Virginia Department of Education
Acid-Base Theory
Litmus paper, why so blue? A chemistry lesson includes a pre-lab activity, practice calculating pH, an experiment measuring the pH in acids and bases, a titration demonstration, and a titration experiment.
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Water: Liquid or Solid?
First graders investigate how water can be both a liquid and a solid. They weigh popsicles and observe them as they write in their science journals. They measure the liquid as the popsicle melts and refreeze them to change them back...
Virginia Department of Education
A Salt Marsh Ecosystem
What a web we weave. Pupils use yarn as the primary resource to create a web depicting the intricacies of a salt marsh ecosystem. They participate in a question and answer session, which leads to an in-depth facilitated discussion...
Virginia Department of Education
States of Matter
Scientists have been studying exothermic reactions before they were cool. The lesson begins with a discussion and a demonstration of heat curves. Scholars then determine the heat of fusion of ice and the heat needed to...
Virginia Department of Education
Vapor Pressure and Colligative Properties
Hate to vacuum, but enjoy using a vacuum pump? Explore a lesson that starts with a demonstration of boiling water at various temperatures by using a vacuum pump. Then scholars design their own experiments to measure vapor pressure and...
Virginia Department of Education
Changes in Ecosystems
How does water pollution affect the environment? Provide your class with the resources to answer this question as they learn about eutrophication and ecosystem changes. Over two weeks, they simulate the effects of pollution on the...
Virginia Department of Education
Moles Lab Activities
Want my name and number? It's 6.0221415 times 10 to the 23rd, and my name is Avogadro. Providing nine different activities, experiments, and labs, this lesson keeps Avogadro relevant to your class all year long.
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Wonder Underground
Students classify and record objects they find "underground." In this observation lesson plan, students dig into bins filled with soil and encounter various objects such as bark, twigs, etc. Students classify their findings.
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Classification
Students explore the observable properties of matter and utilize them in classification. They use a binary classification system to divide objects, then justify their scheme.
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Classifying Items
In this classifying worksheet, students read about grouping similar objects into categories based on similarities. They determine how the groups are related and they draw a diagram showing categories and subcategories.
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SORTING ALL SORTS
Students examine how the method of classification is used. In this sorting lesson plan students take a pre-test, classify organisms and complete a crossword puzzle.
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Classifying
In this classifying worksheet, students are given 8 rows of illustrations of animals. Students try out various ways to organize the animals in a classification system following the directions. They try a 2 groups system and a 3-5 group...
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The Birds and the Beaks
Learners explore the adaptations that birds have. In this adaptations lesson students view a video and create a concept map of birds and their adaptive traits.
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The Tree Detective - Basic Dendrology
Students identify tree species by their leaf characteristics. In this dendrology lesson, students learn leaf vocabulary and collect leaves. They identify the leaves using the leaf characteristics and the vocabulary that they learned.
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Classification of Cerealites
Middle schoolers create a dichotomous key. For this categorizing lesson, students create a dichotomous key for different types of cereal. Middle schoolers classify the cereal into groups such as flakes and cereal with holes. Students...
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The Key To Classifying Animals
Explorers of the environment construct a dichotomous key for a variety of organisms and design a key to classify Galapagos animals based on descriptions and images. The lesson includes a link to an animal gallery and the worksheet for...
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Lunch
First graders view and sort a display of fruits and vegetables by one characteristic. They listen as the teacher reads the story, "Lunch." Students identify items on the pages as living or nonliving, fruit or vegetable. Using magazines,...
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Mystery Minerals
Students minerals and how they form. They investigate the classification of minerals according to physical properties. Students watch a video about mineral characteristics. In groups, students participate in hands-on activities and...
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Worm Compost & Vermicomposting
Students explore vermicomposting, the species of worms needed and the proper climate for it. In this composting lesson students make their own worm compost bin.
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Wildlife Around the World
Students examine how plants are able to adapt to their ecosystem and the role that fire plays in changes through the years. In this ecosystem instructional activity students complete several exercises focussing on plants and their...
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I Know What I Am... but, What Are You? (Classifying Living Things)
Learners examine how to classify living things by effects, environment, and activity. They explore various websites, develop a list of facts they learn about classifications, and participate in a distance online learning session with the...
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Tag and Recapture
Sixth graders participate in an activity in which colored jelly beans represent fish in a lake--10 green jellybeans per "lake" representing tagged fish. They draw from the beans (fish) and record the number of tagged fish they draw...
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Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?
Students compare wolves' behaviors to those of the human race. In this wolf lesson plan students write a story that will show that wolves are either good or evil.
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The Loneliest Animals
Students examine the different species that are headed towards extinction. In this animal population lesson students compare the causes of extinction, research an endangered species and present an oral report.