Hero image

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.
Magnetism-2 Labs and Reading Middle School Physics
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Magnetism-2 Labs and Reading Middle School Physics

(0)
The incredible power of magnets is illustrated in two engaging labs hands-on labs. Clear and easy-to-follow editable lab worksheet Included is a reading for students to fully understand the power of magnets Students will discover that magnets are attracted to special metals. Objectives Magnets attract and repel other magnets. What makes some materials magnetic Materials Wide mouth jar Book Magnet Compass Eisco Labs Floating Ring Magnet Set with Wooden Base Total Pages 7 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 45 minutes
Chemistry Christmas Lab Shaving cream ornaments Middle School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry Christmas Lab Shaving cream ornaments Middle School Science

(0)
https://youtu.be/UW_Rqr0ebk0?si=_3KWl7jumVeLP7br STEM This is the most incredible chemistry lesson you will ever teach your Middle school students. It is tons of fun, and messy, and will put magic in your subject.Included detailed instructions to follow each step. Templates for cutting and tracing are included at the end of the lesson. Students will be making their beautiful decorations from paper templates. The lesson explains the chemistry behind all this fun. Happy Holidays Materials 1/2 cup Shaving Cream Food Dye or water-based paints A sheet pan, cake pan, plastic food container—even a paper plate will work Spoon Measuring Cups Paint Brushes very soft Paper Templates Cloth to cover lab tables Products contain Reading Lab Procedure
Chemistry Christmas Dinner Dimensional Analysis High School
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry Christmas Dinner Dimensional Analysis High School

(0)
This is a terrific lesson in dimension analysis. The method applied in high school chemistry to solve problems requires practice. Students will enjoy learning how to become skillful and confident in completing this practice with real-world applications Make chemistry FUN during Christmas Happy Holidays
Lab Safety Ugly Smock Template Middle & High School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Lab Safety Ugly Smock Template Middle & High School Science

(0)
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
Back to school Fun Icebreaker for Middle & High School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Back to school Fun Icebreaker for Middle & High School Science

(0)
This is a fun way to get to know your students Each time I reference to Science Teachers on my Facebook page, it consistently prompts a teacher to express disbelief that it’s already time to prepare for the upcoming school year. While it may feel premature, the reality is that the start of the school year is swiftly approaching, necessitating the planning of initial classroom activities. This worksheet serves as a lighthearted and engaging tool to both understand your students better and informally assess their proficiency in the English language. Additionally, included are guidelines on effectively incorporating this enjoyable resource into your classroom activities.
Geology Mineral lab Streak Test Middle School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Geology Mineral lab Streak Test Middle School Science

(0)
This lab is a great resource to engage your middle school students to discover how minerals can be identified and quickly classified with a streak test. An explanation of why minerals change due to chemistry is included. This lab has been classroom-tested with a discussion question at the end. Students will understand WHY minerals change their color upon completion of this lab MATERIALS Streak plate 6 to 10 labeled Minerals Total Pages 5 pages Answer Key N/A Teaching Duration 1 hour
Chemistry Thermal Energy Transfer Mitten Lab Middle School Mitten Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry Thermal Energy Transfer Mitten Lab Middle School Mitten Science

(0)
Description Grade 8 STEM Your middle school students will love this Hands-on Lab to discover how heat is the energy used to cause the temperature of an object to increase. The lab setup is quick and only requires mittens and a thermometer. This fun activity will have students discover the concept that heat is a form of energy that flows from areas of high intensity to areas of low intensity. Objective Students will discover heat is the transfer of one area of energy to another and is felt as temperature Lesson plan with guided teacher questions are included No Prep Materials Thermometer Mittens Key Terms are included MS-PS1-6 Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes. Emphasis is on the design, controlling the transfer of energy to the environment, and modification of a device using factors such as the type and concentration of a substance. Examples of designs could involve chemical reactions such as dissolving ammonium chloride or calcium chloride. Assessment is limited to the criteria of amount, time, and temperature of substance in testing the device. Total Pages 6 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 30 minutes
Weather Temperature How does Evaporation effect it Middle School science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Weather Temperature How does Evaporation effect it Middle School science

(0)
https://youtube.com/shorts/bMBWzRklgBE?si=c9fnLKkL2_9DUdSm The following standards are listed PS3.A: Definitions of Energy PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and Forces PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life This lab can be used in chemistry, health, physics, or Earth Science class. Students will learn the effects of evaporation on cooling. Materials are items found in every science class. They will fill in a chart with their data to discover the information for themselves. A worksheet is included to check your students; understanding. Materials 2 Thermometers 2 Pieces of dry cloth Water *Answer key is provided
Astronomy UV beads Solar Beads Lab Help Stop Skin Cancer Middle School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Astronomy UV beads Solar Beads Lab Help Stop Skin Cancer Middle School Science

(0)
Need an engaging activity to investigate UV radiation and its effect on your students’ health. Keep your young scientists safe this summer with the knowledge gathered with this fun lab. Your students will be surprised to see white beads change color with exposure to UV light. Great to encourage the use of sunscreen. This lab is perfect for end-of-year, camps or part of your health lessons. I have also used it during my unit on Astronomy MATERIALS UV beads Sunscreen 15,30, 50 Ziploc bags Contains Lab Instructions Worksheet to learn the importance of sunscreen
Chemistry and Physics Thermodynamic Bird lab High School
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry and Physics Thermodynamic Bird lab High School

(0)
https://youtu.be/yajQdRwxCi4 Here is a fun lab to use this popular toy to teach your high school chemistry and physics students thermodynamics in simple yet very important experimental techniques in this lab. Included is Explanation of how this bird acts as a heat engine 4 Labs directions on how to make your own drinking bird Lab questions with an answer key
Chemistry Significant Figures High School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry Significant Figures High School Science

(0)
Apply the concept of significant figures to limit measurement to the proper number of digits. Recognize the number of significant figures in a given quantity. Limit mathematical results to the proper number of significant figures. Are you looking for a fun activity to motivate your high school students to learn significant digits? Included Summary of the rules 10 practice problems 3 Engaging Worksheets A complete answer key is provided Keep one of the worksheets as a review or a sub plan! Total Pages 6 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 2 hours
Chemistry Math Pre Test High School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry Math Pre Test High School Science

(0)
Taking measurements, performing dimensional analysis, determining temperature, density, and so on are all things that cannot be done without math The first section reviews measurements in metric. Start your year teaching chemistry on the right foot and find out where your students are in their math skills. Everyone knows you can not do chemistry well without a math background. d. The tests have bunnies on them to help students not be so nervous doing math. This lesson contains 2 tests. You can use one before and the other one after In order to excel in chemistry, you must understand unit conversions, significant figures, summation notations, probability and statistics, exponents and logarithms, proportions, and concentrations. In most cases, these subjects overlap, so they are frequently discussed together Grab this free lesson to make soap in your classroom https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6490aefc3b413b66d0ce770b
Metric System (SI) Measuring Fun Activity Middle, High School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Metric System (SI) Measuring Fun Activity Middle, High School Science

(0)
https://youtu.be/kzKkk6Dcx0c This resource was created to help teachers review and teach the Metric system and density. It is a classic lab highly recommended for the start of the school year. Students will be engaged and learn how to use the Metric System This product contains Fun no prep lab 10 Metric problems Answer Key MATERIALS Ruler 10 index cards Balance Graduate cylinder Rubber stopper Water The metric system​ is a decimal system based on the meter, liter, and gram as units of length, capacity, and weight or mass. The system was first proposed by the French astronomer and mathematician Gabriel Mouton (1618–94) in 1670 and was standardized in France under the Republican government in the 1790s. Unlike the English system which has multiple units for length (inch, foot, yard, mile), the metric only has one – the meter (m). Similarly, there are four basic metric units: ● Length – meter (m) ● Mass – gram (g) ● Volume – liter (l or L) ● Time – second (s) Base unit values can be modified (made larger or smaller) through the use of prefixes (ex. kilo­, 1000; hecto­, 100; deka­, 10; deci­, 0.1; centi­, 0.01; milli­, 0.001).
Chemistry Math Pre Test High School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry Math Pre Test High School Science

(0)
https://youtu.be/c8p4BMhb7Js Taking measurements, performing dimensional analysis, determining temperature, density, and so on are all things that cannot be done without math The first section reviews measurements in metric. Start your year teaching chemistry on the right foot and find out where your students are in their math skills. Everyone knows you can not do chemistry well without a math background. d. The tests have bunnies on them to help students not be so nervous doing math. This lesson contains 2 tests. You can use one before and the other one after In order to excel in chemistry, you must understand unit conversions, significant figures, summation notations, probability and statistics, exponents and logarithms, proportions, and concentrations. In most cases, these subjects overlap, so they are frequently discussed together
Chemistry Fun labs to learn safety in the lab High School Science
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry Fun labs to learn safety in the lab High School Science

(0)
Are you looking for a way to make science both fun and safe for your students? This is the most important lesson of the year for high school students. Your kids will love and remember this lesson because instead of just reading and answering questions they will be performing labs to learn the importance of safety in the classroom. Total Pages 15 Teaching Duration 2 days
: Chemistry Start of the year outside measuring lab High School review
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

: Chemistry Start of the year outside measuring lab High School review

(0)
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
Chemistry, Oxidation Exothermic 2 Labs
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Chemistry, Oxidation Exothermic 2 Labs

(0)
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
The Great Ice Cube Melt
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

The Great Ice Cube Melt

(0)
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
Weather 3 Snow Labs How clean, Mass of snow & Salt's Affect on Freezing Point
heidimacarthurheidimacarthur

Weather 3 Snow Labs How clean, Mass of snow & Salt's Affect on Freezing Point

(0)
ade 8 STEM Three Weather Snow Lab Lab 1 Middle Schools students will use their scientific skills to determine that snow is not as clean as most people believe. A very little setup time is required however a great deal of science will occur. Most students are shocked to see how many particles even freshly fallen snow contains. This lab will also teach physical change, and illustrate the application of math in the lab. Students will determine that snow is much less dense than rain. One meter of snow equals only 10 to 15 cm of water. Lab 2 Students will discover that snow has the same weight as water but more volume Lab 3 How does salt affect the temperature of melting ice Materials 2 Styrofoam cups Scale Funnel Clean Snow Dirty Snow Scale The third section is a reading for students to understand real-life issues with treating the roads with ice melt.