“Students as Scientists” Resources for K-5th Grade

Unit Wide Resources
  • K-5th Grade Teacher’s Guide – download the PDF for full access to all lessons and activities
  • “Students as Scientists” teaching slides – includes all slides in one Google Slide file; teaching notes included; to edit or share with your class please make a copy or download.
  • Project Notebook – a Google Doc that you can download or make a copy and then edit and provide digital access to students
  • Book List – a list of pictures books that can be used to supplement the unit
  • Spark Guides – quick and easy activities to spark student curiosity
Inclusive Teaching Resources
Lesson 1

Lesson Resources

  • Teaching slides – used in Activity 3 – found in the Unit Wide Resources section above
  • Project Notebook – used in Activity 1 – you will use the “Draw a Scientist” page in this lesson
  • “Scientist Biography Cards” – used in Activity 2 – a digital copy of the cards, these cards are also included in the Resources Pages of the Teacher Guide
  • “Vultures: Sight or Smell?” comic – used in Activity 3 – a digital copy of the comic, the comic is included in the Resource Pages of the Teachers Guide and in the teaching slides

Extension Resources

  • Meet a Real Scientist resources
    • Project Biodiversify – provides many different resources to incorporate a diversity of people into your curricula
    • 500 Women Scientists – a resource for educators seeking the expertise of women and gender diverse STEMM professionals
    • Skype a Scientist – ​a database of thousands of scientists who will connect with your class so students can get to know a professional scientist 
Lesson 2

Lesson Resources

Extension Resources

  • Nature Journaling Over Time
    • Teacher Resources for Nature Journaling – John Muir Laws provides free resources and whole books dedicated to teaching nature journaling
    • Spark Student Curiosity through Outdoor Exploration – a spark guide to engage students in nature journaling – COMING SOON!
Lesson 3

Lesson Resources

  • Teaching slides – used in Activity 2 – found in the Unit Wide Resources section above
  • Project Notebook – used in Activity 3 and 4 – you will use the “I Wonder List” and “Investigation Question” pages in this lesson

Optional Resources

  • “Tools of Science: Testable Question” video – a video to help you, the teacher, understand refining science questions. It was produced for Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and walks through the process of scientists refining their original question into a testable question.
Lesson 4

Lesson Resources

  • “Homemade Vs. Store Bought Suet: Which Will Win?” article – used in Activity 1 – a digital copy of article, this article is also included in the Resource Pages of the Teacher’s Guide
  • Project Notebook – used in Activity 1, 4 and 6 – you will use the “Scientific Report Components and Report Checklist” table, “Hypothesis”, “Team Project Plan”, and “Investigation Plan” pages in this lesson
  • “The Many Ways to Share My Investigation” resource – a list of final project formats that can be edited to include only those final projects you want your students to complete
  • Teaching slides – used in Activity 3 and 4 – found in the Unit Wide Resources section above
  • “Will a Fake Cat Scare Birds?” article – used as an assessment – a digital copy of article, this article is also included in the Resource Pages of the Teacher’s Guide

Optional Resources

  • Resources for Teaching about Reliable Sources
    • Evaluating Reliable Sources lesson plan – This lesson addresses the importance of locating and verifying reliable sources when working with online information.
    • KQED for Educators – free media literacy teaching and learning hub for educators and students. You’ll find professional development courses, classroom resources and unique tools that allow students to practice critical thinking, media making and civil discourse.
  • Data Literacy Resources
    • Dataspire – many different resources for teaching your students about data

Extension Resources

Lesson 5

Lesson Resources

  • Teaching slides – used in Activity 1 – found in the Unit Wide Resources section above

Optional Resources

  • Data Analysis Programs
    • Graphmaster – online graphing program that allows students to create four different graphs on one page by entering data
    • MathIsFun – online graphing program
    • Tuva, Jr – a free online program to explore, visualize, and analyze data
    • ArcGIS for Schools Bundle – free online mapping software
  • Data Literacy Resources

Extension Resources

  • Play Data Games
    • Data Games – Playing computer games creates a lot of data and in Data Games, students learn to analyze data that are saved, learning math and data skills to help them win. Best for upper elementary students.
    • Charty Party – a game of absurdly funny charts where your students learn about graphs without even realizing it
Lesson 6

Lesson Resources

  • Teaching slides – used in Activity 1 – found in the Unit Wide Resources section above
  • “The Many Ways to Share My Investigation” resource – used in Activity 2 – a list of final project formats that can be edited to include only those final projects you want your students to complete
  • Project Notebook – used in Activity 2 and 4 – a Google Doc that can be edited to meet your needs and shared digitally with students. You will use the “Scientific Report Components and Report Checklist” and the “Peer Review Checklist” pages for this lesson.

Opportunities for Students to Share Their Investigation

Optional Resources