Resources for Teaching Science

According to the description, students are to match what animals live in various habitats. We can go over this a little bit of habitats according to the different physical characteristics that each animal has. It would be a fun activity that incorporates technology that we could do as a class. The only downfall is that I think you have to be a member to the abcteach in order to get this awesome smartboard activity, which will cost some money.

This is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step explanation on genetics and inheritance. Each concept is briefly but succinctly explained allowing students to learn the concepts in small doses. I selected this resource because of its foundational nature and supporting graphics. This makes it suitable for learners at varying levels but particularly for early biology learners. It could be used effectively in any introductory DNA lesson.

Each of the many sections of the site includes explanation, animation, biography of a related scientist, and more. Quite in-depth and very high quality material.

At this time, technology is a huge thing that should be incorporated in each classroom. For this site, I would take the children to the computer lab and allow them to have their own computers. They love when they feel as if they have the power. This site has recycling facts, a T/F questionnaire, "magic," and even a few games. Of course, I would allow them to play around, but the main idea would be to do the T/F and read over the facts.

This is an energy game where the students choose the energy mix for a vertual city. This game allows the students to discover the economic, environmental, and security impacts of their decisions. There is areas to learn about each energy source in detail. Students can compete against other students or play one-on-one.

I would use this during my lesson/teaching time with my children before most activities and projects. This website gives a page of facts about recycling and each material that is recyclable.

This would be my last step in a recycling lesson, or, "Recycle Week." I would have my children create recycling slogans to post around the school and create rules/conditions for the competition. The goal would be to have a competition between each grade and class to see who can gather the most recyclable materials in four weeks. There will be a class winner in each grade that will be rewarded with an ice cream party, pizza party, extended recess, etc., to be decided with the class.

This bird feed project requires students to create a bird feed out of recyclable objects. Instead of using things provided like the website says, I would have each child bring something to school out of their recycle bins to use on this bird feeder as a classroom conservation project.

This PDF is a couple pages of items. The students has to think about when items can be reduced, reused, or recycled and which ones can't It will get the students to realize what is good for the environment and what hurts it.

Another activity I have picked out for the children is a recycling word search. Young children enjoy finding things on their own, and word searches are actually quite good for cognitive development. Once again, something that will take their mind off of being in the school setting.

This is a PDF of the LIfe of a Bean Plant. It shows the cycle on the first sheet and then quizzes the students on the order. I think it will be a good activity for the students to complete when talking about plant life.

This website has a variety of unscrambling puzzles for young children. I would use this as an activity probably in the middle of "Recycling Week" to get children away from "schoolwork." Not only are the children learning words associated with recycling, they are also working on spelling and handwriting as well.

This is a booklet of experiments and worksheets to help the students understand the states of matter. This could be used throughout a unit on states of matter. There are 9 experiments included in this bundle so they can be place throughout the unit.

This is a lesson on setting up a weather station in the classroom. Students will be able to construct scientific instruments to measure weather and record data. I like this lesson because it provides a lot of activity.

This activity allows students to work hands-on to observe and to collect data. It would be a fun activity that could engage students. This is also uses materials that would be accessible to students at home. Therefore, they could always show others.

This field trip is a wonderful opportunity for students wishing to pursue a career in the medical field. Students will have the opportunity to see a cadaver used for medical research. This would not be a field trip for general science classes, but more geared toward AP or human anatomy classes.

Also look at the descriptions of distance learning and dissection options hosted at the university instead of in your own classroom, if you don't have the facilities to conduct dissections yourself.

This webpage has a lot of information on the macromolecules in which students can choose to hear it, read it, or go through more visual animated slides. I would use this in conjunction with a fill in the blank worksheet of some sort to use as a scavenger hunt. It would be a good introduction or review depending on the background knowledge of the class.

A quick online quiz that will judge whether students understand the basic functions on an enzyme. Since this quiz is short, I would use it in conjunction with another activity or assignment. This could also be used just to evaluate where students are.

Great formative assessment option using technology!

This tool is a great supplement to a lesson. It gives a visual as to how an enzyme reacts in the cell as well as allows students to modify parameters to understand the effects of the change in environment. This can be used as review and accessed at home as well.

This is a comprehensive lesson plan that provides many options for the introduction and activities as well as reinforcement. This lesson also provides external interactive resources. I think this is a wonderful lesson for developing a unit.

This animation reviews the electron transport chain in simple visually supplemented steps. It is also a wonderful tool to provide to students to review content at home.