Table of Sample Learning Cycle Activities

Elementary Science Methods - Fall 2019

Activity Title & Grade NGSS Performance Expectation

Author Topic Level
It’s Alive-or is It? Living & Non-living K K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns
by Molly of what plants and animals (including humans)
need to survive.

Living It Up by Living & Non-living K-LS1-1 Use observations to describe patterns

K of what plants and animals (including humans)
Laura
need to survive

Is It Alive? by Lexie Living & Non-living K-LS1-1 Use observations to describe patterns
K of what plants and animals (including humans)
need to survive

It’s Alive (or Not) Living & Non-living K K-LS1-1 Use observations to describe patterns
by Erika of what plants and animals (including humans)
need to survive

Who Hides for the How Animals K K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe
Winter? by Shayna Prepare for Winter patterns of what plants and animals
(including humans) need to survive.

Do We Stay or Do How Animals K K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe

We Go? By Emily Prepare for Winter patterns of what plants and animals
M (including humans) need to survive.

Oh Mr. Sun by Amy Sun’s Effect on K K–PS3–2 Use tools and materials to design and
Earth build a structure that will reduce the warming
effect of sunlight on an area.*
K-PS3–1 Make observations to determine the
effect of sunlight on Earth's surface.

Take Cover by Sun’s Effect on K K-PS3-2. Use tools and materials provided
Krista Earth to design and build a structure that will
reduce the warming effect of sunlight on
Earth’s surface.

Reduce, Reuse, Human Impact on K–ESS3-3 Communicate solutions that will

K reduce the impact of humans on the land,
Recycle by Abby C environment
water, air, and/or other living things in the local
environment.

Into the Shadows Phases of the 1-ESS1-1: Use observations of the sun, moon,
1 and stars to describe patterns that can be
by Sydney R Moon
 predicted.

Goodnight Moon Phases of the 1-ESS1-1: Use observations of the sun, moon,
1 and stars to describe patterns that can be
by Annie Moon
predicted.

Lights, Shadows, Light & Shadows 1-PS4-3. Plan and conduct an investigation to
1 determine the effect of placing objects made
Action! by Fidei
with different materials in the path of a beam
of light.

Fun in the Sun by Sun’s Pathway 1 1-ESS1-1. Use observations of the sun, moon,
Emily H and stars to describe patterns that can be
predicted.

Sprouting Seeds What Plants Need 2–LS2–1 Plan and conduct an investigation to
2 determine if plants need sunlight and water to
by Bethany
grow.

Scattering Seeds Plants - Seed 2-LS2-2. Develop a simple model that mimics
2 the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or
by Emily T Dispersal
pollinating plants.

What Makes it Hit Sink and Float 2-PS1-2. Analyze data obtained from testing
2 different materials to determine which
Rock Bottom by
materials have the properties that are best
Jessica G suited for an intended purpose.

Sink or Float? by Sink and Float 2-PS1-2. Analyze data obtained from testing
2 different materials to determine which
Caroliine
materials have the properties that are best
suited for an intended purpose.

Whatever Floats Sink and Float 2-PS1-2. Analyze data obtained from testing
2 different materials to determine which
Your Boat by Abby S
materials have the properties that are best
suited for an intended purpose.

What’s the Matter Solids and Liquids 2 2-PS1-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to
by Jessica M describe and classify different kinds of materials
by their observable properties.

Freezing & Melting Freezing & Melting 2–PS1–4: Construct an argument with evidence
2 that some changes caused by heating or cooling
by Caitlyn R
can be reversed and some cannot.

Happy Habitats by Habitats 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and

2 animals to compare the diversity
Olivia E

From Here to Traits & Heridity 3-LS-3-1: Analyze and interpret data to provide
3 evidence that plants and animals have traits
Heridity by Jocelyn
inherited from parents and that variation of
 these traits exists in a group of similar
organisms.

Family Matters by Traits & Heridity 3-LS-3-1: Analyze and interpret data to provide
3 evidence that plants and animals have traits
Katelyn J
inherited from parents and that variation of
these traits exists in a group of similar
organisms.

How Does a Animal Life Cycles 3-LS1-1 Develop models to describe the
3 organisms have unique and diverse life cycles,
Butterfly Grow by
but all have in common birth, growth,
Jenny reproduction, and death.

A Butterfly’s Life Animal Life Cycles 3 3-LS1-1 Develop models to describe the
by Stephanie W organisms have unique and diverse life cycles,
but all have in common birth, growth,
reproduction, and death.

Camouflage for Camouflage 3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an

3 explanation for how the variations in
Critters by Angela
characteristics among individuals of the same
species may provide advantages in surviving,
finding mates, and reproducing.

Hide and Seek by Camouflage 3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an

3 explanation for how the variations in
Sydney B
characteristics among individuals of the same
species may provide advantages in surviving,
finding mates, and reproducing.

Hiding in Plain Camouflage 3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an

3 explanation for how the variations in
Sight by Josie
characteristics among individuals of the same
species may provide advantages in surviving,
finding mates, and reproducing.

Hide and Seek by Camouflage 3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an

3 explanation for how the variations in
Kayty
characteristics among individuals of the same
species may provide advantages in surviving,
finding mates, and reproducing.

Hidden Figures Camouflage 3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an

3 explanation for how the variations in
by Katy L
characteristics among individuals of the same
species may provide advantages in surviving,
finding mates, and reproducing.

I Spy with My Little Camouflage 3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an

3 explanation for how the variations in
Eye by Gabrielle
characteristics among individuals of the same
species may provide advantages in surviving,
finding mates, and reproducing.
Natural Hazards by Weather & Climate: 3-ESS3-1. Make a claim about the merit of a
3 design solution that reduces the impacts of a
Lexa Natural Hazards
weather-related hazard.

Extreme Weather Engineering 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in
3-5 which variables are controlled and failure points
Survival by Grace Hurricane Proof
are considered to identify aspects of a model or
Buildings prototype that can be improved.
3rd grade science content - 3-ESS3-1 Make a
claim about the merit of a design solution that
reduces the impacts of a weather-related
hazard.

The Ultimate Engineering Paper 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in
3-5 which variables are controlled and failure
Paper Airplane by Airplanes
points are considered to identify aspects of a
Olivia W model or prototype that can be improved.

Coffee Cups and Cup Insulator 3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem
3-5 reflecting a need or a want that includes
Hydroflasks by Engineering
specified criteria for success and constraints on
Elise materials, time, or cost.

Packing for Mars Packing for a 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem
3-5 reflecting a need or a want that includes
by Tori NASA Mission
specified criteria for success and constraints on
materials, time, or cost.

Build it Up by Engineering a 3–5–ETS1–3 Plan and carry out fair tests in

3-5
Lindsey Bridge which variables are controlled and failure points
are considered to identify aspects of a model or
prototype that can be improved

Hurricane Helpers Engineering 3-5-ETS1- 1. Define a simple design problem

3-5 reflecting a need or a want that includes
by Taylor Hurricane Proof
specified criteria for success and constraints on
Structures materials, time, or cost.

Soft Landing by Engineering an 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in
3-5 which variables are controlled and failure points
Kaylee Egg Drop
are considered aspects of a model or prototype
that can be improved.

Crash! Bang! by Motion - Collisions 4-PS3-3: Ask questions and predict outcomes
4
Kylee about the changes in energy that occur when
objects collide.

Sunburned Beady Energy - Sunlight 4-PS3-2 Make observations to provide evidence

4 that energy can be transferred from place to
Boy by Brooke
place by sound, light, heat, and electric
 currents.

Making Waves by Waves 4-PS4-1 Develop a model of waves to describe

4 patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength
Austin
and that waves can cause objects to move.

Quaker Shaker by Earthquake-proof 4-ESS3-2. Generate and compare multiple

4 solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth
Bailey Building
processes on humans. Could also be an ETS -
engineering standard.

Nothing Can Bring Me Gravity 5-PS2-1 Support an argument that the

Down by Marcus
5
gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects
is directed down.

Saved by the Cell Cells MS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model to describe
6 the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts
by Allison
of cells contribute to the function.