Lessons for all learners, for educators by an educator. Ready-to-use lesson plans for classrooms and homeschools. Featuring engaging, low-prep activities for the busy teacher.
Lessons for all learners, for educators by an educator. Ready-to-use lesson plans for classrooms and homeschools. Featuring engaging, low-prep activities for the busy teacher.
Types of Plants Activity Card Sort
Looking for a quick, hands-on plant classification activity for your students? This low-prep sorting activity is perfect! The resource contains 24 photographs for students to classify into the 4 most common plant groups. It can be used for all parts of your 5E lessons. Use the large pictures and labels in your science center or station to have groups sort the pictures before learning about the characteristics of the divisions as an engage/explore activity. The sorting sheets can be used with the smaller pictures as notes, assignments, or assessments. There are 4 versions of the sorting sheet so you can differentiate vocabulary and categories based on the level of your students. A fun way to reinforce science concepts and vocabulary!
This Resource Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 6 Examples of Mosses (Bryophytes)
o 6 Examples of Ferns (Pteridophytes)
o 6 Examples of Conifers (Gymnosperms)
o 6 Examples of Flowering Plants (Angiosperms)
• Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Category Labels
• Answer Key
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Land Biomes | Ecosystems | Card Sort
Photosynthesis Model | Plants | Lesson Plan
Six Kingdoms of Life Card Sort
Did you know there are around 8.7 million species of living things in existence? Scientists classify these organisms to organize and study them. This Six Kingdoms Card Sort is the perfect way to introduce children to the classification of living things. This classification activity includes 24 picture examples of living things to be sorted into the six kingdoms. The pictures come in 3 different sizes, with differentiated sorting sheets, labels, and answer keys. Use the larger pictures with the labels in your science center or station, use the sorting sheets with smaller pictures as notes in interactive notebooks, homework assignments or formative assessments. You can easily differentiate by changing which pictures and kingdoms you use in the sorting activity. A quick and easy way to reinforce science concepts and vocabulary. Supports skills from the following standards: NGSS MS LS1-1; TEKS SCI.6.12D; VA SOL.4.3d, LS.3.c, and KS2 Year 4 and 6.
This Resource Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 4 examples for each of the six kingdoms
• 4 Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Kingdom Labels
• Answer Keys
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Animal Phyla | Classification | Card Sort
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Seed Dispersal Methods Card Sort
This sort is a quick, low-prep way to reinforce science vocabulary and concepts! It includes 24 different picture examples of seed dispersal methods in 3 different sizes, 3 different sorting sheets and 2 answer keys. It can be used in so many ways! Laminate the larger pictures to use as a center or station activity, use the sorting sheets with smaller pictures as notes in interactive notebooks, a homework assignment or formative assessment. Easily differentiate by changing the amount and which pictures students use. For younger students have them sort pictures by wind and animal or wind, water, animal dispersal. For older or advanced students have them sort by all 5 main types of seed dispersal. A visual and tactile way to review seed dispersal methods in your plant unit. Supports skills from NGSS 2 LS2-2, MS LS1-4; TEKS SCI.5.10A, SCI.7.11B; VA SOL.3.4.b, SOL.4.2.c; and KS2.
This Resource Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 5 Examples of Seed Dispersal by Wind
o 4 Examples of Seed Dispersal by Water
o 4 Examples of Seed Dispersal by Fire
o 5 Examples of Seed Dispersal by Explosion
o 6 Examples of Seed Dispersal by Animals
• 3 Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Category Labels
• Answer Keys
Other Resources You May Enjoy
Plants | Classification | Card Sort
Land Biomes | Ecosystems | Card Sort
Consumer Producer Decomposer Card Sort
Teach science vocabulary and concepts with this low-prep sorting activity! Research shows that students learn best when they take an active part in their learning. Card sorts give students a hands-on opportunity to work with vocabulary and can be used in so many ways! Laminate the larger pictures to use as a center or station activity, use the sorting sheets with smaller pictures as notes in interactive notebooks, a homework assignment, or quick and easy formative assessment. For younger students have them sort pictures by producers and consumers. For older or advanced students have them sort by producer, decomposer and the three main types of consumers. Supports skills from the following standards: NGSS 5 LS2-1, MS LS2-3; TEKS SCI.5.9.B; VA SOL.4.3.b.
This Resource Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 6 Examples of Herbivores (Consumers)
o 5 Examples of Carnivores (Consumers)
o 5 Examples of Omnivores (Consumers)
o 4 Examples of Producers
o 4 Examples of Decomposers
• 3 Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Category Labels
• Answer Keys
Now available in a “DELUXE” version. Includes all materials in this resource along with an additional 24 organisms for even more variety.
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Seed Dispersal | Plants | Card Sort
Six Kingdoms | Classification | Card Sort
Human Body Systems Sorting Activity
This low-prep sort activity is the perfect way to have your students learn the levels of organization from smallest to largest in the human body. It includes picture examples of the four levels of organization for six body systems (circulatory, digestive, excretory, muscular, nervous, and respiratory). The pictures come in 3 different sizes, two with labels. Use the category cards and the larger pictures in your science center or station, use the sorting sheets with smaller pictures as notes in interactive notebooks, a homework assignment or formative assessment. You can easily differentiate by changing how many systems or levels you use in the sorting activity. The labeled pictures are a wonderful way to incorporate vocabulary into the lesson (cyte means cell, cardio pertains to the heart, etc.) A quick and easy way to reinforce science concepts and vocabulary.
This Resource Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 2 with labels)
o 1 example of a cell, tissue, organ, and body system for 6 systems
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Excretory System
Muscular System
Nervous System
Respiratory System
• Sorting Sheets
• Category cards of systems and levels
• Answer Key
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Animal Phylum Activity Card Sort
Looking for a quick and easy animal classification activity for your students? Grab this low-prep sorting activity for your classroom. In this hands-on activity, students will sort real-life pictures into the 9 most common animal phyla. It can be used for all parts of your 5E lessons. Use the large pictures and labels in your science center or station to have groups sort the pictures before learning about the phyla as an engage/explore activity. Use the sorting sheets with smaller pictures as notes, assignments, or assessments. There are two versions of the sorting sheet so it can be used in interactive notebooks. An excellent activity for your visual and tactile learners!
This Resource Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 3 Mollusca examples
o 1 Porifera example
o 3 Cnidaria examples
o 2 Platyhelminthes examples
o 2 Nematoda examples
o 2 Annelida examples
o 3 Arthropoda examples
o 3 Echinodermata examples
o 5 Chordata examples
• 2 Sorting Sheets (full-size and half-size)
• Phyla Labels
• Answer Keys
Other Resources You May Enjoy
Six Kingdoms | Classification | Card Sort
Producer Consumer Decomposer | Ecosystems | DELUXE Card Sort
Terrestrial Biomes Sorting Activity
Looking for a quick, low-prep activity to teach land biomes? This card sort will help students visualize the animals and landscapes of 6 land biomes: desert, grassland, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, tropical rainforest, and tundra. You can use this activity in so many ways! Laminate the larger pictures to use as a science center or station activity, use the sorting sheets with smaller pictures as notes in interactive notebooks, a homework assignment or formative assessment. Easily differentiate the activity by changing the amount and which pictures students use in the sorting activity. A great way to reinforce land biomes in your ecosystem unit. Supports skills from the following standards: NGSS 5 LS2-1, MS LS2-1; VA SOL.LS.7; TEKS 7.10; Key Stage 2.
This Resource Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 4 examples for a desert biome
o 4 examples for a grassland biome
o 4 examples for a deciduous forest biome
o 4 examples for a coniferous forest biome
o 4 examples for a tropical rainforest biome
o 4 examples for a tundra biome
• Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Biome Labels
• Answer Key
Other Resources You May Enjoy
Six Kingdoms | Classification | Card Sort
Producer Consumer Decomposer | Ecosystems | DELUXE Card Sort
Steps of Photosynthesis Modeling Activity
Have your students model the process of photosynthesis with this hands-on activity using simple materials. Students will discover the products and reactants of photosynthesis by modeling the molecules involved using beads and pipe cleaners. Different colored blocks that connect (such as LEGO) can also be used. This lesson is highly effective to allow students to “see” what happens with the different elements during photosynthesis. Great to use as an “Explore” activity in a 5E lesson plan. Supports NGSS 5 LS1-1, MS LS1-6, HS LS1-5; TEKS.SCI.9-11.B.9.B; VA SOL.LS.4.b; and KS 3 Biology standards.
This Resource Includes
• Student lab sheets (color and print-friendly)
• Two lab “mats” (one standard and one legal size)
• Sun models
• Answer Key
• Teacher Information including activity directions and differentiation ideas
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Cell Division | Mitosis Modeling Activity | Lesson Plan
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Introduction to Cell Division Modeling Activity
A quick hands-on introduction to cell division. In this mitosis modeling activity, students will discover that cells need to grow and make copies of their genetic material BEFORE dividing. I use this as an activity to bridge the units on cells and the human body in middle school. It can also be used as an activity before teaching mitosis in high school. Perfect for the “explore” section of a 5E lesson plan! Detailed procedures, materials list, as well as differentiation ideas are included in the teacher information sheets. Supports NGSS Science and Engineering Practices of Developing and Using Models, Standards MS LS1-3 and HS LS1-4; TEKS SCI.7.12.D and SCI.9-11.B.5A; VA SOL LS,2.D and SOL.BIO.3c.
This Resource Includes
• 2 Student Lab Sheets with analysis questions (color and print-friendly)
• Answer Key
• Teacher Information including materials, procedures, and differentiation
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Consumer, Producer, Decomposer DELUXE Card Sort
This low-prep card sorting activity is a perfect way to teach life science concepts and vocabulary. Card sorts provide students with hands-on activities to reinforce their learning. The materials can be used in numerous ways and are easy to differentiate for multiple ages and abilities. Use the sorting sheets to have young students categorize the pictures into producers and consumers, add the category “decomposer” for older students and challenge your advanced learners to further categorize by the three main types of consumers. The pictures can also be used to model energy flow in ecosystems by creating simple food webs or chains. This deluxe set includes all the pictures from my original set along with 24 all new organisms to represent additional ecosystems. Supports skills from the following standards: NGSS 5 LS2-1, MS LS2-3; TEKS SCI.5.9.B; VA SOL.4.3.b.
This Resource Includes
• 48 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 12 Examples of Herbivores (Consumers)
o 10 Examples of Carnivores (Consumers)
o 10 Examples of Omnivores (Consumers)
o 8 examples of Producers
o 8 examples of Decomposers
• 3 Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Category Labels
• Answer Keys
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Living or Nonliving | Ecosystems | Card Sort
Ecosystems Activities Bundle
Need some quick ecosystem activities for your students? Grab this bundle of two of my most popular life science sorts. Sorts are great differentiation activities as well as a visual way to reinforce science vocabulary and concepts. This bundle includes 2 card sorts: Consumer Producer Decomposer and Living vs Nonliving. These low-prep activities can be used in multiple ways from small group to individual. Each card sorting activity contains multiple sizes of pictures, sorting or note sheets and answer keys. Supports skills from the following standards: NGSS 5 LS2-1, MS LS1-1, LS2-3; TEKS SCI.K.9.A, 5.9.B; VA SOL.K.6.a, 4.3.b; Key Stage 1 Year 2.
Consumer Producer Decomposer Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 6 Examples of Herbivores (Consumers)
o 5 Examples of Carnivores (Consumers)
o 5 Examples of Omnivores (Consumers)
o 4 Examples of Producers
o 4 Examples of Decomposers
• 3 Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Category Labels
• Answer Keys
Living Nonliving Includes
• 24 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 8 Examples of Living
o 9 Examples of Nonliving
o 7 Examples of Organic Nonliving
• 3 Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Title Cards
• Answer Keys
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Seed Dispersal | Plants | Card Sort
Six Kingdoms | Classification | Card Sort
Layers of the Ocean Card Sort
Did you know that the ocean has five distinct layers and over 250,000 species? Introduce your students to the ocean zones and the creatures that live there with this ocean layers card sort. It includes 19 different picture examples of ocean creatures to sort between the 5 ocean zones. There is also a card for the depth of each zone. The cards come in 3 different sizes, with differentiated sorting sheets and an answer key. This resource can be used in so many ways! Laminate the larger pictures to use as a center or station activity, use the sorting sheets with smaller pictures as notes in interactive notebooks, a homework assignment or formative assessment. Easily differentiate by changing the vocabulary of the zones of the ocean. A quick and easy way to reinforce science concepts and vocabulary. Supports skills from the following standards: NGSS 2 LS4-1, 3 LS4-3, MS LS2-1; TEKS SCI.3.10, 4.10, 7.10; VA SOL.3.5, LS.6, LS.7 and KS1 Year 2, KS2 Year 4 and 6.
This Resource Includes
• 19 different color picture cards in 4 formats (3 different sizes, 1 with labels)
o 4 Examples for Sunlight Zone (Epipelagic)
o 4 Examples for Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic)
o 4 Examples for Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic)
o 4 Examples for Abyss Zone (Abyssopelagic)
o 3 Examples for the Trenches (Hadalpelagic)
• 5 Zone Depth Cards in Three Sizes
• 4 Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Zone Labels
• Answer Key
Other Resources You May Enjoy
Six Kingdoms | Classification | Card Sort
Producer Consumer Decomposer | Ecosystems | DELUXE Card Sort
Ocean Activities Bundle
The ocean is a vast, mysterious place, home to more than 250,000 species and an endless supply of questions for curious kids This ocean bundle will engage children in learning about this fascinating ecosystem in several ways. Students will learn about the ocean layers and the species that inhabit them with the Layers of the Ocean Card Sort. It includes 19 different picture examples of ocean creatures to sort between the 5 ocean zones. There is also a card for the depth of each zone. They can then dive deeper into their ocean exploration with the Minecraft Building Challenges for Oceans. Students will learn about the ocean while building their own creations. The building ideas can also be completed without technology using blocks or craft materials. These fun and engaging activities are an excellent way to include both hands-on and STEM activities to your study of the oceans. This resource supports skills from the following standards: NGSS 2 LS4-1, 3 LS4-3, MS LS2-1; TEKS SCI.3.10, 4.10, 7.10; VA SOL.3.5, LS.6, LS.7 and KS1 Year 2, KS2 Year 4 and 6.
Layers of the Ocean Card Sort Includes
• 19 Different Color Pictures in Three Sizes
o 5 Examples for Sunlight Zone (Epipelagic)
o 5 Examples for Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic)
o 5 Examples for Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic)
o 5 Examples for Abyss Zone (Abyssopelagic)
o 4 Examples for the Trenches (Hadalpelagic)
• 5 Zone Depth Cards in Three Sizes
• 4 Differentiated Sorting Sheets
• Answer Keys
Minecraft Building Challenges for Oceans Task Cards Includes
28 challenges in four versions:
• Color with picture
• Print-friendly with picture
• Color without picture
• Print-friendly without picture
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Minecraft Building Challenges | STEM Activities | Task Cards
Land Biomes | Card Sort | Ecosystems