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Atomic Structure Workbook
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Scientific Method Workbook
Farm Animals Theme Workbook
Science Teaching Themes
Science Graphic Organizers Set
Science Worksheets

Basic Science Principle Lesson Plans

  1. Acid/Base Indicators- To show that plant extracts are indicators for acids and bases.
  2. Balancing Equations- To learn to balance simple equations by the trial and error method.
  3. Balloon Fun- Excellent motivator; to peak curiosity in the world around each of us.
  4. Bubbles: Science or Fun?- After blowing bubbles, students will be able to test the effect of four differently shape wands and three geometric figures in a bubble mixture.
  5. Burning vs Heating- To teach the concepts of chemical and physical changes, and the differences between burning and heating.
  1. Can Cruncher- Purpose is to show what happens to the pressure inside a container of steam when it is cooled and how the pressure affects the boiling point of a liquid.
  2. Can You Measure Up!- The students will discover the importance of standards when measuring. The students will learn how to use the meter stick or meter tape.
  3. Changing the Freezing Point of Water with Salt- To determine the temperature at which water freezes. To understand why salt water freezes at a lower temperature than plain water.
  4. Computer Software and ACS Materials For Chemistry- Computer software can provide an acceptable alternative to doing experiments and demonstrations involving dangerous and/or expensive materials.
  5. Conservation of Energy- To demonstrate the law of the conservation of energy(blocks) without counting the units of energy directly.
  6. Creative Activities for the Sciences- The purpose of this endeavor is to provide three activities related to the sciences that will provide opportunity for creative growth in students of all age groups.
  7. Densities- This activity will help the middle school student understand the concept of density. Students will develop and utilize skills in observing, predicting and testing.
  8. Density- Discover that density is a unique physical property of matter.
  9. Density And Volume- Identify an unknown liquid substance after finding the density of several known substances.
  10. Density as a Unique Physical Property- Learn how to determine the volume of an object by two techniques: using volume formulas and displacement of water.
  11. Density Determination- Purpose is to learn and practice techniques and calculations for determining volume and density of a substance.
  12. Density of Liquids- Students will learn that the temperature of water affects its density.
  13. Density: Qualitative and Quantitative- I will measure the mass and volume of three objects and calculate the density of the material in each.
  14. Density Phenomena - Using the concept of density- I will use the term density to explain three applications of density presented by the teacher.
  15. Dichotomous Key- To develop understanding of how a dichotomous key is organized.
  16. Discovering C.A.S.T. (Cohesion, Adhesion and Surface Tension)- This lesson demonstrates the concepts of C.A.S.T. while participating in the experiments.
  17. Discovering Gravity: What Goes Up Must Come Down- Students will compare how fast objects of different weights fall.
  18. Dispersement of Particles: Diffusion and Osmosis- Students will be able to describe the many ways in which particles move and transfer from one source to other areas.
  19. Donut Sort- This is the clearest and easiest road to understanding construction of a dichotomous Key that I have found.
  20. Electricity: Static And Current- Compare conductors and insulators and explain how they are used. Construct a battery to show the electrical flow in order to demonstrate the proper use of electricity.
  21. Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures- To distinguish and describe the three types of matter: elements, compounds, mixtures.
  22. Estimation and Significant Figures- This activity will aid the student in understanding the estimation of measurements and the use of significant figures in measurement and calculations.
  23. Everyone has Problems, but Chemists have Solutions- Relate chemical solutions to everyday solutions.
  24. Eye Safety- To make the students aware of the need for eye safety in the classroom through three mini labs.
  25. Grab Bag Experiment- Students will describe: variable, data, axis, horizontal, vertical, manipulate, and respond.
  26. Indirect Observation- Students will develop an appreciation of indirect observation and make the connection between this activity and the historical determination of the molecular structure of matter.
  27. Is More Expensive More Absorbent?- Students will find out through experimentation which paper towel is the most absorbent as well as which one is the best cost value for their money.
  28. Just How Thick Is Aluminum Foil Anyway???- To determine the thickness of a sheet of aluminum foil from the density of aluminum metal.
  29. Learning Science Skills Through Use of Productivity Tools- To learn science skills of gathering information and of understanding and applying information and concepts.
  30. Looking at Variables- This lesson, using sugar cubes and water, exposes students to the variables (manipulated/independent, responding/dependent) found in scientific experimentation.
  31. Make Your Own Paper- Students will be able to plan, design, and produce a wooden deckle with a removable screen and make a piece of paper using the deckle.
  32. Making A Pinhole Camera- : The purpose of this activity is to introduce students to a basic property of light and how we use this property in our everyday lives.
  33. Making a Pinhole Coffee Can Camera- To understand the photographic process including camera operation and lights effect on photographic emulsions at a very affordable rate.
  34. Mass/Weight/Data/Graphing - "WHAT IS THE MASS OF A DINOSAUR?"- Students will learn the difference between mass and weight.
  35. Measurement- The students will learn the necessity for the use of standards.
  36. Measuring Temperature- Students are introduced to the concept of temperature. They realize that a thermometer is a more accurate way of measuring temperature than their fingers are. They learn that Celsius is the standard for measuring temperature.
  37. Metrics- To familarize intermediate grades 4-6 with the metric system.
  38. Metrics in the Home and in the Store- Students will be able to compare Metric Measurements used in common household items to their English equivalents.
  39. Paper Airplane Science- The purpose of this activity is for students to gather some baseline information, make one variable and test the results, make another variable and test the results, choose a paper plane design that they believe will fly the farthest and test the results, graph the longest and average distances flown for each of paper plane trails.
  40. Passing The Heat Along- To show fifth graders how heat passes through conductors. To show fifth graders how different materials contain heat.
  41. Periodicity (The Periodic Table)- Relate chemical properties of elements to their position in the Periodic Table.
  42. Physical And Chemical Changes- Students identify the different changes as they relate to matter.
  43. Physical and Chemical Changes In Matter- The student will also be able to recognize the difference, upon sight, when and why one of the changes occurred, and verbally explain what they have seen in their own words.
  44. Popcorn- Students will learn what causes popcorn to pop.
  45. Potato Chip Classification- The purpose of this activity is twofold. Used at the beginning of the year, it introduces the structure and function of a dichotomous key preparatory to asking students to identify plant and animal specimens. It also reinforces the idea that there are many "right" answers in science.
  46. Reading The Periodic Table- Categorize a group of shells and unknown elements using different characteristics.
  47. Relative Masses- The purpose of this mini-teach is to demonstrate the meaning of relative mass and to set up a scale of relative masses.
  48. Science Role Plays- To reinforce knowledge level information on processes in Science, several times for each child and in a 3-D format. To encourage creative thinking. To encourage cooperative efforts between students.
  49. Science Show- To help students be creative and involve younger students within the school system.
  50. Scientific Method: The Big Ahah- The students will be able to use the scientific method, understand it's importance to good scientific experimentation and provide justification for it's use.
  51. Sensational Slime- Predicting, observing, and drawing conclusions are key elements in the scientific process. This activity is designed to foster utilization of these skills while performing a hands-on experiment.
  52. Sewer Lice- Demonstrate forces of adhesion and cohesion and equilibrium density. Explain that if the pressure on a gas decreases, the gas will expand.
  53. Surface Tension (Soap Boat)- Students will become familiar with surface tension. Students will determine if soap will affect surface tension. Students will determine if water temperature affects surface tension.
  54. Temperature: Is It Hot Or Cold?- Students will understand temperature changes and will be able to read a thermometer.
  55. The Amazing Apple- To acquaint students with the phenomenon of using "an apple" to practice inquiry process skills of observing, classifying, inferring, predicting, using numbers, interpreting data, controlling variables and experimenting.
  56. The Conservation Of Mass (The Mass Of Gas)- This experiment will help students with their understanding of matter in all of its phases. It will show that in a chemical reaction where a gas is produced, the mass does not change.
  57. The Magnificent Breathing Machine- To become aware of the functions of the lungs in our bodies. To become aware that air is made up of gases.
  58. The Mole as a Large Number or An Exercise in Dimensional Analysis- This may be used either as a synthesis project where students are expected to bring together possessed knowledge to solve a problem, or as a demonstration either for the concept of large numbers or as a fairly complex example of what can be done with dimensional analysis (factor/label or whatever you may call it).
  59. The Relationship Between Salinity and the Density of Water- The student will be able to: a) find the density of a liquid b) understand the meaning of solubility and salinity.
  60. The Scientific Method Using Mystery Powders- Utilize the scientific process to determine the physical and chemical properties of a variety of common substances.
  61. The Touch n Feel Box- The object of the lesson is for students to identify one or more living and non-living things through the use of tactile perception, better known as the sense of touch.
  62. The World of Molecules- Students will perform phenomological activities related to ionic and covalent bonding.
  63. Thermodynamics- Endothermic and exothermic reactions.
  64. Using Density to Identify Metals- To teach the techniques of measuring the density of some common metals. To identify a metal by its density.
  65. Using Microscopes- To further the students understanding of cells and to give them the experience of using a microscope.
  66. What Objects Sink and What Objects Float- The objective of this mini-teach is to explore the problem of why certain objects sink and why certain objects float with Severe and Profound Non-categorical Special Education students.
  67. What's an Ecotect?- To develop creative thinking skills using cooperative learning groups.
  68. Where is my Peanut?- The purpose of this activity is designed to increase students' skills in observation, recording, fact and opinion. This activity forces students to use their observation skills and then convert their observations to hard data.

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