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Elaine Humphrey, Gwynne Thompson

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders become familiar with the parts of the microscope and how it works.  In this microscope lesson, 2nd graders experiment with different light and settings.  Students answer questions based on their experiment.
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Density and Mass

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners experiment to find which liquids are more dense.  In this density and mass lesson, students predict and then test objects to observe and measure their density. learners observe which items sink and float. Students complete...
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Solutions and Suspensions

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore matter by conducting an in class demonstration. In this liquid mixture lesson plan, students identify the difference between a solution in which a solid dissolves into liquid, and a suspension where the solid doesn't...
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Bioplastics

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners define bioplastics and identify its uses.  In this bioplastics lesson, students compare and contrast styrofoam to starch peanuts after careful examination.  Learners understand what biodegradeable means.
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Making Hail

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the different types of precipitation and conduct a hail experiment. They identify the types of precipitation during a slideshow, and define key vocabulary terms. Next, in small groups they follow the...
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Biomass: The Energy of the Future

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine information about a variety of renewable fuels. They read key vocabulary terms, read and discuss a story handout, and conduct research on renewable fuels. Students then complete a comparison chart, and write an...
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A Bugs Life: Diary of an Insect's Metamorphosis

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students play games to learn about the life stages and metamorphosis of different insects. In this insects lesson plan, students discuss the life of insects, and then play matching, vocabulary, and memory games.
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Costa Rican Sea Turtles

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students read "One Tiny Turtle" by Nicola Davies. Using the internet, they research the characteristics of turtles off of the Costa Rica coast. In groups, they complete a worksheet and define vocabulary words they are unfamiliar with. ...
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High Five Burger

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate agricultural sources. For this agricultural lesson, 5th graders read the book Have a Hamburger and See the U.S.A. and record each component of a hamburger. Students use a map of the U.S.A. to locate the...
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Food Chain: what's for dinner?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify where foods came from and sequence a food chain.  In this food chain lesson, 4th graders define vocabulary related to food chains and order a food chain. Students follow the energy of a food chain. Students...
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The Life Cycle of the Butterfly

For Teachers 1st
First graders, after listening to fictional and non-fictional literature about caterpillars, and observing caterpillars from egg to butterfly, write a "biography" of a caterpillar using appropriate vocabulary and time lines.
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Healthy Heart

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discover the power of their heart and provide an opportunity to talk about ways to maintain good health. For this early childhood heart lesson, students diagram a human heart, identify exercises that promote a healthy heart, and...
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Can You See the Light?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners investigate the transmission of light energy. In this light energy lesson, students observe bubbles using different colored filters and record their observations. They also look at a light source through various materials and...
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Counting Animal Populations

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students learn how to count animal populations by the Mark and Recapture method. In this counting animal populations lesson plan, students begin by predicting amounts of different candies in a jar. Students then simulate using beans, two...
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"Four" Goodness Sake

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders recognize that ethnicity, religion and geography are reflected in the food choices we make. In this food choices lesson, 4th graders discuss different types of food from different places. Students compare a menu to the...
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From Mashed to Riches

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students discuss the uses of a potato. In this food group lesson, students identify the five food groups and which one the potato belongs to. They create potato printing, compare different kinds of potatoes, grow a potato plant, and more.
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Clucking Chickens

For Teachers 1st - 5th Standards
A comb, wattle, and beak are three characteristics that describe a chicken. Your class can explore the life of a chicken through reading, art, movement, and music. Using a plastic cup and string, they'll create a pretend chicken that...
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Winter Weather Day 5: Follow Up

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students participate in culminating activities for a winter weather unit. They discuss what they have learned about winter weather, and write a diamante poem using winter vocabulary words. Students also construct a pinwheel and explore...
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Air Engine - Air Races

For Teachers Pre-K
Students conduct an experiment about air volume, density, and pressure. In this air lesson, students discuss air, and how it moves. They make predictions about what will happen during the balloon and string experiment. They document the...
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Rocks

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students examine and classify various types of rocks.  In this rock identification lesson, students complete a KWL chart about rocks and then read Let's Go Rock Collecting.  Students go on a walk to collect rocks and then...
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Magnets

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners conduct an experiment.  In this magnets lesson plan, students review what they know about magnetism, work in groups to determine the magnetism of various objects and discuss their results.
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How the Environment Affects Our Health

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore how the environment affects health. In this infectious disease instructional activity, 9th graders investigate what environmental situations cause infections diseases. Students study the symptoms, treatments,...
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Build a Catapult

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Studens construct their own catapult. In this history of catapults lesson, students work in groups to make their own model of a catapult. Students use physics vocabulary terms explain how the catapult works. Students test the...
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Pollution in Our Watershed

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students conduct an experiment.  For this pollution lesson, students review the vocabulary words watershed, pollution and pesticide.  Students create watersheds, spray pesticides on them, create precipitation and observe the...