Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fractals, An Inquiry

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe and discuss several different fractal drawings and relate them to patterns they see in nature. They use an online fractal tool to create and modify a fractal image and then create their own fractal image with paint.
Worksheet
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Water and the Earth

For Students 4th - 5th
In this water and Earth worksheet, students read a 2 page article on water and the Earth, name the clouds in 2 pictures and then list 4 sources of water in nature.
Lesson Plan
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Butterflies and Frogs

For Teachers K
Students identify patterns found in nature.
Lesson Plan
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Sampling Rocks

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners investigate rocks. In this earth science lesson, students collect rocks from the schoolyard and describe each of the rocks. Learners measure and weigh each rock and record the results. Students create a rock guide for the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lunar Cycle

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students recognize that the eight phases of the moon repeat. In this lunar cycle lesson, students experiment to understand the phases of the moon. Students make observations and complete a "the Moon I See" worksheet.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Valued Animals - Colored Pencil and Crayon

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders see that pressure of crayon create range of values. They show value range with crayons in an art work. They see how value is used in works of art and explain the importance of animals and their environment.
Lesson Plan
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Interpreting Data and Building Hypothesis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define the term species, and graph species data together with previously collected data at the National Zoo. They interpret graphed data and recognize patterns in the streamside quadrant versus hillside quadrant. Students use...
Lesson Plan
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The Birds and the Beaks

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore the adaptations that birds have.  For this adaptations lesson students view a video and create a concept map of birds and their adaptive traits.
Lesson Plan
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You're as Cold as Ice!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the movement of glaciers and how they have affected the Earth.  In this geology instructional activity students simulate the effects glaciers have on landscape and watch video segments. 
Lesson Plan
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Kalahari Explorations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore world geography by completing graphic organizers and researching the Internet. In this Kalahari desert lesson, students identify the geographic location, weather and creation of the Kalahari desert. Students define a...
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Invasive Species

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners identify invasive species to the Great Lakes and analyze their impact on the ecosystem. Using photo cards with pictures and facts, young scientists work in small groups to match invasive species with their corresponding...
Lesson Plan
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Snuggle Up To Pattern Blocks

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners view and discuss a video about the use of pattern block shapes to form pictures. They, in groups, form garden and quilt designs using pattern blocks and then decorate the room with their art.
Lesson Plan
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Tsunami

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine what causes tsunamis and why they all behave differently.  In this tsunami lesson plan students complete a group activity after viewing a video. 
Lesson Plan
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Simple Sequencing

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders play a stand up version of musical chairs to find their sequencing partners. For this music and language arts lesson, 4th graders enjoy a game that requires them to organize a series of three pictures, then write sentences...
Lesson Plan
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World History: Why Civilizations Fall

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine factors leading to the demise of ancient civilizations. They list causes that led to the downfall of these societies. Students conduct Internet research and participate in online archaeological investigations.
Lesson Plan
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Make a Rain Stick

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a rain stick to imitate the nature sounds in a rainforest habitat. In this rainforest habitat lesson, students create a rain stick to mimic the cultural tools used in the South American rainforest. Students use paper...
Lesson Plan
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Take It Apart; Put It Together

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Young scholars design various items from recyclable materials. In this environmental friendly lesson, students study the construction of gift bags, envelopes and pocket folders and take them apart to make templates. Young scholars...
Lesson Plan
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Floods

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore Earth science by answering study questions on-line. In this natural disasters lesson, students research Australia flood statistics over the past 40 years and identify patterns. Students utilize the web to view...
Lesson Plan
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Pedigrees

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine various inheritance patterns using pedigrees. In groups, they predict what might happen to the offspring of a woman with normal vision and carries the recessive allele gene. They determine the genotypes of the man and...
Lesson Plan
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It's All in the Rings

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners examine how the environment influences tree growth. In this tree lesson, students analyze the growth of rings to see how plants adjust to adverse conditions in order to survive.
Lesson Plan
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Water 1: Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine the changes as water goes from solid to liquid. In this states of matter lesson, students observe and record the changes to water as it changes from solid to liquid and back to solid.
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

The Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Discover the change of the seasons by modeling the Earth-Sun system. Learners model the orbit of the Earth around the sun and explore how and why the patterns of winter and summer occur.
Lesson Plan
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Sorting

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students understand that sorting helps find things at a later date. In this sorting lesson, students use a website game and sort the common items. Students sort folders and other classroom items. Students discuss how sorting helped them...
Lesson Plan
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The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars record scientific observations in a science journal.  In this season instructional activity, students make observations about each of the seasons and record in their journals.  Young scholars record organisms...