This matching activity supports students in understanding the difference between a dependent and independent variable. Students will need to pair up the cards into 7 sets, one independent variable and one dependent variable. The students will then place the pairs under the correct label. Cards are included labeled as “independent variable” and “dependent variable” are to be used as the labels.

This is a hands on activity where students can show the movement of matter through a food chain. Students will take a card with an image of each object and place it in its spot on the food chain to show how matter moves through plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. On the food chain mat there is an image of mud (water/soil) and a space for a producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer, final consumer and decomposer. Students can cut out the living things and place them on the food chain mat. There is also a link to a digital distance learning version where students can drag and drop the proper living thing to its place on the food chain. As an extension activity, students can tell a story orally or in writing from the point of view of water of their experience as they move through the food chain.

This self-assessment is designed for students new to English. It allows them to think about six general science concepts (earth science, life science, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and environmental science) and rate how they feel about their knowledge in each concept. This will help ELL and science teachers get an idea of where newcomer students view their strengths and weaknesses in science, as well as identify their science related interests.