Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fractals, An Inquiry: Day 3

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop questions for their inquiries and plan their experiments. They are supported by a modeled case study of Max the Dog's Inquiry Planning Process, as well as supported by a planning template, The Inquiry Organizer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Insect Monitoring

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students practice the scientific method in the classroom, either in preparation or as a substitution for real-world field experience. They examine a simulated biodiversity research situation, using a "mini-plot" or sampling square...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roll Away Trees

For Teachers 1st
First graders participate in a simulation involving newspaper, food coloring, water, and more to observe the debarking process of producing wood. In this wood lesson plan, 1st graders also measure, and learn about reducing, reusing, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Insect Monitoring

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers participate in an interactive lesson using the scientific method to study biodiversity.  For this insect monitoring lesson, students simulate the layers of soil and the insects that would live there. Middle...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Egg Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners comprehend the three basic steps of science: 1) Observation, 2) Statements of cause and effect (Hypotheses), and 3) Testing. By working with an egg, students are required to observe an object that is very common to them. This...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charles Darwin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research Charles Darwin and the process he used to develop his theory of evolution. They keep a journal about the skill of observation and make a newspaper of their learning.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

So You Want To Be A Mythbuster?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize the parts used to construct a car.  In this mythbuster lesson, students will use the scientific method to complete an experiment with student constructed cars to bust a myth. Students will reflect on what they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spiders: An Organism for Teaching Biology

For Teachers All
In this unit, the students explore basic ecology concepts and scientific processes using spiders as model organisms. They capture spiders, observe and care for them, and use them to answer their own questions about spider behavior....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students determine the density of different substances. In this physical science lesson, students rank them according to their density. They discover the relationship between volume and density.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification: Dichotomous Key

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners explain the classification process of organisms. In this biology lesson, students practice writing the names of organisms scientifically. They answer the dichotomous key and discuss answers as a class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Critter? Growth

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify and use the elements of the scientific inquiry to solve problems. They explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter. Pupils write an explanation of polymers and how the characteristic of polymers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Farming Fantastic Friends

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders demonstrate scientific inquiry to design and perform an experiment involving Grow Creatures. They participate in a class discussion, and in small groups design an experiment that determines how to change the materials to...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Fact vs. Opinion: Theory, Hypothesis, and Bias

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Emphasize the differences between a theory and a hypothesis to teach your class how to avoid scientific bias.
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Physical and Chemical Properties of Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How can you effectively provide detailed concepts of water properties to your high school class in a way they find exciting and challenging at the same time? By letting them play, of course! Through a variety of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

HABITAT for the other 90%

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the connection between the habitat needs of endemic species to the habitat needs of humans.  In this habitat lesson pupils research the habitat requirements of a given family then develop an idea to improve the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Local Animal Sort

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the concepts of sorting and classifying animal. They use familiar animals to determine the connections between physical characteristics and categorization.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Experiences and Experiments - There is a Difference

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders plan and conduct an experiment on food spoilage. They design the experiment, create a display, record and analyze data, and make inferences regarding the results of the experiment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Total Recall

For Teachers 3rd
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Creature Classification

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars develop a Taxonomic Key for marine invertebrates from pictures they are given after practicing together with common objects, such as shoes. They then compare their key to a provided Ocean Invertebrates Taxonomic Key.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification for Beginners

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the process of classification. In this rock classification lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to follow the provided steps to classify rocks.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science Lab Safety Procedures

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders watch a Lab Safety video and discuss particular questions related to lab safety. Lab equipment is then distributed and the students inspect the equipment and record their finding in their journal. Finally, in groups, 8th...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Definition and Applications of Computational Science

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students participate in a variety of instructional experiences about Computer Science. They define Computational Science and describe computational simulation. They also compare and contrast Computational Science and Computer Science.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What was Newton's Idea of Science?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students form logical foundations for analysis of observations. They improve analytic reading abilities through practice. Students investigate the foundations of scientific thought processes and how to apply them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using the Scientific Method to Determine Which Conditions Best Favor Plant Growth

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine how the environment can affect biological processes. They identify the best conditions for the germination of bean seeds. They record and analyze their data. They write about their observations in an essay.