Universe Lesson Plans: Solar System Activities

• Solar System Lesson and Activities

• So many Solar System Activities, so little time! In these universe lesson plans, we've rounded up the most unique solar system projects and shared them in this online Solar System Lesson with fun, free games. Scroll down for activities for each grade level. Enjoy!

Universe Lesson Plans: Solar System Activities.

• This Solar System activity is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. Of course, even older kids will get a kick out of making a hat and parading around the classroom!
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Find this Solar System Activity at Primarythemepark.com

Younger children will enjoy Astronomy Ad Libs with Curious George.

NASA has many universe related lessons, but this one on how to estimate star size is pretty cool and targeted for kids in grades 6-9.

NASA comparison of Star Sizes chart.

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Is there life on Mars? Brainpop.com has a free video on Mars with quizzes, games, and activities. Subscribers can watch a video on the SOLAR SYSTEM and one on the OUTER SOLAR SYSTEM too! Be sure to read the FYI's for interesting solar system facts, and do the online activities.

Want to size up the universe? This free interactive universe game from Smithsonian is a fun way to learn through edutainment!

Click the image for Sizing up the Universe from the Smithsonian.

Practice Solar System Grammar and Vocabulary with this Hangman Game from eslgames.com.

Click the image to play Solar System Hangman.

For more solar system language arts, do these Space Libs.

Solar System Switcharoo is a fun game from NASA.

Interactive Science Space Game.




Recommended:



Solar System Activities from AIAA

Learning Resources Giant Magnetic Solar System*

Moon Lesson Plan

Solar System Planetarium*

Futuristic Craft for Kids

National Geographic Kids First Big Book of Space *

Genetics Activities for Elementary: Lessons and Games

Fun Lessons and Activities about Genetics

Science is fun with lessons and games! These genetics activities for elementary and middle school (suitable for high school too), will teach you about Punnet Squares, DNA, RNA, and more. Be sure to click all of the links, and do the activities. In our homeschool class, we start the lesson on Monday and work through the week doing the experiments and lessons. Don't miss the just for fun section at the end. Watch how Game Theory discovers the parents of Princess Peach. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links.

Genetics  Activities for Elementary: Lessons and Games.

First, learn about Probability:





Brainpop Subscribers can learn more here: Basic Probabilty for Elementary.



Print (or do the work online) this Probability Worksheet and this Names Probability Chart.

Preview what you know with these questions about genetics. When you get there, hover over each question to reveal the answer.

More about Gregor Mendel. What traits are dominant?

Start with this FREE Movie on Genetics and Heredity from Brainpop. Do the activities here: Traits Graphic Organizer. Be sure to click through the 3 tabs and do all activities. You can fill out the chart and vocabulary on the screen and then save it and send a copy to your teacher or homeschool instructor. (Mom?)

Take this quiz from BrainPop: Online Genetics Quiz.

Watch the video, and learn What is a Punnet Square.




Scholastics Video on Heredity.

Hand Clasping Experiment 
Have you ever folded your hands together by interlocking your fingers? Do it now without thinking about it. Which thumb is on top – left or your right? A study found that 55% place their left thumb on top, and 45% place their right thumb on top. The other 1% have no preference!

University of Utah shares this Downloadable PDF about dominant and recessive traits. This information is a solid background for a genetics lesson. You'll also find a fun game to learn about genetics.

Watch this Video, The Story of Fido, about DNA and then do the following lesson.





This is a fun lesson to learn about traits. The printable PDF to Make your own Dog Recipe (with DNA) is also form UU.

Play a Free Online Game about Dog breeding.

Science Lab: Genetics with Pasta (Free Printable PDF from University of Washington)

Tip: We're always looking for uses for our leftover Halloween or Easter Candy, so we used different candies in place of the colored pasta. It saves time, reuses, and you can eat it if you want.

What is DNA? Once on the page, click through at the bottom to learn about genetic engineering and more.

Watch this fun Video about DNA. Then do the FYI segment. At the top of the FYI, you'll see images; click each one to learn more. Now, do all the tabs of the DNA activities.

Find out: What is RNA? at Brainpop.com

Click over to What is RNA? to read about it. If you want to do the activities and watch the video, you'll have to subscribe. If you are a Brainpop subscriber, be sure to watch the video and take a quiz.

Can you answer these questions about RNA?

Review, All About Genetics. When you pop over click the speaker to hear the article.

Genetic Mutations and questions about mutations.

Cell Cycle Game

Just for Fun

Game Theory: Rosalina and Mario Genetics. Peach is her mother, who is her father? Learn about DNA with Super Mario Bros. and Punnet Squares.

Recommended:

Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America

Online Homeschool Lessons and Projects

K'NEX Education - DNA, Replications and Transcription Set

Are We Alone?

Earth's Water Supply Lesson Plans for Elementary

Elementary Lesson Plan on Earth's Water Supply for World Water Day

Where do we get water? How does it get to our faucet or in our water bottles? This lesson and curriculum on the water supply and water cycle will answer these questions. Scroll down for quizzes, science experiments, companion art projects, and more Earth's Water Supply Lesson Plans for Elementary students. When is World Water Day? When is Earth Day? Keep reading!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, if you click and make a purchase, I get a small commission. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on!

Where do you get your water?

World Water Day is March 22. Earth Day is April 22. 

Arbor Day is often also April 22 or the last Friday in April, depending on the state. 

First things first,  watch this short video on clean water. We recommend "Flow" and "Tapped." Here is a very good, free excerpt from Tapped. "The Story of Bottled Water" is also good and free to watch. Netflix has a similar film about the Nestle Corporation Water. 

The Story of Bottled Water.

Now, watch this video on how water is cleaned and used via the sewage treatment plant. This excerpt from, "Big River" teaches how water is filtered for nitrates. 

Water Treatment Interactive from the EPA.

The Nitrogen Cycle from PBS is an interactive learning chart. Also, print and read this downloadable Nitrogen Cycle brochure from Stem Sims. It has quizzes and articles to help you learn more indepth about the cycle of Nitrogen!

If you want to learn more about big business watch GMO vs. NON-GMO. This is a full length documentary.

We have a Brainpop subscription, if you go in as an individual you can pay monthly, but you have to commit to a full year. You can also get a Brainpop Jr. subscription for children in K-3. No affiliate here, we just love Brainpop.

There are free lesson plans and activities on Brainpop.

If you subscribe to Brainpop, you can watch a video on the Water Cycle and this video on Water Supply. Brainpop has a daily free video, so click over either way and learn something new. While you are there, read the info about the Water Cycle in the left sidebar. For younger kids (K-3), watch this version of the water cycle.

Lesson Plans for Earth's Water Supply

Read these Facts about Water Pollution.

The Water Cycle infographic.

Review the Water Cycle infographic above. Grab some paper and markers and draw your own version of the Water Cycle. When completed, share it with classmates or family and hang it for display. To show what you have learned, draw a Water Supply infographic without the help of a cheat sheet! :)

After all you've learned, visit this water supply quiz from the EPA or this (Brainpop) quiz on the water supply. If you have a Brainpop subscription, also do the activities and fyi for water supply.

Free Water Cycle Worksheet Printable PDF.

Learn about the Scientific Method (from Brainpop) so you can start an experiment about Science Projects.

Water Science Experiments:

Clean the Water 

Salt Water vs. Fresh Water Egg Experiment (Easy)

Just for Fun:

Need a break from all of this school work? 

Play a free online game about Water or do a Water Word Scramble. 

Related Activity: Free online Game about Fish and free video about Fish.

Arts and Crafts Component:

Make a Water Cycle Bead Bracelet (Preschool, K-6)

Water bottle recycling craft.

Recycle Water Bottles into Art (All ages)

Recommended Reading:

Celery Science Experiment

Bread Science Experiment

The Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation & Erosion (Earth's Processes)

The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor

The Magic School Bus Wet All Over: A Book About The Water Cycle

Homeschool Nature Study Ornithology

Homeschool Nature Study: The Science of Ornithology

My kids have been taking a Homeschool Ornithology Class. They love it! The instructors have great ideas for a Nature Study on Birds. So, in today's Free Online Homeschool Lesson, I wanted to share some of the fabulous things they've done to learn about birds! Make sure you click on all the links for fun, educational videos, games, and free printables.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

If you are in Indiana, discover the world of birds at the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center. Meet a Raptor every Wednesday and Friday at 4:00 pm and enjoy special bird programs Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.

These lessons are meant to be done over the course of week. If you choose to do a science block, you can complete the projects in one day.

Homeschool Nature Study: Ornithology

Define Ornithology: The study of birds, including their behavior, natural history, physiology, ecology, and identification. Can you answer these bird vocabulary questions.

Grab your Journal. Run to a window or go outside on a hike. List 10 birds in your yard or neighborhood. Describe the birds. This free printable is perfect for your bird journal.

For example: 

Small, Red bird with orange beak. Tufted head. 

Seen year round = Cardinal.

If you don't know what type of bird it is, make sure you have a detailed description for your search. If you have access to a camera, snap a photo. If not, draw a simple sketch. It doesn't have to be a work of art. Just good enough to help you remember details about the birds camouflage, beak, size, habit, etc.

Do you know what makes a bird a bird? Is a Platypus a bird? Is a bee a bird? Is an airplane a bird? Is a penguin a bird? Think about why or why not? Then, watch this video.

The Cat in the Hat also knows a lot about that.
Learn to draw: Trace a Bird Printable
(Recommended for ages 2-5 yrs. or everyone who is young at heart.)

Learn about different types of birds. When you click the link, you will see a series of bird videos that include:

Puffins, Eagles, Falcons, Snowy Owls, Snowy Egrets, Condors, Emperor Penguins, and more.

After watching the videos on all of the birds, list the raptors in your journal. What is a raptor? Visit Wordsmyth to find out.

Classify your birds with these Printable Flashcards.

Language Arts Component

Compare and Contrast. Write a paper with 5 paragraphs.
Remember to include a introductory paragraph (tell me what you are going to tell me), 3 detailed paragraphs in the middle (tell me), and a summary paragraph (tell me again).

Topic: Why isn't a Platypus a bird? Why is a Penguin a bird?

In the three middle paragraphs, give supporting details on each animal. You can write more than 3 supporting paragraphs if you need to, but don't forget your summary. Write this in a Google Doc. My kids send these docs to me. 


Arts and Crafts Component

Build a Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder. This is a fun construction project. Use wood glue. School glue may break down when used outdoors.

Popsicle stick bird feeder.

How to Make a Bird Feeder from Popsicle Sticks

First, lay the ten sticks flat, placing glue on the connecting sides.
Then, stack the sticks in a perfect square in layers with glue on the connecting ends. Eight makes the perfect height. Next, cut four pieces of yarn about 2' long. String a piece of yarn under the second stick at each corner as shown. Pull all pieces of yarn evenly and tie a knot in the top. Let dry for 24 hours. After your feeder is dry, paste in some peanut butter and sprinkle in bird seed.

You might also like:

How to Make Origami Birds


Science Lab Component

Try this Fun Science Experiment: How does a bird eat? How does the beak's shape factor in to the equation? Try this fun science experiment.

Graphic Organizer for Science Experiment

You will need the following utensils and supplies:
Eye dropper
Salad Thongs
Nutcracker
Large Serving Spoon
Tweezers

Bag Popcorn (Bugs)
Glass of Water (Nectar)
Raisins and Small Log with holes (Bugs in a Log) You can substitute a cardboard tube for this if necessary.

Click on the link above for the printable companion worksheet.

Start with a Bag of popcorn. Experiment with each utensil. Your goal is to get the popcorn into your mouth or the mouth of your partner using each utensil. Which works best. What type of bird might eat something like popcorn? What does each utensil represent? In other words, imagine a bird with a similar beak. Next, have your science partner toss you some popcorn and try to catch it with each utensil.

Place the raisins in the cardboard tube or log. Use the utensils to remove the raisins. Which works best? Remember, you are a bird. You cannot use your hands. Make a note of your findings on the graphic organizer.

Finally, try to "drink" water from the glass with each of the utensils. Which one allows you easiest access to the drink? Which one takes the longest? Would you get frustrated if you were really thirsty and had to drink water with a nutcracker?

Label the parts of a bird.


Just for Fun

Flight School Game

Birds of a feather flock together? What does this mean? Where does the phrase originate? _____________________________


Recommended Reading:


United States Capitals Lesson

Leonardo da Vinci Design Wooden Ornithopter Model Kit

Presidents of the United States Homeschool History Lesson

Learn the Presidents of the United States

The history of the United States is exciting and complicated. The U.S. Presidents mold America into an amazing, free country- full of opportunities. It is important to learn the accomplishments and contributions of each President. In this homeschool history lesson, we focus on the Presidents of United States. Be sure to click on the linked text to get information needed to answer the questions. Enjoy!

Presidents of the United States Homeschool History Lesson

The best place to discover important facts about the United States Presidents is at the White House. Click the link to see a list of the Presidents in order. Use the descriptions to answer the following questions in your journal or a Google Doc.

1. Who was the fourteenth president of the United States?

2. When did Franklin Pierce die?

3. List the 22nd and 24th President.

4. Barack Obama is President number ___?

5. In what county was Abraham Lincoln born?

6. On what holiday did Franklin D. Roosevelt marry Eleanor?

7. List the 2nd and 6th Presidents of the United States.

8. What famous lines did John F. Kennedy speak in his Inaugural Address?

9. How old was George W. Bush when he became President?

10. Name the running mate of President Jimmy Carter (James).

11. Benjamin Harrison was the grandson of what President?

____________________________________________________

Find out what it is like to be President for a Day with PBS Kids.

President Game from Scholastics.com

_____________________________________________________

What is Government?

Name the President Game.

Can you put the Presidents in order? 

This Mount Rushmore President Game is cool! After you complete the game, make sure you click on each president to learn more about them.

____________________________________________________

When is President's Day? Find out at Kidrex.org

What is President's Day?

Which President's birthdays were combined to make a National holiday?

______________________________________________________

Our most famous Presidents are memorable for many reasons. Some made great changes in history, some were impeached, some were assassinated, and other's served for many years. Copy the list below into a Google Doc and then list the Presidential Number, President's years in office (term), Vice President, Dog's name, and one or two things that made him well-known.

For example:  

Barack Obama, 44th President 2009-Present, Joe Biden, Bo, and The Affordable Care Act or First African American President.

Find more about them from Brainpop.com, Presidents. If you are not a Brainpop subscriber, you can still click the links and learn a little about each President. However, you won't be able to watch the fun video about the President unless it is offered free. The "Presidents" link above offers lesson plans too. The list below is also linked to Brainpop videos.

Andrew Jackson

Thomas Jefferson

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt

George Washington  Washington lesson for K-3rd grade

John F. Kennedy

Abraham Lincoln Lincoln lesson for K-3rd grade

Jimmy Carter

Ronald Reagan

Ulysses S. Grant

*Take the Brainpop quizzes whenever possible.

_____________________________________________________

Recommended for 3rd - 8th Grade, but good info for all grades:

Political Parties

Recommended for 6th - 12th Grade:

Learn about the Political Parties throughout history. 

In your journal, list these parties in chronological order:

Whigs (Know-Nothings)

Federalists

Tea Party

Democratic Republican Party

Democrats

Republicans 

Libertarians

_____________________________________________________

After all you've learned, you are ready to make Executive Commands! Play this fun game about Presidents.

____________________________________________________

Just for fun

Gather the birth years of all your family members. Find out who the President was each year. Hint: The Whitehouse website above can help.

What President is on what money? Draw a picture and cut out your fun money! 

____________________________________________________

Recommended Reading:

U.S. Capitals Lesson

Smart About the Presidents (Smart About History)

U.S Currency Lesson

President Skit for Classroom

Abraham Lincoln's Hat

The New Big Book of U.S. Presidents: Fascinating Facts about Each and Every President, Including an American History Timeline

Free Online Homeschool Science Lesson: Classifying Plants and Animals Activities

Classifying Plants and Animals Activities and Videos for Homeschool Science

In this free online homeschool science lesson, we are classifying plants and animals. These science activities and videos are a fun way for homeschoolers to learn online. Lessons have material suitable for preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school. We round up the information and links each week as we teach homeschool to our own children. Every link has been child tested. Scroll down for the interactive student lesson. Lesson for Preschoolers is at the bottom of the post.

Free Online Homeschool Science Lesson: Classifying Plants and Animals Activities.

Classifying Plants and Animals Online Homeschool Lesson

Elementary and Middle School Science: Target Grades 3-8
with components for preschool, early elementary, and high school.



Teacher Resources:

Classifying Plants and Animals Lesson Ideas

Make your own Worksheets and Printables

Early Elementary Lessons on Classifications



Student Lesson:

Do this: Keep these questions in mind as you the watch the videos.

Questions on Plant Growth click on the questions to find the answers, make sure you click through all 4 pages of questions!

PBS Video: What Plants Talk About 

Learn more about Carnivorous Plants.

Play this Cool Science Game on How Plants Grow (8-11 yrs.).

Read about Plant Growth. What are the Kingdoms? If you want to watch these videos, you'll have to log into Brainpop. I'm told you can do a search and find Brainpop freebies, coupon codes, and passwords. Here is a free Biology lesson on the Six Kingdoms.

More about Plant Adaptations from Brainpop free for everyone.


Math Component

This Cool Companion Math Game is for Middle School and up. 

This Middle School to High School Plant Lesson Game teaches Math and Economics. You'll start your own business and work to keep the plants alive and well using your math skills. 

We found another cool math game for kids, but... there's an app for that! Ask your parent or teacher if you can install, Ruby Realms.


Art Component

Make Pressed Flowers

Make Thanksgiving Leaf Garland

Science Fair Project or Science Experiment from Science Buddies Experiment on Plant Growth for Middle Schoolers.


****************************************************

Show what you've learned so far:

Grab your Science Journal: Name 3 types of Plant Classifications. Then, draw a plant and then list out the main parts of it.

1.___________________________________________________

2.___________________________________________________

3.___________________________________________________

Classifying Animals Lessons

Classifying Animals - Free Brainpop Jr. Video. Make sure you take the quiz. Try the easy quiz and the hard quiz. You can do it! 

More on Animal Classification from Sheppard's Kids Corner.


Show what you've learned so far:

Grab your Science Journal: What are the Six Kingdoms? Need to research? Do a safe search here KidRex.org

1.___________________________________________________

2.___________________________________________________

3.___________________________________________________

4.___________________________________________________

5.___________________________________________________

6.___________________________________________________

Science Just for Fun Online Games

Are you smarter than a plant? Find out on Kongregate.com

Are you Smarter than a Plant? Maybe not! 

Food Chain Game

Early Elementary Component 
Pre-K - 3, but suitable for older kids too!

Plant Song

Dora's Plant Growth Game for Preschoolers

Farming Lesson for Kindergarten



Fun Activities

Make these Free Printable Animal Trading Cards

Test your knowledge: Play Matching Classification Game


Recommended Reading:

From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

Time For Kids: Plants!

United States Capitals and Symbols Lesson for Children

          
Copyright 2014 by Lora Langston, Kids Creative Chaos.

Homeschooling Online: Cave Study Lesson

Cave Study Lesson for Homeschooling Grade 3, 4, 5, 6 and up.

Homeschooling Online: Cave Study Lesson.

Elementary Earth Science: Grades 3-6

Cave Study

Explore California Caverns

Optional Group Activity:

Watch The Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Netflix) Documentary Movie on the oldest human painted images known to man. This is a full-length, artsy, feature film.

PBS Secrets of the Dead: Caveman Cold Case (53 minutes)

Educational Technology Component

Do an internet search for the following terms. Define in your own words.

Karst

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Speleologist_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Spelunking__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Stalactites___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Stalagmites__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paleontologist________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mathematics Component

Cave Run Multiplication Game

Plot the following terms on the timeline:

Ice Age, Stone Age, Cretaceous, First Neanderthals

65,000,000 B.C. _____1,000,000 B.C. _____250,000 B.C. _____ 30,000 B.C. _____10,000 B.C. _____5000 B.C. _____2500 B.C. _____1000 A.D.  

Making Connections

When did the horse first appear in cave paintings?  What did the earliest ancestor of the horse resemble in size? When did this animal live? Plot it on the timeline.

Language Arts Component

The evolution of language: Proto-writing, Cave Art.  

Ancient History: The Alphabet

Write (Draw) a simple story describing how you acquired breakfast. What did you eat? Was it a feast or were you still hungry after you ate? Use cave painting symbols and make a key so others can interpret your work.

Science Component

List five things that inhabit caves today.

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

Watch this Video:  Bats  (BrainPop Paid Subscribers)

Field Trip Op: Learn about the Endangered Bats in Indiana at Sodalis Park.

Art Component

Cave Painting Craft

Butcher Paper Cave Wall Art

Science Fair

Build a science fair diorama.

Art History Just for Fun Online Games and Movies

Watch The Croods or Ice Age.

Hooda Cave Math Game

Recommended Reading:

Bats by Gail Gibbons *affiliate link

Science Project: Make a Cave Diorama 


Print this! Free Cave Lesson Printable

  
Copyright 2014 by Lora Langston, Kids Creative Chaos.