Students define trash, garbage, or solid waste, discuss ways of disposing of trash, list examples of biodegradable materials, and have trash relay race in order to sort trash into appropriate containers labeled biodegradable, reusable,...

Second graders are given a variety of materials to communicate the symbols of farm life. They create a mobile utilizing the given materials depicting farm life and following step-by-step instructions correctly. Students also read the...

Young scholars conduct scientific investigation in which they observe glacial effects on landscape, develop and explain their own theories of how glaciers change land, and demonstrate understanding and explain basic motion and force...

Fourth graders define the term matter. They compare properties of solids, liquids, and gases. They describe how matter changes from one state to another. They classify objects as either solid, liquid, or gas.

Students use sight, touch and chemical test kits to evaluate and classify soil types. They determine the organic content, soil pH, conduct visual analysis and nutrient tests of a variety of soil samples from various sources.

Fourth graders investigate the causes of erosion. Through several demonstrations including one using sugar cubes and warm water, they observe the effects of erosion. In groups, 4th graders conduct similar experiments and record their...

Students identify animals in ecosystem depicted on 16th Century ceramic basin and classify them as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores based on physical characteristics and prior knowledge, determine which life forms in ecosystem are...

Young scholars explore the impact natural events have on the environment, specifically the wetlands. They view a video about the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Delta and answer discussion questions.

In this reading comprehension worksheet, students enjoy a biography of Francis Scott Key, the author of the National Anthem. The students then answer 20 questions, some of which call on them to recall the words to the song.

In this experimental design worksheet, students are given a full comprehensive outline for designing an experiment. There are checklists included for each section of the experiment for students to use as a guide for properly completing...

Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students test whether gravity makes heavier things fall faster than lighter ones.

Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students spin separate colors into a new color just as the Magic School Bus kids did.

Students explore the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. In this photosynthesis and respiration lesson plan, students learn about the role of the chloroplasts in photosynthesis and about the role of mitochondria in respiration...

Students design a train route using a topographical map. In this historical and spatial thinking lesson plan, students must plan a route through the Sierra Nevada mountains that a train could physically travel. Links to printable student...

Students investigate the movement of balls and use different materials to make balls. In this bouncing balls lesson, students explore the movement of balls, they investigate the inside of balls and they design and make their own balls...

In this composition of soil instructional activity, students study the make-up of soil by identifying the amount of air in the soil, the amount of water in the soil, the size of the mineral grains in the soil and the proportion of humus...

Students examine the religions that developed along the Silk Road. In this compare and contrast activity, students visit various stations within the classroom to learn about the Silk Road and the two religions that developed. Using a...

Students explore the concept of probability.  In this probability lesson plan, students create a video, poster, or podcast explaining what experiments, sample space, events, and outcomes are in relation to probability. ...

For this radon worksheet, students read about radon in the city of Clinton New Jersey. They compose a play about a family in Clinton New Jersey who is face with high concentrations of radon in their home and how they deal with it....

Students examine different types of soil. In this soil lesson, students research different types of soil. Students create a podcast about a worm family looking for a new home using storyboarding or graphic organizers.

Students discover how air pressure effects flight.  In this physics lesson, students create two types of airplane wings so they can observe the way air pressure creates lift.  Students utilize a printout to create the airplane...

Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  For this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students...

Fourth graders participate in Tribal games. For this tribal nations lesson, 4th graders play games that help improve on the physical skills for survival, invention, and problem solving. They discuss what is needed for survival and how...

Students investigate the colonization of the United States by researching Thanksgiving.  In this U.S. history activity, students discuss the concept of Thanksgiving, who created it and what it was intended to do.  Students...