Browse lesson plans

Air is all around us

Air is everywhere. It cannot be seen, but it is all around us. This lesson helps students discover that air is everywhere.

Format: lesson plan (grade K Science)

By Jan Wuertz.

All about trash

Students will discover which kinds of trash break down naturally and which do not when they make their own landfills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Science)

By Dawn Gilbert.

Decomposition in freshwater

This lesson includes hands-on activities to demonstrate the process of decomposition in a freshwater ecosystem. It also focuses on the importance of decomposition and its critical role in the food chain.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

By Heather Lanier.

Float, sink, flink!

In this lesson, students will learn to make things flink, meaning they neither float to the top nor sink to the bottom of a fluid. They will discover that whether an object floats or sinks depends not only on the properties of the object itself, but also on the properties of the fluid (either gas or liquid) in which it is situated.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–4 Science)

By Erin Denniston.

Formation of a stream valley

This is a class of 12 Learning Disabled students taking Earth Science. It is a sophomore class. There are two attention deficit students. They all are good readers but have trouble with comprehension of science vocabulary.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Mark Clinkscales and Carrie Palmer.

Getting down & dirty with soils

In this lesson, we will explore different kinds of soil (humus, sand, clay). The students will plant seeds in the different soils as part of further exploration.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts and Science)

By Amy Rhyne, Paulette Keys, and Sarah Carson.

Investigating evaporation

Students will investigate evaporation as a cooling process. They will witness that temperature is affected by moisture content and the process of evaporation. Next, they will explore websites related to the processes of evaporation and condensation. Students will apply gained knowledge to real-life situations, and will share their new knowledge with a person outside the classroom.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Science)

By Jessica Bohn.

Learning about rocks

In this lesson, students will be engaged in hands-on experiences while they explore rocks.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics and Science)

By Debbie Hansman.

Minerals and math

Students will develop ways to create self-devised rules for classifying minerals and relate this information to scientific ways of classifying minerals according to their characteristics. They will then compile this information into a chart and convert parts of the chart into a line or bar graph.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Mathematics and Science)

By Courtney Richards.

Nephelococcygia - Cloud watching

As part of the 2nd grade science objectives dealing with weather, students will learn the various types of clouds as well as the term and the act of nephelococcygia -- cloud watching.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Computer/Technology Skills and Science)

By Kelley James.

Pollution plume

The students will simulate a plume to illustrate point source and non-point source pollution.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Jennifer Smith.

Rocks really rock! A lesson on the classification of rocks

This lesson will help students classify various rocks according to specified criteria. It will also help students classify a given rock using selected mineral identification tests. Students will use a graphic organizer to display their findings.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

By Grace Smith.

Time - Light and shadow (pre-visit)

Students examine the interplay of the earth and the sun by studying shadows. Students construct a sun clock and record shadows several times during a school day in order to use the earth and the sun to measure time.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics and Science)

By Denise Young.

Weather activities with Night of the Twisters

While reading the novel Night of the Twisters, students will complete activities related to weather concepts described in the story. Students will complete activities which explore the key concepts of cloud formation, air pressure, and local weather patterns.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)

By Melissa Bancroft.

Weathering the water cycle: Condensation

This lesson introduces students to condensation as one phase of the water cycle. Through the use of the four lessons in this series students will learn that the water cycle is a continuous cycle. The other lessons in this series include lessons on evaporation and precipitation as well as a conclusion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Science)

By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

Weathering the water cycle: Evaporation

Students will learn that evaporation is one of the three stages of the water cycle. The other lessons in this series include lessons on condensation and precipitation as well as a conclusion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Science)

By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

Who has seen the wind? Harnessing alternative energy

In this lesson plan, students conduct a series of investigations in order to understand issues surrounding the production of energy from wind, informed by the video "Roping the Wind in Texas" on the Powering a Nation website. Activities include discussing a video about the siting of a wind farm in Texas; conducting calculations based on local wind data; and using Google Earth, windNavigator software, and hands-on investigations to assess the potential for producing wind energy in the students' local area.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Linda Schmalbeck.

Resources on the web

Free Online MIT Course Materials

At this site MIT provides a number of great resources for high school teachers and students. These include video demonstrations, AP level practice problems and exam questions, hands on learning examples, and links to further resources from MIT education outreach... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: MIT