Curated OER
Pen Pals
Students make their own predictions about the amount of different types of birds at each site before they go there. In groups, they collect the bird data and compose letters to their pen pals sharing their information. To end the lesson,...
The New York Times
Soccer Fever: Learning About the World Cup in Brazil
What an incredible collection of ideas for teaching about the 2014 World Cup in Brazil! This resource is packed with news articles and instructional activities on a wide variety of topics, from the global popularity of soccer and the...
Curated OER
Monkey See, Monkey Do
Students consider the influence of bullies and map the social ecosystem of their schools. They create lifelines that compare baboon and human development and write an essay that considers the relationship between psychosocial development...
Curated OER
Mining Riches
Young scholars research and map how various mining ventures have changed local geographies and populations. First they read the article provided--Examining the Environmental and Social Impact of the Mining Industry.
Curated OER
The Threat of Bioterrorism
Students assess germ warfare and debating related ethical issues in the social studies classroom
Curated OER
Foliage Tracker
Young scholars discuss the change of leaf colors and the role that climate and elevation play in those changes. They then track leaf changes, input data, and graph foliage changes with a free online tool.
Earth Day Network
Staying Green While Being Clean
Clean up the environment with a lesson that focuses on replacing hazardous cleaning supplies with green, environmentally-friendly products. Using a dirty patch of surface as a control area, kids clean other parts of various surfaces...
Earth Day Network
Filtering Water
See the water filtration system up close with a fun science experiment. Young scientists work for several class periods to design a water filter using household objects, and then decide which filter material would be most effective...
Earth Day Network
Conserving Water Through Art!
Having fresh, clean drinking water is a privilege many people take for granted. Help raise awareness about the scarcity of water and the importance of conservation by discussing different ways water is used in everyday life. Brainstorm...
Curated OER
Peer Review Meets D.I.Y.: Publishing a Student Science Journal
Peer review of science laboratory reports? You bet! First, learners work in pairs to review a scientific article. Then they trade lab reports for peer review. The end result is the publication of a classroom scientific journal!
Curated OER
Discussion of Adaptation
Young scholars discuss ways in which dinosaurs adapted to their environments. They apply the same logic to an analysis of human habitat, survival needs, and survival need fulfillment to explain how people have adapted to their environment.
Curated OER
Publisher Brochures
Students create brochures on subjects they are studying in Publisher. In this nonfiction writing instructional activity, students use Publisher to create a brochure telling all the main ideas of a topic they are studying. Students use...
Curated OER
Pick a Holiday
Students use the Internet resources provided and their own searches to select and investigate a holiday of interest to them. They present their findings to the rest of the class in a format of their choice.
Curated OER
Environmental Voting Records of Legislators
Students collect and record data on the environmental voting record of their local and state legislators using the Internet. They identify examples of environmental problems or endangered species in their state.
Curated OER
Animal Characteristics
Students create a graphic organizer to study animal characteristics. In this animal characteristics lesson plan, students use a program in Microsoft Word to create a brainstorm about different animal characteristics.
Curated OER
Biodiversity Debate - Stream Side Science
Role play community members who are both for and against the construction of a dam. Research the pros and cons and then hold a classroom debate. This activity ideally follows a series of stream studies, links to which are included. Use...
Curated OER
They're more evolved that way
Students explore the notion of local evolution, or genetic selectivity among different continent-based human populations. They consider specific examples of local evolution, such as lactose tolerance, skin color, and cognitive capacity,...
Curated OER
Raising Rhino Awareness
Students create a poster that promotes awareness about endangered animals. In this biology lesson, students explain the impact of rhinoceros poaching. They create a poem about them and present it in class.
Curated OER
Keystone Science School: Sustainable Automobiles
Students explore how to choose the correct car for them based on their needs.
Curated OER
The Meaning of Dreams
Students reflect on the meaning of dreams and how scientists study dreams. They read and discuss the article "Winding Through Big Dreams Are the Threads of Our Lives." They write personal summaries and analysis of memorable, vivid dreams.
Curated OER
Introducing Biodiversity
Young scholars investigate biodiversity by creating reports with their classmates. In this ecosystem instructional activity, students utilize the Internet to research the different types of life in our environment and different...
Curated OER
Digging Into the Past
Fifth graders study fossils and how they are charted. In this fossil lesson plan, 5th graders research the excavation process of discovering fossils, and view fossils. They then do a hands on activity that involves plastic fossils that...
Curated OER
No Fossils in This Fuel!
Learners explain how technology leads to a cleaner environment. They gain hands-on experience with ethanol as a fuel alternative.
Curated OER
Wildlife, Wolves, Endangered Species
Learners use the Internet to research wildlife and conservation efforts. They examine pictures and graphics to research endangered species and humans role in their lives. They also use math to measure areas of habitats and add the number...