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How Plants Help Us Breathe
Third graders discuss how humans breathe and how plants help us to stay alive. In groups, they identify and label the different parts of plants and describe their functions. They compare and contrast the ways plants and animals breathe...
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Fishing
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman. For this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Interdependence and Adaptation
Fifth graders construct a food web to illustrate how animals and plants are interdependent. In this interdependence lesson plan, 5th graders identify how consumers, producers, herbivores, carnivores and predators are related in a...
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Reversible and irreversible changes
Students experiment with solids and liquids to find which solids will dissolve in water. This dissolution and mixtures lesson can be completed online or in class as all materials are connected to the lesson plan for both settings.
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Recovering the Romanovs
Students use DNA to solve an identity mystery. For this biology lesson, students use the Internet to gather information about sex-linked disorders and complete a Punnett square for hemophilia, then examine a handwriting analysis, ear...
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Arthropods at Home- Spider, Isopod, or Any Arthropod
Young scholars design a habitat for an arthropod. In this organisms lesson, students read the book, A House is a House For Me. Young scholars find an arthropod and create a terrarium.
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Energizing Resources
Seventh graders describe electrical energy and how it is produced. In this natural resource lesson, 7th graders explain the various ways of obtaining and using natural resources for energy and the environmental consequences. They will...
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Micro-Organisms
Learners investigate micro-organisms with an on line activity. In this micro-organism on line lesson plan, students identify bacteria, viruses and fungi projected onto a white board. Learners work in groups and use a computer and an on...
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Using Electricity
Students read The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch to become familiar with the way a lighthouse works.In this using electricity lesson, student create lighthouses with plasticine clay and a working circuit. Students complete a worksheet on...
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Sorting and Using Materials
Students explore materials and their properties. For this matter lesson, students identify objects and describe their properties. Students test and sort materials using an interactive whiteboard, followed by a group discussion of what...
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Friction
Students compare and contrast the movement of objects on different surfaces, experimenting with friction and forces of motion. This friction instructional activity has numerous online tools including worksheets and virtual activities;...
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How We See Things
Students investigate how mirrors reflect light. In this reflection lesson, students draw the path of the light reflected from a mirror. Students construct a list of objects that are light sources.
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Weather, Sea Level Rise and Climate Change
Students compare the carbon dioxide content of four different samples. For this chemistry lesson, students research the causes of global warming. They explain how humans contribute to rising global temperature.
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Sleet and Hail Have Their Own Seasons
Second graders explain the definition of hail and sleet. In this precipitation lesson, 2nd graders discuss when hail and sleet fall and the results of hail falling.
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Environmental Health Hazards and Children
Learners are introduced to the environmental hazards their community is facing. In groups, they develop a list of the ways humans have changed the Earth and how these changes have lead to environmental hazards. They record their...
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What Happens to a Seed?
In this creative lesson on seeds, 1st graders listen as the book The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle is read to them about the life of a seed. Students then draw a picture to show the life cycle of a seed in each season.
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Bubbles
Learners observe the characteristics of bubbles. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students use a bubble solution and a wand to make bubbles and observe their characteristics. Learners identify the shape and the color of the bubbles.
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Heading South
Learners look at the migration of different birds. In this migration lesson, students discuss why an animal migrates and problems that can occur during migration. They look at several downloadable maps that show the specific routes of...
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Monk Seal Research Expedition
Students study data. In this seal research instructional activity, students act as scientific researchers observing Monk seals in their habitat. They work in small groups to record data from a video and when through they share a piece of...
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Communication Methods
Students explore communications by participating in a science class activity. In this communication technology instructional activity, students discuss the process of morse code, its history, and the electromagnets used to create the...
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Native American Three Sisters Gardens
Students investigate companion planting. In this communtiy gardening lesson students explore the tradition of the Native American Three Sisters gardening approach. Students act as botanists, anthropologists, folklorists, and curators.
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The Wonders of Bacteria
Students explore the evolution and features of bacteria through a series of activities. In this biology lesson, students collect data and graph bacterial growth. They design a brochure about bacteria's role in society.
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Rising Temperatures Threaten Penguins
Students examine the continent of Antarctica, then read a news article about the decline in the Antarctic penguin population. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and...
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Scientists Breed See-Through Frogs
Students participate in a pre-reading activity, then read a news article about the breeding of transparent frogs. In this biology and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a question and a vocabulary activity,...