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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.
Astronomy, Biology Concave/Convex Lens 6 Engaging Labs Middle School Science
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Astronomy, Biology Concave/Convex Lens 6 Engaging Labs Middle School Science

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Are you looking for a fun way to motivate your students to learn about concave/convex lenses and how they work? This is an important concept for both Astronomy and Biology. This product can be used as Observations Stations where they have 15 minutes to experiment before they move to the next table.I have also taught this lesson as a lab one day for a week.They both work equally well and help to keep your students on task. Materials 6 Magnifying Glasses Piece of white paper Window Rolled piece of paper Very sharp knives such as box cutter Tennis Ball The plastic container is just slightly larger than the ball Distilled water (from grocery stores or pharmacies) Flat page with printed words such as a piece of newspaper or a page cut from a magazine. Plastic wrap Large metal spoon The lamp with the shade removed shows just the bare bulb. 2 Lens from a par of drugstore reading glasses (+1.00, +1.25 or +1.50 strength) Painter’s tape or masking tape 1 Sheet of white copy paper Tape measure Magnifying glass Small rectangular mirror Sheets of paper Colored marker pens Magnifying Glass Piece of white paper Window 1 sheet of white copy paper Tape measure
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
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
Chemistry Significant Figures High School Science
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Chemistry Significant Figures High School Science

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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 and Physics Thermodynamic Bird lab High School
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Chemistry and Physics Thermodynamic Bird lab High School

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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
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
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.
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****
Magnetism-2 Labs and Reading Middle School Physics
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Magnetism-2 Labs and Reading Middle School Physics

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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
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.!
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.
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.
Temperature and evaporation
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Temperature and evaporation

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This lab can be used in a 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. *Answer key is provided
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.