Curated OER
Let's Learn About Plants!
Take your class on a nature walk around the school and have children assume the role of "Plant Hunter" as they go. The goal is to explore the different parts of a plant. They return to the classroom to discuss the parts that they saw and...
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Let's Grow Plants!
Learners read and dramatize the stories "The Tiny Seed" and "The Carrot Seed" as an introduction to seeds and what they become. They work in small groups to plant their own seeds and over the span of a week (+ or -)students keep track of...
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Four Seasons
Students identify the change in the seasons. In this earth science lesson, students describe weather of each of the seasons and illustrate pictures of each season. Students discuss their illustrations with their classmates.
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Science Trail
Students explore the solar system by conducting Earth science experiments. In this Sun lesson, students identify the different seasons on Earth and discuss their purpose and cause. Students create a sundial and observe the changes to...
Teach Engineering
Capturing the Sun's Warmth
Passive solar heating is a technology that's been in use for thousands of years. Here, elementary schoolers are exposed to this type of heating, the materials that are used in passive solar heating, and they study how engineers design...
Curated OER
Springtime
Students examine the use of KidPix software before making a slide show that shows their ideas about spring. They listen to books about seasonal change. Next, they draw a spring picture, write a sentence and their name on their KidPix...
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Four Seasons Class Mural
Students create a class mural showing them involved in different activities appropriate for the season they are examining. They describe the season they are examining and activities related to it. They practice using their listening and...
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Picnics-- Chinese Style
Third graders explore about the Chinese rituals of poetry competition. They compare and contrast Chinese picnics with American picnics. Students create short poems, celebrating their own spring poetry picnic. They discuss words or...
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Tick-Tock: Biological Clock
Students complete several activities that stimulate their assessment of time. They consider the term 'biological clock' and how animals in the wild depend on their own internal clocks for survival.
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Astronomy With a Stick
Students find the altitude of the Sun at 10 A.M., at solar noon, and at 2 P.M. by measuring the height of the gnomon and the length of the shadow at each time. They record the measurements in their notebooks for later conversion.
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Grow a Plant
Young scholars combine their prior knowledge about plants with a garden learning activity. In this science gardening lesson, students discuss what plants need to survive. Young scholars then plant a seed themselves and demonstrate...
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Pond Exploration
Learners take a hands-on approach to explore the world beneath the water in this activity. They examine the creatures they catch to study about the adaptations these animals have that allow them to survive in this harsh environment. They...
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The Four Seasons for First Grade
First graders examine the seasonal changes that occur. Students listen to the book "Caps, Hats, Socks, and Mittens" before discussing the current weather and any approaching holidays. After a brief lecture on the different seasons, they...
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Where Does Earth's Heat Come From?
Students try to determine how the Earth is heated by the sun and other sources. In groups, they identify the other sources of energy and discover why different parts of the world are heated differently during the year. They complete an...
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Planet of Plenty
Students examine a small piece of land to determine the diversity of life on Earth. They role play as visitors from outer space seeing life on Earth for the first time. They measure and observe their plots while working in small groups....
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Ditch Playing in Ditches
Students explore about the power of fast moving water and the dangers of playing in storm water ways. They explore the realities of flash flooding and how to choose safer summertime activities. Students become familiar with the city's...
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Has the Look of Nebraska Changed from 1819 to the 21st Century?
Eighth graders examine and analyze maps of early Nebraska. Using the maps, they compare and contrast them to those of today and identifying how the area has changed over time. They complete a worksheet over the differences in the maps...
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Watershed Awareness
Students investigate the relationship between upstream influences in their watershed and the watershed's estuary. They apply the scientific process to test a hypothesis while examining the impact of upland activities on estuaries.
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Whipping up Willows
Students use the information they were able to discover from elders and community members as a basis for their study of ows. This lesson leads to a time of sharing with the elders and community members who provided information to Students.
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Ribbit! Ribbit!
Students research a frog's life cycle and habitat using books, the Internet and lecture. Students make origami frogs, write letters to Toad from Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad" and participate in a simulated camouflage activity.
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Wavelength and Energy
Students using a rope and other materials explore wavelengths and frequency. If time permits, more experiments can be tried.
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The Effects of Ultraviolet Light on Lumbriculus
Students explore the effects of ultraviolet light on Lumbriculus. They expose ultraviolet light to Lumbriculus (worm) and determine the lethal exposure time. They examine the worm and record their observations.
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Amazing Apes
Middle schoolers explore the world of apes. For this reading skills lesson, students complete a jigsaw reading activity (the reading material is not included) regarding orangutans.
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Origami Frogs
Ninth graders explore a variety of geometry and science concept while making an origami frog. The fold paper into the shape of a frog and conduct measurement activities including frog leaps.