| Name |
Description |
| Butterfly Life Cycle: | In this lesson, students will explore the life cycle of the butterfly through different centers and observation of a living butterfly going through its life cycle. |
| Energized: | In this lesson, students explore different ways we use energy and then use those concepts to create a functional solar oven. |
| Float or Sink?: | This lesson builds on lessons regarding the different properties of solids by having students explore how different objects float or sink when placed in water. |
| Properties of Solids: | This lesson (intended to be used with other sorting lessons) allows students to understand the basic concepts of matter and properties of solids. This lesson involves the creation of a vocabulary chart with a child-friendly definition of matter and a Thinking Map with the varying properties of solids that students can use to sort different objects. Students explore two different objects and record their observations about the objects' properties. |
| The Plant Life Cycle (using lima beans): | In this lesson, students observe the life cycle of a lima bean. |
| What's the Weather?: | In this lesson, students use daily observations, videos, and activities to learn about meteorology and the changing nature of weather. Students also identify weather events that are commonly reported in the news and discuss how weather affects lives. |
| Your Own Backyard: | Each of Earth's different environments has its own natural features; this lesson uses multimedia resources to introduce a variety of environments to students. First, students will discuss local environmental features, then take a field trip to explore them. Next, they'll watch videos of different environment types, then compare and contrast their features. Finally, they will discuss the geologic features of interesting places they've visited. |
| Name |
Description |
| How do Objects Move | Engineering Design Challenge: | In this unit, students explore and explain the many different ways that an object moves and how its properties affect its movements. In one lesson ("In What Ways"), students predict and test their predictions on how different objects will move when gently pushed on their desks. In "Do All Tops Spin Alike?," students use different materials to construct their own tops and test its movements. "Making Objects Move" introduces the concept of acceleration and allows students to use different sizes and types of balls and other materials to build tracks that will be used to stop the ball at a certain location. "Playground Equipment" gives an engineering experience by engaging students in a competition with a given scenario and asking them to design, test, and re-design (if necessary) a functioning piece of new playground equipment (the terms "force," "motion," "gravity," and "simple machine" are introduced). |
| Matter: Solids: | In this unit, properties of matter are introduced and solids are explored. Exposure to the engineering design process synthesizes information learned about solids and asks students to create a homemade play dough recipe. |
| Parts of the Human Body: | In this unit, students explore the major parts of the body in different stations. An engineering design process lesson allows students to design and construct a helmet that protects the "main computer" for your body: the brain. |
| Rock Composition and Classification: | In this unit, the class is introduced to how rocks are formed, where they come from, and the many shapes and sizes that they are found. A class rock collection is made from samples collected around the school and a final lab shows the concept of erosion through rock "shakers." |
| Soil Composition and Classification: | This unit builds on the previous lessons about rocks to explore soil. Different types of soil samples are observed, classified by various attributes, and manipulated by adding water. Finally, the "Cement" lesson involves synthesis of information learned from previous lessons in an engineering design lab that asks students to build a wall from their own mortar mixture creation that will withstand the force of a rolling ball. |
| Weather Measure: | In this unit, students learn about meteorology and act as meteorologists, predict and take temperature measurements, and create a severe weather preparedness plan. |
| What Makes Objects Move?: | In this unit, students use different objects and observations to explore what factors influence an objects' motion. |
