Mimi Low

What makes a top spin longest? Students will analyze features of different tops to determine what helps tops spin the longest. Then, students will use that information to build their own top (suggested list of materials provided in the handout). Optional: create a tournament for the longest spinning top Great for Chanukah as a special activity, or physics class.

Engaging, simple mushroom dissection Works perfectly with button mushrooms, and other types Great for a unit to teach about fungus, but easily adaptable to other units

In this fun, inexpensive and engaging lab, students set up 4 different experiments to learn about phase changes. This can be done as a station activity as well if you want.

Very clear, easy to follow notes to use to teach students about characteristics of life Includes checks for understanding Great for direct instruction, notes or student study guides Also includes information about dormancy, and the difference between living, non living, and dead organisms

In this hands on activity with 5 parts (works very well as 5 stations or a 5 part activity for each student to do), students practice reading thermometers in F and C. Higher order thinking questions at the end of the lab (which could be removed, if not relevant) ask students more about temperature, and to think about which phase changes they notice throughout the investigation. Easy to set up, extremely affordable, and great for gen-ed, SPED and ELL students.

Fun hands on activity for students while learning about phases of the moon Students create models of the phases of the moon with oreos

In this fun and engaging lab, students practice measuring the volume of liquid by creating secondary colors, and 'designer' colors. Easy to set up, inexpensive, and a lot of fun for students!