
Participants use their observation skills, communication skills, and reasoning skills to perform forensic tests and solve a crime. This series of activities provides a first-hand (but scaled-down) introduction to careers in Forensic...
Curated OER
Sunrise/Sunset
Third graders discovver what causes the dramatic colors of a sunset by seeing the changing color of light as it passes through a clear container of water to which milk is gradually added. They measure the liquids and observe what happens...
Curated OER
For the Birds
Second graders observe, identify, and document birds sighted at the library feeder station. They observe and document birds in order to begin their birder's life list. They apply scientific concepts and principles by using library...
Polar Trec
Animal Monitoring Introduction
Not only do mealworms taste great, they are also great for classroom science lessons. In pairs, young scientists observe and record what they see as they check out what their mealworms are doing from minute to minute. Each minute...
Curated OER
Technology Integration Project Weather Unit Plan
Students use a variety of technology-assisted weather observation tools to observe and record local weather. They identify, measure and record weather conditions, summarize types of clouds and make graphs of their observations. Students...
Curated OER
Using Your Marbles - Volume Measurement and Reporting
Demonstrate how to measure the volume of liquids and solids immersed in liquid to your class. They observe a teacher-led demonstration, and in small groups construct a data table that demonstrates how many marbles were used and the...
Curated OER
Twirly Whirly Milk
Student observe the effect soap (or detergent) has on the movement of food color in milk. Pupils observe the properties of solids and liquids while making butter. They read a poem, Shaking, and listen for ryhming words. Studdents...
Curated OER
What's The World Made Of?
Second graders identify the three states of matter by examining fishbowls with various contents. They discuss their observations and the characteristics of matter in each state. Pupils read the story The Rainbow Fish and look for...
Curated OER
Measurable You!
Conduct guided experiments and discussions while collecting anthropometric measurements. Your class will explore impact of experimental errors in a scientific system, and explain their observations/findings in writing. An introduction to...
Cornell University
Plant Cell Crime Scene
Use science to solve the mystery of the Poplar murder. Pupils use forensic botany to determine if a suspect could be the killer. By analyzing images from a Transmission Electron Microscope, learners determine if the material found on the...
Curated OER
Can You See It, Touch It, Hear It?
Students develop and practice observational skills through lab activity.
Curated OER
The Magical Diving Sub
First graders discuss and predict if a given object sinks or floats. They record their predictions on a data sheet. Pupils test the objects and organize them into floating/sinking groups. Students observe the floating and sinking of a...
Curated OER
What Goes Down Must Come Up
Third graders explore the capillary action of plants. They discover what makes paper "grow" when water is dropped on it. Pupils observe how paper reacts as it absorbs water. Students use a variety of saturate solutions to grow crystals,...
PHET
The Earth as a Magnet
Everyone loves playing with magnets and iron filings. Here, young scientists first observe and then participate in an activity demonstrating magnetic fields. After completing their observations, they apply this knowledge...
Curated OER
As a Matter of Fact
Elementary-aged scientists discover that all matter has mass. They are shown the difference between mass and weight, and learn how to calculate mass using the appropriate tools and methods. The scientific method is used while estimating...
Odell Education
Scientific Process and Experimental Design
The scientific method keeps you from believing only what you want to believe — it expands your mind. The lesson introduces the eight steps in the scientific process and how to design an experiment to biology scholars. Live insects...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Planetary Distances on the Playground
There's no need to stay inside; get out of the classroom and create a scaled map of the solar system on your playground field! In collaborative groups, scholars identify the distance between the sun and other planets, place planet...