All Lesson Plans resources
NSTA Press Book
Problem-Based Learning in the Earth and Space Science Classroom, K–12
Implementing PBL is difficult for teachers, and few curriculum guides are available to support their efforts. This book fills that gap by providing the kinds of strategies and examples teachers need to facilitate open-ended inquiry in their science c...
By Tom J. McConnell, Joyce Parker, Janet Eberhardt
Journal Article
Teaching Through Trade Books: Adaptations for Survival
This column includes activities inspired by children’s literature. This month’s issue has students experience nature by examining how seeds are transported from one location to another or consider what it takes for organisms to survive in an envi...
Book Chapter
In this lesson, students examine scenes from the movie E.T. to see if the phases of the Moon match the time frame of the story. Key words and concepts covered are moon phases. Crosscutting concepts explored are patterns and systems and system models....
NSTA Press Book
The Power of Investigating: Guiding Authentic Assessments
Children want to explore, dig, build, play, and wonder. To do this they need to touch, feel, see, observe, listen, manipulate, plan, and create. How does a teacher build and maintain a learning environment that will help students investigate meaningf...
By Julie V. McGough, Lisa M. Nyberg
Journal Article
Editor's Note: Early Childhood Engagement in Science
Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....
Journal Article
Poetry of Science: Water, Water, Everywhere
Building literacy in playful, meaningful ways. This month's activity explores the water cycle....
NSTA Press Book
Big Data, Small Devices: Investigating the Natural World Using Real-Time Data
Now your students can transform their mobile phones and tablets into tools for learning about everything from weather to water quality. Big Data, Small Devices shows you how. This book is designed for Earth and environmental science teachers who want...
By Donna Governor, Michael Bowen, Eric Brunsell