Science — Grade 5

Observing connections: Changing landscapes

The students will learn about the changing environment through study and observation. They will reflect on these changes in the environment and create their own landscape and habitat. This is the second lesson in “Observing connections,” a series of three in which students are creating art based on their observations.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 English Language Arts, Visual Arts Education, Social Studies, and Science)

By Lisa Mitchell.

Lesson plans on the web

Integrating literacy into the study of the Earth's surface

In this lesson that incorporates trade books, read-alouds, and dialogue journals, students are introduced to the bodies of water on the Earth's surface, including ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Science)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Ocean exploration museum

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students become familiar with ocean research, including hydrothermal vents and historical shipwrecks. They learn about the work of deep-sea explorer Robert Ballard and hypothesize about what they might find in the ocean. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

Social trade-offs

The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to make and evaluate decisions by weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each alternative. In the lesson, students practice the skill of decision-making through role-playing. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science