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The Lesson Pony

I have developed lessons designed primarily for middle and high school students in science. These labs have been classroom tested for many years. Awards 2007-2005 Professional Learning Grant from the Waltham Chamber of Commerce 2001, and my name is on Mars 2001 Mars Rover for my contributions to NASA educational system.

I have developed lessons designed primarily for middle and high school students in science. These labs have been classroom tested for many years. Awards 2007-2005 Professional Learning Grant from the Waltham Chamber of Commerce 2001, and my name is on Mars 2001 Mars Rover for my contributions to NASA educational system.
Chemistry Fun labs to learn safety in the lab High School Science
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Chemistry Fun labs to learn safety in the lab High School Science

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Grade 8 STEM labs Are you having trouble explaining the phases of the Moon? PRODUCTS CONTAINS Moon Observations Sheets Directions to find an estimate of the Moon’s angular height Two Classroom Labs Tables of names of Full Moons of the AbenakiNortheast, Maine, and the early English Settlers . Students can see what was important to each settlement . Great lesson to combine history and science. In the labs, your students will understand the reason why we do not ever see the Dark Side of the moon The earth’s position relative to the moon is demonstrated. This lab has been classroom-tested for over 40 with several teachers. There is a very easy setup and no mess to clean afterward. MATERIALS Sheet of newspaper Cup with handle Ball or balloon wrapped in aluminum foil (the Moon) Flashlight (the Sun) Darkened Room Friend In my years of teaching, I have found be the best labs to explain to middle school students the motions of the moon around the Earth. Included is a student worksheet to make sure that your pupils do not leave without an understanding of this concept. Total Pages 12 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 1 Week
Astronomy Stars and Constellations Huge Unit for Middle School Science
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Astronomy Stars and Constellations Huge Unit for Middle School Science

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https://youtube.com/shorts/RvZXELdSQJY?si=6VKU4MYVBceTJkCp Description Are you having a hard time teaching your students about the constellations in the night sky? Here is your answer. Classroom-tested for many years. Students have informed me years later that they still look at the night sky. Complete discussion questions with answers to engage your students! Objectives Become familiar with the constellations visible in the Northern Hemisphere Observe the constellations visible on a particular night. Your students will learn how to make an astrolabe and star charts. Included also 3 labs. Detailed instructions on how to make star grazing safe. 2 Graphic organizers which students can complete for extra credit or keep as emergency sub plans. Materials Large Index Card Protractor String 30 cm Large Metal Hex Nut Tape Plastic Drinking Straw Magnetic compass Drawing compass Construction paper Colored pencils Protractor Metric ruler Tennis ball Basket Ball or soccer ball Bunsen burner Googles Picture Wire Pliers SCI.K.8.C Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among objects in the sky. The student is expected to: observe, describe, and illustrate objects in the sky such as the clouds, Moon, and stars, including the Sun. Total Pages 19 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 2 Weeks
Weather  Thunderstorm Graphic Organizer
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Weather Thunderstorm Graphic Organizer

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This is the perfect resource to help explain to your students the main facts about the inside of a thunderstorm. All the major parts of what causes the storm to develop is explained. Students can use this sheet for A. Homework B. Extra Credit C. Help visual learners understand D. To decorate your room Why use graphic organizers? It helps my students organize their notes, so we don’t need to spend a lot of time on them. Coloring is a technique that should be used in all grade levels because there is research that shows that it helps us to retain information on a deeper level. Coloring activates both sides of the brain’s hemisphere to help us remember, concentrate, solve problems, and use our fine motor skills to fill in each section. Studies show that adding images with notes increases retention by 30% with their study guides Conversations naturally start among the students. When we color, we do not need to concentrate as fully on the task as we would if we were completing a worksheet or writing a report. This frees us up for, well, talking.
Chemistry pH Candy Labs and Guided Reading High School Science
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Chemistry pH Candy Labs and Guided Reading High School Science

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Are you looking for a fun way to introduce pH to your High School Science students?** Here is the lesson you have been looking for to teach your students about pH.** Use Candy for 2 fun lab lessons This product includes Guided Reading 2 Fun low Prep Candy labs Questions Graphic Organizer on food pH Total Pages 10 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 90 minutes
Chemistry Physical and Chemical Changes 6 Fun Cotton Candy Labs
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Chemistry Physical and Chemical Changes 6 Fun Cotton Candy Labs

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Are you searching for a fun way to teach your High School Chemistry students the difference between chemical and physical change? Make chemistry fun by using Cotton Candy as the main component in 6 labs. All materials are found in every lab. Here is the ultimate product for your needs Includes 6 Labs Homework Guided Reading Questions The complete answer key is included Total Pages 14 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 3 hours
Chemistry, Oxidation Exothermic 2 Labs
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Chemistry, Oxidation Exothermic 2 Labs

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https://youtube.com/shorts/Fe00TLE6YeA?si=M6IlhvQc86Jy1m5I This fun lesson can be used for Classroom Camping Home School Low Prep Product contains 3 Labs Worksheet Poem by Robert Frost This lesson will work well with your English Department. MATERIALS Lab #1 Warm moist place Fresh-cut hay, fallen leaves, or grass Thermometers Lab #2 Steel wool (not the soapy kind) Jar Water Vinegar Bleach Thermometer Lab #3 Apple Lemon Juice Knife
Astronomy Taking pictures of the moon with your i phone Middle School Science
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Astronomy Taking pictures of the moon with your i phone Middle School Science

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A fun lesson using your i phone to learn about Moon details and the rotation around the earth Students will learn new technology skills and discover that the sun and the moon has the same movement in our sky. Both rise in the east and set in the western sky. Common core standards are listed Total Pages 5 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 1 hour
The Great Ice Cube Melt
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The Great Ice Cube Melt

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Students design and create containers that will keep one standard-sized ice cubes in their solid form for a set period of time. The winner is the person who creates the container that keeps the ice cube solid for the longest period of time. Ribbon Templates are included for first, second, and third prize After the actual “Great Ice Cube Melt” students will analyze what worked and what did not Take the classic STEM challenge to the next level. Question Can you build a better cooler that can hold ice colder longer? This lab is an application of the engineering process. Also, includes Engineering Geometry Ratios Critical thinking Materials are common items around the home No prep for you but lots of science for your students. Students learn and apply concepts in thermodynamics and energy—mainly convection, conduction, and radiation— to solve a challenge. This is accomplished by splitting students into teams and having them follow the engineering design process to design and build a small insulated box, with the goal of keeping an ice cube frozen
Star Frame Constellations
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Star Frame Constellations

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This is a fun lab for students to learn important constellations. Clear step by step instructions with materials found in every classroom. Lessons has been classroom tested for many years.!
Lab Safety Ugly Smock Template Middle & High School Science
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Lab Safety Ugly Smock Template Middle & High School Science

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Are you looking for Back to School Activities to teach/review lab safety. Look no further. Here is a fun and engaging way to review lab safety with your students. Also works great to decorate your room. Use it for extra credit or to teach how to act in a lab. Fully editable No Prep! Total Pages 1 page Answer Key Rubric only Teaching Duration 30 minutes
DNA Pool Noodle Statue Middle & High School Science
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DNA Pool Noodle Statue Middle & High School Science

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In this activity, students explore the structure of the DNA molecule and begin to understand how the DNA molecule’s chromosomes, genes, base pairs, sugars, and phosphates are related. Middle and high school students will always recall the double helix of DNA after completing this lab. This is a great activity to introduce genetics with a hands-on approach. The materials can be obtained at the dollar store and a local hardware store. Great decoration for your classroom. Wow, parents and your principal! Materials Ruler Pool Noodles Wire #9 Wire cutters A long serrated knife, Long zip ties Base- Several Options Graphic Organizer for Early Finishers!
: Chemistry Start of the year outside measuring lab High School review
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: Chemistry Start of the year outside measuring lab High School review

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Are you looking for a way to motivate your high school chemistry students, here it is!! During the first days of the year take them outside to work in groups to review measuring and estimating skills. Just print and go This lesson contains Students will estimate Perform the actual measurements Compare English and Metric Materials Meter stick Thermometer Graduated cylinder Large beaker
Fall Lab Plants Gardening Activity How to plant tulips with your class
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Fall Lab Plants Gardening Activity How to plant tulips with your class

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All profits from this lab will be denoted to charities Materials Bulbs Daffodils, Tulips, Dutch Iris, etc. Gloves Shovel Colored Pencils Included is a short writing about how Tulps will help cheer you up I promise you it is the most beautiful reading on the internet. No lab will bring more joy to your students than planting spring bulbs. This has been a staple activity in my classroom for 20 years. Students will learn how to plant spring flowers. Included are many hints to ensure success in the spring There are suggestions for cross-curriculum in Math, English, and History lessons Key terms are listed in Spanish with translations Total Pages 11 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 1 hour
Speed of falling objects lab
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Speed of falling objects lab

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A quick fun lab to teach students about the speed of falling objects. Perfect for a physics class. There is no prep or clean up involved. Students will understand gravity after performing this lab.
Planets'size lab
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Planets'size lab

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Your students will have a terrific time in this activity when they model the different size of the planets. This lesson will enable you to teach your students the differences in the sizes of the planets using everyday objects. Classroom tested! This lesson is fully editable.
Environment   keep our waters clean  lab.
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Environment keep our waters clean lab.

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This product contains 2 lessons-one a lab and the second a Power Point activity which can also be utilized as a sub-plan. Teach them together or they can stand alone This is an easy lab to set up. Students often wonder how the lifeguard keeps the water in a pool so clean.You can use pond water or teach this one if you have leftover microorganisms from another lab. Chlorination is the most common and effective method of destroying harmful microorganisms in water. Chlorine disinfectant is usually used as sodium hypochlorite in low concentrations. This lesson is two parts. The first is to have students observe what happens to the microorganisms when bleach is added. The second is a research project to learn about diseases associated with poor-quality water. Materials Pond water or solution containing microorganisms Bleach Eye dropper Microscope
Biology Macroinvertebrate Pollution Tolerance Index Middle & High School Science
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Biology Macroinvertebrate Pollution Tolerance Index Middle & High School Science

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Your students will love learning about the macroinvertebrates at the water’s edge DATA TO UNDERSTAND OUR ECOSYSTEM This product is perfect for Earth Day Ecology Camp lessons End of School STEM Science Camp Macroinvertebrates are subjected to day-to-day and longer-term changes in pollution, oxygen levels, and acidity levels., The type of macroinvertebrates students find in the stream reflects how healthy that still is overall or most of the time. This lab is a real-world test to determine the health of a stream. Students will be engaged to collect their samples and graph the results. Perfect for warm weather. No time to set up or break down this lab!!! MATERIALS Net Water (lake or stream) Magnifying glass Trays Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. Examples of the design process include examining human environmental impacts, assessing the kinds of solutions that are feasible, and designing and evaluating solutions that could reduce that impact. Examples of human impacts can include water usage (such as the withdrawal of water from streams and aquifers or the construction of dams and levees), land usage (such as urban development, agriculture, or the removal of wetlands), and pollution (such as of the air, water, or land). If this product could really benefit your classroom, but you are not in a good financial situation to buy the product, please contact me and I will give you the product for free, no questions asked.
Weather Thunderstorm Lab for Physics and Earth science
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Weather Thunderstorm Lab for Physics and Earth science

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**Fun lab ** Your students will love making a thunderstorm at their lab stations This lesson can be used for teaching a unit on weather or your high school physics class. Contains 2 readings Lab Oral questions for you to ask with answers included Objectives Model the buildup of charges that can occur during a storm Model a Lightning Strike Use a ground to control the path of discharge Materials Modeling clay 2 Aluminum pie pans Foam plate Wool cloth Paper Clip Total Pages 9 pages Answer Key N/A Teaching Duration 1 hour****
Density Beach lab
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Density Beach lab

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Check out this is one period activity/lab to teach students about the concept of density This is a fun lab in which the entire class can enjoy on a hot day. The materials are found at every pool. Included is a worksheet to check the students understanding of the material. They will remember this lab for a very long time.