Curated OER
Pond Water Survey
Students identify and describe various organisms living in a pond water environment. They describe the characteristics of living things. Students compare and contrast organisms created by asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction....
Curated OER
Love in the Time of Cholera
Students examine causes and treatment options for cholera. In this biology lesson plan, students model the osmotic basis of cholera using dialysis tubes. Students propose treatments for hypothetical patient.
Curated OER
Alternative Energy
Students discover types of energy. In this physics lesson, students discuss ways to power a car a design a model car kit with an alternative form of energy.
Curated OER
Bugs
Students participate in an after school program that promotes communications skills, hypothesizing, exploring, recording of data, leadership roles and making comparisons. They explore the world of insects, where they come from, how they...
Curated OER
Perception and the Brain
Students experience how the brain adapts over time to changes in what they perceive. In this human perception lesson, students wear special prism goggles that initially disorient the user. Over time, the student is able to adjust to the...
Curated OER
Measuring Calories in Food
Students measure the amount of calories in food. In this food energy lesson, students discuss what a calorie is, how our bodies use a calorie, and how many we need. Then, students use a calorimeter to calculate the amount of energy in a...
Curated OER
Machines: Designing Form and Function
Students design a boat model with simplified steam engine. For this ecology lesson, students compare renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. They determine the efficiency of their boat model.
Curated OER
Acid Rain in our State
Students conduct internet research on acid rain, a serious environmental problem. They examine the pH levels of rainwater for their state, collect data from their community and investigate the causes and solutions for acid rain.
Curated OER
Hatching Chickens
Students observe caring for eggs and chickens. In this hatching instructional activity students brainstorm what they know about chickens and carefully watch what happens.
Curated OER
Toilet Paper Geologic Time Scale
Students examine and demonstrate the extent of geologic time compared to recent time. They develop a demonstration of geologic time using an unrolled roll of toilet paper, with each sheet of toilet paper representing 20 million years.
Curated OER
How Can You See Which Soda Has More Sugar?
Sixth graders weigh regular and diet soda to see which one is heavier and therefore which one contains more sugar. In this soda lesson plan, 6th graders discover that regular soda contains more sugar because it weighs more.
Curated OER
Thinking Like a Scientist
Students explore the scientific method. Students identify the steps in the scientific method and explain what each step means. Students use these steps to determine if boys or girls are taller in their classroom.
Curated OER
Mighty Minerals
Students investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of minerals. They make a list of the uses of minerals found in Illinois. They write a report individually based on their observations.
Curated OER
Rotational Equilibrim: A Question of Balance
Students explore the concepts of rotational equilibrium. They examine the history Alexander Calder and his mobiles. Students solve simple algebraic equations. They predict, draw conclusions, graph equations and examine the rotational...
Virginia Department of Education
Analyzing and Interpreting Statistics
Use measures of variance to compare and analyze data sets. Pupils match histograms of data sets to their respective statistical measures. They then use calculated statistics to further analyze groups of data and use the results to make...
DiscoverE
Building Begins with a Beam
A sturdy beam made of foam seems like an oxymoron. Scholars design a 48-inch beam that can hold a one-pound weight. The beam should be sturdy enough so it doesn't bend too much. If it does, the egg placed underneath the beam will break.
Curated OER
Writing Process- Expository Writing
Expository writing is the focus of the language arts lesson presented here. In it, young writers review what expository writing is through a class discussion and teacher demonstration. Then, learners write expository text that describes...
Virginia Department of Education
World History and Geography to 1500 A.D.
Here's a great resource for your curriculum library. The 240-page packet, organized into units by topics, includes sample lesson plans, links to primary and secondary source documents, worksheets, activities, and sample assessments.
Curated OER
Using Word Maps to Expand Vocabulary
Looking for a good lesson on dictionary and word definition skills? The lesson presented here is for you! In it, learners utilize a worksheet, embedded in the plan, to record a word's definition(s), etymology, multiple meanings,...
Virginia Department of Education
Independent and Dependent Variables
Investigate the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Individuals begin by identifying independent and dependent variables from different problem situations. Then, using specific guidelines, they create posters...
Curated OER
Transition Words in Writing
Transition words in writing are the focus of the language arts lesson presented here. In it, learners cut out the word-sort cards (embedded in the plan), and put them into four categories: time, examples, space, and summary. They find a...
Curated OER
Lead Extraction
Students investigate one method used in the detection of lead in the soil. They use a Lead Check Soil Kit to safely obtain results in 30 minutes or less in levels of 400 ppm or above. In addition, they write a brief description of what...
Curated OER
Quick Breads, Pancake/Waffle Lab
Students explore the bread, cereal, grain food group on the Food Guide Pyramid. They test recipes for quick breads which are high in carbohydrates and determine the purpose of each of the ingredients in pancakes or waffles.
Curated OER
Interdisciplinary Approach to Investigating Popcorn
Students conduct a lab experiment using the scientific method. In this interdisciplinary lesson plan, students will test the difference in popping white and yellow corn. Students will write their lab report in their science, math,...