Curated OER
Classifying Rocks
Students classify rocks into groups after they observe the rocks and identify properties that can be used to divide them into groups.  They then identify other properties that could be used to classify other objects into groups.
Curated OER
Pattern People
Students describe a wide variety of classification schemes and patterns related to physical characteristics and sensory attributes of people. They recognize, extend and create a wide variety of those patterns and relations.
Curated OER
Animals Galore
Third graders use structural characteristics to sort and classify animals into groups.
Curated OER
Name That Tune
Fourth graders listen to different types of music, then categorize them into two different areas of classification.
Curated OER
Animal clues
Fifth graders use general knowledge to make educated guesses about the habitat and survival strategies of animals from Australia, Antarctica and Africa. They research to confirm and check ideas and group animals in a variety of ways.
Curated OER
What's In A Name?
Students create a binomial system of nomenclature for classifying organisms they encounter in a field trip to a natural history museum or from pictures in library books.  They work in small groups to create accurate drawings and place...
Curated OER
Survival
Students identify characteristics of Australia, Africa and Antarctica and compare and contrast them to each other. They work together to identify adaptations that animals have used to survive. They also practice classifying animals.
Curated OER
Insect Book
Fifth graders select an insect and create a page for an Insect ABC book to display their research.  They choose an insect from a given letter of the alphabet and use KidPix to illustrate.  They write 2-3 sentences describing their insect...
Curated OER
Tree-Mendous!
Students classify trees. In this tree-mendous lesson, students categorize a variety of trees to assist them in playing a Jeopardy like game.  Students identify new vocabulary terms and classify the uses and benefits of trees for...
Curated OER
Lords of the Night
Second graders explore bird classification, specifically owls. They dissect their own owl pellet and explain the predetor and prey relationship.
Curated OER
Sea Turtles
Students investigate eight different species of sea turtles while being involved in classroom lecture and video presentation. The characteristics used to identify sea turtles is taught to help students identify unknown species.
Curated OER
Outdoor Activities: Taking Science Outside
Students participate in various outdoor science activities to enhance their observation, classification, and analysis skills. In this outdoor instructional activity, students begin by observing a tree from a straightforward angle, then...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Alike and Different
Students compare and contrast objects and are introduced to a Venn Diagram. In this alike and different lesson plan, students make observations regarding properties of objects. Students classify object and build ideas about variables....
Curated OER
Supplies
Fifth graders determine what supplies they will take with them in order to survive their trip through the Amazon.  The use estimation and basic math skills to determine how much they can carry and what they can use to survive in the Amazon.
Curated OER
Variation
Learners practice sorting living things into groups using their characteristics.  Using pictures of leaves and animals, they sort them based on their color and shape and write the objects characteristics under the picture.  They share...
Curated OER
Grouping and Changing Materials
Young scholars feel and observe different types of materials.  Using the internet, they sort objects based on the materials they are made from and justify their reasons for putting it in a certain category.  They identify objects that...
Curated OER
Animal Reports
Third graders choose an animal to research and write a report about. They determine the animals' habitat, animal classification, whether it is endangered or extinct, and the type of food it eats. Also, they add any special...
Curated OER
Alien Invaders: Native vs. Exotic Species
Seventh graders investigate the differences between native and non-native species. They answer different level questions using Bloom's Taxonomy. This is done creatively with  the students playing a version of the game Jeopardy. Students...
Curated OER
Thinking Spelling
An etymology resource is packed with suggestions for activities designed to build phonological, visual, morphemic, and etymological spelling skills.
Curated OER
Regarding the Fountain: Questioning Strategy—Cubing
Look deeper into the text with a reading strategy based on asking critical thinking questions. While reading Reading the Fountain by Kate Klise, learners think of questions that help them describe, compare, associate, analyze,...
Curated OER
Gallery Walk Questions about Energy and Material Cycles
Students state the physical, chemical or biological processes associated with these environments: Pelagic ocean zone, California coat Cave, Indiana Barrier island beach, North Carolina Sand dune, Dunes National Park, Colorado Wetland and...
Curated OER
Digital Leaf collections
Seventh graders collect and classify leaves.  In this digital leaf collection lesson, 7th graders photograph approximately 20 leaves.  Students use their leaves in a multimedia presentation and create hyperlinks to identify the...
Curated OER
Milk and Monarch Butterfly Mania Journal Entry
In this milk and monarch butterfly mania journal entry worksheet, students write a scientific journal entry about the milkweed plant, using the information from another linked website.  This worksheet includes many links to other...
Curated OER
Using Primary Sources in the Classroom
Students draw their own conclusions by studying documents created in the past.