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ACTIVITIES
A YEAR OF SCIENCE ACTIVITIES:
http://www.waterfordpress.com/game1.html
Animals, seashore studies, pond life, geology, weather, the night sky, or
plants... Find loads of elementary activities to download in pdf
printable sheets here for experiments, inquiries, animal tracks, picture scrambles,
worksheets, art pages, origami, mazes, connect-the-dots,
name scrambles, spotting the differences... a huge resource for a year of elementary science studies.
AUTUMN
WHY DO LEAVES CHANGE COLOR?
http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html
In this "Science Made Simple" lesson plan, students will explore the
reasons behind the season, in how and why leaves change their color. A
word scramble based on the subject matter is included.
SEPARATING LEAF COLORS:
http://www.4yi.com/2000/0925Autumn/s1.html
Students will get hands-on experience in colors in a leaf by using
rubbing alcohol to separate color. Follow the instructions here in this
supervised experiment for upper elementary to middle school students.
THE SEASON AND LANGUAGE OF COLOR:
http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2002/09/092302_fall.jhtml
Welcome to autumn, when leaves changing colors are one of the first
visible signs that long summer days have definitely left us. What are
some of the other signs of fall? Why does the autumnal equinox occur,
and what does it mean to various animals, plants, and humans? Let
students begin their investigations of fall here, and then read and
discuss the poetry included in the article. After locating further
examples of favorite autumn poems have your students create their own
versions, perhaps using acrostic formats for leaf, autumn, apple, or
other symbols of fall and building a class word bank with younger
students. Be
sure to post your student poems on your fall bulletin boards for a
wonderful Open House display.
COMMON FALL LEAVES:
http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/seasons/fall/fleaves/fleaves.htm
Print out copies of this fall leaf identification page, and then try to
create your own scrapbook by collecting corresponding leaves,
researching and including a bit of information on each leaf and tree, in
the style of a nature guidebook. Also consider contacting other
classrooms across the country for a leaf exchange for this project.
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BALLOONS
BUILD A BALLOON ROCKET CAR:
http://www.alaska.faa.gov/flt_std/aved/teachers/Rcar.html
These rocket cars are propelled by balloon power... deftly illustrating Newton's Third Law of Motion. Use recycled
styrofoam food trays, straw, tape, and balloons and hold a
race for your students' constructions.
AROUND THE WORLD IN A BALLOON:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/balloon/
A Teacher's Resource Guide is available at this site from
NOVA Online. Explore the science of ballooning--floating,
sinking, rising, the jet stream influences, Earth's atmosphere, etc., and link to interactive related activities
for students to explore the principles being addressed.
TISSUE PAPER BALLOONS:
http://www.explorium.org/tissue_balloons.htm
Create your own hot-air balloon... with tissue paper. Find
step-by-step instructions here to create a tissue paper balloon, a great science fair or summer project. This project
will require close adult supervision when launched with hot
air sources--instructions are included on site.
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CAMOUFLAGE
LEAF CAMOUFLAGE:
http://www.ducks.org/puddler/teachersguide/fall00activity/k3_fall00.html
Combining both science and art, early elementary studentswill create
their own leaf bugs in a classroom art project, then scatter them among
leaves outside to see how well they
blend in. Various camouflaging characteristics are covered in the lesson
plan.
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Frogs
SOMETHING FROGGY THIS WAY COMES!
http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow9/jun99/
Want to learn all about frog anatomy, habitats, and
habits this summer? It's easy with this site, where
you will first choose your grade level, and then travel through an interactive frog land to learn about frog
anatomy and habitat. Printable student activities are
included.
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HURRICANES
HOW DO HURRICANES GET THEIR NAMES?
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/F_Hurricane_Names.html
An online storybook for elementary students discusses just how
hurricanes got named. Comparing hurricanes to children and their needs
for growth, it also explores what makes a hurricane form and grow.
NASA HURRICANE PHOTOS:
http://www1.msfc.nasa.gov/newsroom/camex/camphotos.html
What does Earth look like from space, and what does our weather look
like around our planet? How about hurricanes, the wildest weather of
them all? Introduce your students
to satellite images of Hurricane Ivan, tracked from its beginning, with
archived photos from last year's hurricanes as well. When you have read
the accompanying text and viewed all the photos, have the students draw
and color their own hurricane pictures, and be sure to track Hurricane
Ivan's progress.
TRACK A HURRICANE:
http://www.miamisci.org/hurricane/instructions.html
In this online exploration, students will practice latitude and
longitude by tracking their choice of three different hurricanes.
HURRICANE LAB TEACHER STUDIO:
http://www.riverdeep.net/earthscience/data/hurricanes/hurricane_teacher.html
http://www.riverdeep.net/earthscience/data/hurricanes/hurricane_lab.html
Use the 2nd URL above to access the online Hurricane Lab, with warning
simulators, hurricane causes, storm warnings,and virtual visits. With
the teaching studio you can access an accompanying guide with teaching
tips, learning opportunities, and printable lab instructions.
THE EVOLUTION OF A HURRICANE:
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/graphics/hurricane/hurricane_explainer/flash.htm
How does a hurricane form and develop, and how does it become a gigantic
threat as it builds up? This animation is supported by labels and text
to discover just how nature's most spectacular and dangerous storm
occurs.
YOU'RE MAYOR, AND YOU HAVE A HURRICANE COMING!
http://weathereye.kgan.com/expert/hurricane/index.html
The good news is that you have just been named mayor of your city. The
bad news is that a hurricane, a very large hurricane, is coming directly
your way. What to do? Learn the hurricane basics first before you
decide.
MAKE A HURRICANE SPIRAL:
http://www.miamisci.org/hurricane/hurricanepopup.html
Print out two templates for creating a hurricane spiral,then color and
fasten them according to the directions here. When the wheel spins,
students should be able to see the spiral movements of a hurricane.
HURRICANE SCIENCE:
http://www.miamisci.org/hurricane/hurricane0.html
How do hurricanes form? Take a look inside a hurricane as it builds up
to a mighty storm. Read survivors' stories, track hurricanes, and learn
how to make your own weather monitoring instruments.
HURRICANE HOUSE:
http://www.fema.gov/kids/games/hurhouse/
In the event of a hurricane, how could you best prepare your house and
your yard? Students will click on the house to see which objects could
possibly cause problems during hurricanes.
HOW IN THE WORLD DO HURRICANES FORM:
http://www.ucar.edu/educ_outreach/webweather/hurricane2.html
You need to whip up a batch of some of the most violent weather on
Earth; how are you going to do it? Find the recipe here, and make sure
you follow the process and instructions well.
EYE IN THE SKY:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/hurricanes/hurrintro.html
Opening with devastating scenes wreaked by the power of hurricanes,
National Geographic offers an online investigation into the effects of
the science behind hurricanes.Online animations are included.
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Insects
SEE THE WORLD THROUGH THE EYES
OF A HONEY BEE:
http://cvs.anu.edu.au/andy/beye/beyehome.html
How does a honey bee see its world in order to fly about and hover, or
zoom in close range on its flower target?
Find out here with amazing images, looking at the world from a bee's eye
point of view.
THE SECRET LIVES OF ANTS:
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/ythfacts/allyr/ants.htm
Hypotheses, observations, data recording, and discussion all round out
these student activities on the world of ants--fascinating summer fare.
NATURE WORD SEARCH:
http://www.activitiesforkids.com/words/nature1.htm
Find the bees, the daisies, the slugs, the seeds, and the weeds in this
printable student word search on nature.
CRITTER CASE FILES:
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/CritterFiles/casefile/allfilescom.htm
What insects are the most wanted in your neck of the woods? Find "case
files" to compile a most wanted list books on wolfspiders, various
butterflies, scorpions, sowbugs, ticks, sting bugs, and more.
BUILD A CATERPILLAR ONLINE:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/explorer/ecosystems/mission_caterpillars.asp
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/explorer/ecosystems/be_an_explorer/map/form_caterpillars.htm
What kind of habitat matches your caterpillar? Make sure your
environment allows your critter to survive with whatever specialized
adaptations are necessary in this online learning game.
INVENTORS/INVENTIONS
INVENTOR OF THE WEEK:
http://web.mit.edu/invent/i-main.html
Learn about all the incredible men and women of the world
who have contributed to technology and innovation, with
this online exhibit featuring an inventor of the week.
THE INVENTOR'S HANDBOOK:
http://web.mit.edu/invent/h-main.html
If you have any potential inventors or entrepreneurs in your classes,
they will appreciate having this online inventor's handbook. Full text is available, with chapters
on patents, commercializing, licensing, developing business plans, raising capital, and further resources.
INVENTION CONNECTION:
http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena/org/i/invent/www/ima/connection.html
Inventions do not usually stand alone in time, but instead
rely on the shoulders of those that came before. This game
challenges students to trace a path of connection between
different inventions, with textual clues to help out.
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Physics
AMUSEMENT PARK PHYSICS:
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/
This popular Annenberg online interactive exhibit guides students
through the physics behind amusement parks. Students will be designing
their own roller coasters and bumper car rides, but make sure you go
through the entire tour first. You'll need to know which kind of wheels
to use, whether to design with wood or steel, and how to make your ride
safe. An online physics glossary is also available.
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READING COMPREHENSION
READING AND COMPREHENSION WORKSHEETS FOR SCIENCE:
http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/palmasola/rcompindex2.htm
For students in second and third grades, this site offers a wealth of
reading comprehension material on
appropriate science topics. Each selection is accompan-ied by a student
quiz or worksheet. Topics include animal adaptations, bean plant
sequencing cards, the solar system, and more.
RUBBER BANDS
RUBBERBANDOLOGY:
http://essc.calumet.purdue.edu/classroom_Activites/rubber
How many things can you do with a rubber band? How about
testing its properties, particularly in regards to its
most famous trait--elasticity. Change, prediction, observation, and analysis are all introduced in this science
project for upper elementary students. Student worksheets
are included.
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SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATIONS
EXPLORING CHANGE:
http://essc.calumet.purdue.edu/classroom_Activites/change
Primary students are introduced to the principles behind
scientific observation and study with this excellent lesson plan for kindergarten and first grade classes. They
will be learning how to observe, record, and analyze
changes, as well as use response sheets and make predictions. Student pictorial response sheets are included.
SEA SHELLS
OCEAN SCIENCE:
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceMathOceansClassificationSeashellsIdea3.htm
Seashells are used in this lesson plan for early elementary students in a classification and sorting activity.
BEACH IN A BAG:
http://www.kinderart.com/littles/beach.shtml
In this combined art and science lesson, students will
create their own mini-ocean scene in a baggie.
SEASHELL PAINTING:
http://www.kinderart.com/painting/seashell.shtml
Seashells become the canvasses in this wonderful painting activity for primary students.
WHAT LIVES IN A SHELL?
http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/IT/CONNECT/leduceast/WhatLivesInAShell/WebPage/teachres.html
Find a unit here, with student templates, based on the
book, "What Lives in a Shell?".
SWELL SHELLS:
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/nttidb/lessons/jx/shlljx.html
Where do shells come from? How are they used? Primary students will gain
new vocabulary as they learn how animals build and use shells to protect themselves.
SNAKES
SNAKE SENSE:
http://seabed.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/templates/output/games/game.tmpl?sequence=1&issue_id=0409&x=77&y=8
How well do you know your snakes? Test your knowledge with this online
Snake Sense game from National Geographic.
SPACE
WEATHER REPORT FROM SPACE:
http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2000/07/072600_sunspots.jhtml
Solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and sunspot cycles...Weather takes on a whole new meaning when we take it out
and in to space. Students will examine solar storms and
learn just how they affect Earth's magnetic fields, as
well as our communications systems.
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TREES
TREE JOURNAL:
http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/gen_act/nature/tree.html
Here is an excellent exercise for exploring autumn themes with primary
students. Including a student handout, "Take a Closer Look", your class
will be honing their observation skills as they adopt a tree and log its
changes through the season, recording their findings in simple journals
they
create.
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VOLCANOES
VOLCANO EVACUATION SIMULATION:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/Online/vaca.html
Your students are on vacation at an active volcano site,
when the volcano starts making noises that it's about to
erupt. What to do? That's up to your students, as they
must use the resources here to work cooperatively and
plan a safe and orderly evacuation within a limited
time.
VOLCANO CAMS . . .
CURRENT VOLCANIC ACTIVITY:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/current.html
For up-to-date volcanic eruptions and images, try this site. It lists
last eruptions the world over, with archived
photos of last incidences.
STROMBOLI:
http://www.ct.ingv.it/UfMoni/
Remember the time difference when viewing these live web
cam images; you're best bet is to view the sites early
morning. Visit either Etna or Stromboli with these web
cams. Archived images are also available.
MOUNT PELEE:
http://volcano.ipgp.jussieu.fr:8080/martinique/capturevideo.htm
MOUNT FUJI:
http://live-fuji.jp/fuji/livee.htm
MOUNT ARARAT:
http://www.arminco.com/livewebcam.html
SANTORINI:
http://www.santorini.net/volcano.html
VOLCANO EVENTS:
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Volcano/
Click on a country to view an atmospheric image of the
active volcanoes.
VOLCANO REPORT FORM:
http://www.abcteach.com/volcanoes/volreport.htm
For young researchers, here is a printable template for
volcano reports.
VOLCANO DID YOU KNOW CARDS:
http://www.abcteach.com/volcanoes/dykcard.htm
Print out multiple copies of these cards to distribute
to students, to keep track of facts as they learn about
volcanoes. Use the cards to compile a report, or to share
later as a class.
PARTS OF A VOLCANO WORKSHEET:
http://www.phschool.com/atschool/california/
science_explorer/earth_science/Student_Area/FES_SC3_ACT_index.html
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vw_hyperexchange/parts.html
Learn about the parts of a volcano that eventually contribute to a major eruption, and then print out this
colorful worksheet for students. Use the 2nd link above
to go over the various parts.
EXPLODING VOLCANOES:
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/lessons/volcanoes/b.html
Learn how to build your own volcanoes--exploding volcanoes,
that is--with the instructions at this site.
BUILD A VOLCANO:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_models/models.html
There are various types of volcanoes in the world; learn
about them here and then build your own model accordingly.
CHOOSE A VOLCANO WORKSHEET:
http://teacherexchange.mde.k12.ms.us/teachnett/worksheet.htm
Using the volcanic activity links above, have each student choose a volcano, then report back to the class on
them using this simple worksheet.
VOLCANO SCAVENGER HUNT:
http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/KSD/DE/research/volcano_ws.html
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vw.html
Using Volcano World's excellent online resources (2nd URL
above), have your students complete this printable scavenger hunt to answer questions about volcanoes.
VOLCANO EVACUATION SIMULATION:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/Online/vaca.html
Your students are on vacation at an active volcano site,
when the volcano starts making noises that it's about to
erupt. What to do? That's up to your students, as they
must use the resources here to work cooperatively and
plan a safe and orderly evacuation within a limited
time.
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WEATHER
WEATHER RECIPES:
http://library.thinkquest.org/3805/recipes/recipe_menu.htm?tqskip1=1
These weather recipes would make great bulletin board printouts, along
with graphics, for students to pull out according to the current weather
patterns. Find weather recipes for hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards,
mudslides, thunderstorms, and more.
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