Science Unit Ideas

1.) Planets (Grade 5?)
I would have students study the planets and find out different characteristics about all the different planets. We would read a few books, but a lot of this would be independent research. Then as an ending project I would assign each student a planet. They would then have to use Nvu to create a web page about their planet that they could share. They could also use Pixie to draw their planet.

2.) Environment (Grade 4 or 5?)
I would have students research the different environments that there are in the world. Then we would specifically look at the environment that we live in. Then we would talk about the environments that our in our country. I would then somehow set up kids to have pen-pals but through e-mail to talk with a student in a different part of the country that live in a different environment. As an ending project they would have to write a comparative essay on the two different environments.

3.)Plants (Grade 2?)
I would have students study different plants from books and online research. Then we would use the information we found to go and identify plants around the school. I would have students pick one particular plant and draw a picture on pixie of it. They would then write a small informational piece about this plant.

4.) Owl Pellets (Grade 3)
I would have students research owls and find out what they eat and their habitat. Then I would have them visit websites in which they could dissect owl pellets to see what they eat. Then if I could I would have an organization bring in pellets so students could really dissect owl pellets. I would have them taking pictures (almost like a crime scene!) so they could put them into frames and make a short movie about dissecting owl pellets.

5.) Inventions(Grade 8)
I would have my students research the different inventions that were made, and how the whole process of things being invented. Then I would have them think up of their own inventions and then try and create them. They could then make their own i-movie on the inventions that they made. They would have to write about the process of how they thought of, made, and would try to get a patent on their inventions.


I think I am going to write up a lesson plan for my first idea on the planets science unit. This seems fun and interesting to do!