EcoEdu

In this inquiry lab students explore how light and shadows behave and use that information to draft a way to use sunlight to tell time. They will then read an article about sundials and use the new information to revise their ideas. At the conclusion of the lesson students will create the time telling devices that have designed. Learning Targets • I can explain how light behaves • I can understand how shadows work. • I can create a tool for telling time with shadows. • I can use my know

This rubric can be used to assess an inquiry experiment lab write up using the claim, evidence, reasoning format. It includes learning targets for the write up that align with rubric categories: 1. I can select a claim based on my experiences. 2. I can find and record evidence to support my claim. 3. I can write a reasoned argument to support or deny a claim. 4. I can take responsibility for my learning. 5. I can create a high quality final product. This rubric allows you to assess acad

We need to teach students the difference between facts and beliefs. This lesson will lead students through an inquiry based lesson that involves making claims as well as providing evidence and reasoning. This is a great way to address current affairs in science class. A lesson like this will help students understand how science works and is easy to implement. Learning Targets: • I can evaluate statements of fact and belief. • I can explain what a fact is. • I can explain what a belief is.

This protocol can be used for critiquing experiments that students have designed. This resources includes a guide for students to critique their own work, a procedure for peer critique and a rubric. This worksheet can also be modified for teachers to easily provide feedback. Uses an inquiry framework for experimental design and claim, evidence, reasoning language for analysis of experimental plans.

This rubric can be used to assess the quality of an inquiry experiment designed by students. It includes assessment of the question, variables chosen, hypothesis, repeated trials and even a drawing of the experiment as designed. As an assessment rubric it can be used to assess final designs or as part of a peer critique lesson.

Take making new year resolutions with your students a step further this year. This lesson has them reflect, write about their successes, create SMART goals, and develop an organizer that will help them stay committed to their goals. This activity is perfect for every class and can be customized for your course. Students will appreciate your interest in what they are thinking and where they want their lives to go in 2026. This no frills lesson is designed to stimulate critical thought and commun

Students design an experiment to test the variables that affect seed germination. This classic experiment is enhanced through the integration of informational text that they must use to understand what to do. Materials needed are simple - plastic bags, paper towels and radish seeds This is a great lab for the beginning of the year as you discuss the scientific method. Make it real with inquiry and discovery.

This lesson takes advantage of Scribble Maps and Web 2.0 app that lets you annotate a google map. Students look for important environmental features and mark them on a map of the earth. This lesson is great for building a global perspective in students as well as developing their research and computer skills. Learning Targets: ● I can develop my mental map of the earth. ● I can use the internet to find information about the natural and human environment. ● I can create an annotated map using a

This self assessment page asks students to think about how they think they did before they get their scores and then asks them to think how they prepared, their habits of work and learning in class and goals they have for the future. Their answers can be helpful for students, teachers and parents when trying to figure out "What did we do right?" and just as important, "What went wrong?". This was originally developed as an assessment for science tests but could be used for any subject.

This is a close read science lesson where students read about and analyze an award winning student experiment that tested the effects of radiation from wi-fi routers on the growth of plants. The article is engaging and the lesson asks students to display their understanding of the experiment with text codes, graphics and text. This lesson format could be used with any article that describes a scientific experiment. A great lesson for teaching the scientific method and literacy at the same time.

Why and how do leaves change color in the fall? This lesson uses an untamed science video to study the basics of leaf color change. This lesson can be taught on its own as your students are thinking about the beauty of the changing seasons or in the middle of a unit about photosynthesis and the role of chlorophyll. For this lesson each student will record vocabulary, summarize main ideas and create a comic about why and how leaves change color. The final product engages both sides of the brain a

The submarine was an incredible technological innovation during the Civil War. It is important for a submarine to not float on top of the water or sink to the bottom. It must be “neutrally buoyant”. For this project students use a baby food jar as model of a submarine to find the mass to volume ratio that will float, sink and stay neutrally buoyant. Learning Targets: I can make a model of a submarine. I can explain buoyancy. I can explain density. I can measure mass and volume.

This resource will get students started as they design and execute projects that make the world more sustainable. A rubric for assessing the quality of proposals is included. Summary: There is evidence that people agree that we need to live more sustainably but don’t always act in a way that leads to sustainability of the earth’s natural and human systems. This project is an opportunity for us to learn about the importance of sustainability and to act as agents of change. We need you to creat

Students create a survey to assess whether or not their classmates and families know and care about the environment. The lesson includes studying models, brainstorming questions, and analysis of the results of their survey using the claim, evidence, reasoning format. Student are also expected to submit their own answers to the questions they have written. Having students develop an environmental awareness survey is a great project to kick off an Environmental Science class. It gives students

Send a postcard to an elected official or other persuadable party with this checklist and rubric that is easily adaptable to any topic and assignment. A postcard assignment like this makes a great final product and and authentic assessment. This rubric and checklist will make it easier to implement a project based approach to learning content and the importance of civic engagement. Learning Targets: - I can communicate knowledge and opinions about a controversial topic. - I can support an argum

The letter of recommendation can be one of the most important pieces of a college application. The quality of the letters students are able to submit lies in their hands and who they ask, how they ask and when they ask for them matters. In this lesson students will work with their classmates to create a guide to getting great letters of recommendation using resources from various sources. In addition to learning the content the Jigsaw and discussion format of this lesson helps them to prepare fo

Inquiry based learning goes beyond designing experiments. This worksheet can be used for brainstorming ideas related to a student identified research question. Research questions can be generated from a text or topic and after brainstorming with this worksheet can be researched. Research projects allow students to investigate a question they have chosen and build research skills along the way.

This note taking page is useful for research projects that require students to collect evidence that supports their claim. Students can use book or internet sources for research and are guided through collecting information about sources as well as information to back up their claim.

This activity can be used as groups begin working on an inquiry experiment together. As a class students brainstorm the qualities of unsuccessful and successful groups. They then work together to establish a checklist of norms they agree to as they move forward in their work. This checklist can be referred back to through out the duration of the project.

How will we solve climate change? In this lesson students watch videos about different approaches to solving climate change. After watching they takes notes about the approach. At the end of the lesson students assess and discuss which approaches they think will work best and addition questions they have. This lesson works well at the beginning or end of a unit on climate change. Learning Targets: 1. I can understand the causes of climate change. 2. I can analyze the actions people are taki