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

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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
Earth Science Geology TimeLine of Earth's history Middle School Science
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Earth Science Geology TimeLine of Earth's history Middle School Science

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This package contains 2 lessons for the price of one. https://youtube.com/shorts/eVPB20bXn6Q?si=CwnAoyz8_ZHnmvfK The first is the classic timeline which students will create their own timeline. This lesson has been classroom-tested for 40 years!! The second lesson is the Evolutionary Tree which when completed students will discover how each major step in evolution was based on the one before. The third is called Creating Life. This fun lab has students observe unicelled organisms in a water sample. 2 Graphic Organizers Use for early finishers, extra credit, or sub plans This lesson also contains a more challenging reading for your more advanced students 3 Low Prep Labs! MATERIALS Meterstick, Adding machine tape Plaster of Paris (ready to pour) Cardboard Stapler Beach or park Total Pages 18 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 1 Week
Astronomy Black Hole 2 Fun Labs for Middle School Science
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Astronomy Black Hole 2 Fun Labs for Middle School Science

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https://youtube.com/shorts/X8T_-fDsUZE?si=BxXuYq8KPBzpLaEq Description Are you trying to teach your Middle School Students about Black Holes in an engaging manner? This product is for you! Students will be able to explain how scientists are able to A. Find Black Holes B. Determine the chemical composition of stars Contains 2 No Prep Labs MATERIALS Glow Sticks Index Cards You can use this lesson during your Astronomy unit or chemistry!! It connects chemistry with space science. Total Pages 4 pages Answer Key N/A Teaching Duration 1 hour
Astronomy Black Hole 2 Fun Labs for Middle School Science
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Astronomy Black Hole 2 Fun Labs for Middle School Science

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https://youtube.com/shorts/X8T_-fDsUZE?si=f2gO-RI5gNmzAsXu Description Are you trying to teach your Middle School Students about Black Holes in an engaging manner? This product is for you! Students will be able to explain how scientists are able to A. Find Black Holes B. Determine the chemical composition of stars Contains 2 No Prep Labs MATERIALS Glow Sticks Index Cards You can use this lesson during your Astronomy unit or chemistry!! It connects chemistry with space science. Total Pages 4 pages Answer Key N/A Teaching Duration 1 hour
Geology Erosion and Deposition Unit Middle School Science
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Geology Erosion and Deposition Unit Middle School Science

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https://youtube.com/shorts/ucec17h0sAg?si=rSywtX_9HxFA3Sf6 Are you looking for a complete unit to motivate your students to learn about erosion? This is your answer!! This activity guide is FULL of engaging and hands-on opportunities for students to explore weathering, erosion, and deposition! Students will use common materials to demonstrate how the earth’s surface changes through experiments and labs. Included in the bundle are: Teacher version with guided questions and answers Experiments 2 Directed Readings Lab Stations (9 MiniLabs) It is so complete that this unit can be left for a sub. Labs are easy to prep Complete answer key Total Pages 23 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 1 Week
Chemistry Halloween fun Dracula's favorite soap pH activity
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Chemistry Halloween fun Dracula's favorite soap pH activity

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https://youtube.com/shorts/KyBwJ4ZpuUY?si=YwqfZkPgAhlvK7AL Description Your students will greatly enjoy this lab. Easy setup and clean-up are part of the experiment. Get them interested in chemistry and Ph. I promise you this is a lab they will tell their parents about I left the file in Word so feel free to make any changes you wish. Happy Halloween! Guided reading with questions Complete theanswer key with adetailed explanation *This product was written for Halloween but you can use it anytime to teach about acids and bases Total Pages 5 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 1 hour
Physics Runner vs. Bicyclist Speed Acceleration Lab
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Physics Runner vs. Bicyclist Speed Acceleration Lab

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Are you looking for a fun lab with no prep to motivate your high school students to learn about graphing speed. Here it is!! Upon completion of the lesson, students will be able to Define acceleration and velocity. Describe the differences between velocity and acceleration. Identify and utilize the formula for calculating the average acceleration of an object in given scenarios. Students will go to the track and race a person against someone on a bike. Your class will go out on the track and have a student do a 100-meter dash, recording their time at every 5-meter interval. (Have one person stand at each 5-meter mark and use their stopwatch.) Repeat that experiment, but with a bicycle starting from rest, in the highest (hardest to push) gear, and pushing with maximum force on the pedals. After students collect the data, make one correctly labeled position vs. time graph which includes a curve representing the motion of each racer. They will have the opportunity to learn about acceleration and make predictions if the track was longer.
Physics Sound Resonance Lab Instructions
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Physics Sound Resonance Lab Instructions

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If you’re looking for a fun, easy, precise sound resonance lab, this has worked great for years. To actually be able to find the speed of sound at around 340 m/s in a classroom setting is pretty amazing. Physics students will love determining the speed of sound in air with this fun and editable lab! This activity is ideal for a classroom setting or for the homeschooler. Objective Calculate the speed of sound using the principle of resonance in a tube.
Chemistry Christmas Lab Shaving cream ornaments Middle School Science
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Chemistry Christmas Lab Shaving cream ornaments Middle School Science

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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
Astronomy Apollo 13 movie guide, Lab and Space Inventions Middle School Science
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Astronomy Apollo 13 movie guide, Lab and Space Inventions Middle School Science

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https://classful.com/product/astronomy-apollo-13-movie-guide-lab-and-space-inventions-middle-school-science/ Description NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy Part 1 STEM This lesson can be used during the movie or as a WebQuest prior to watching the 1995 film starring Tom Hanks. This movie is played at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium by NASA for my 8th-grade students on field trips. The answer key is included and written in red to make grading easier. Part 2 Students will learn the contributions to their everyday life from the Space Program Part 3 Lab How do astronauts feel when they are working in space Materials Nuts and Bolts Rubber gloves Big Bowl Water
Geology Mineral lab Streak Test Middle School Science
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Geology Mineral lab Streak Test Middle School Science

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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 Christmas Dinner Dimensional Analysis High School
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Chemistry Christmas Dinner Dimensional Analysis High School

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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
Chemistry Thermal Energy Transfer Mitten Lab Middle School Mitten Science
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Chemistry Thermal Energy Transfer Mitten Lab Middle School Mitten Science

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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
Genetics Kentucky Derby Racehorse Real Life Applications Middle & High School
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Genetics Kentucky Derby Racehorse Real Life Applications Middle & High School

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ing the excitement of horse racing into your classroom. Students will learn why horse breeders today use pedigrees to determine who to purchase by using a website professional breeders keep in their stables! Why are some horses better than others? Can be a fun activity for a sub. They will gain a better understanding of the Kentucky Derby. Racehorse breeding is a genetic lottery. All the numbers are in the pool you just have to be lucky enough to match them correctly to have a winner. What methods are used by the breeder to increase their chances of producing a winner This read is a real-life study in the world of genetics. Horse breeders use this site to find the bloodlines of horses they plan to buy to train for the racetrack. Have your students see how genetics is important in the Sport of Kings. They can trace bloodlines to the mid-1600s. This website is used by racehorse breeders today in the real world.
Biology DNA, RNA Standardized Test Prep Unit High School Biology
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Biology DNA, RNA Standardized Test Prep Unit High School Biology

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This product caters to both classroom teachers and substitute plans, offering versatility in teaching DNA replication and preparing for AP examinations. Tailored for high school and introductory college biology courses, it accommodates various levels typically found in high school biology classes, allowing for differentiation. Included are detailed lesson plans outlining how to effectively implement this resource, as well as two hands-on activities to reinforce comprehension. The product features key terms, a graphic organizer for chromosome comprehension, and an answer key designed for convenient reference during instruction, enabling seamless management of classroom activities.
AP Biology Photosynthesis 2 Labs, Reading and Multiple Choice
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AP Biology Photosynthesis 2 Labs, Reading and Multiple Choice

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https://youtube.com/shorts/wovQ12q6UQA?si=Us5pu3_q-qLEsq0s Description This product has been meticulously crafted to captivate your students and foster enduring comprehension in readiness for the AP Biology Exam, presenting an opportunity to save valuable preparation time. It serves as a versatile resource suitable for both substitute teacher plans and homeschooling environments. Moreover, the answer key is conveniently available in two formats, enabling you to oversee your class while referencing the correct answers. Each multiple-choice question is accompanied by a detailed explanation for enhanced clarity and understanding. Lab 1 Students are guided along to determine the rate of photosynthesis with all the settings as-is, and then with changing the light distance Lab 2 Students will determine the waste products of Photosynthesis The product includes Vocabulary terms and Crossword puzzle Two hands-on labs Practice Test Reading Total Pages 17 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 4 days
AP Biology Cellular Respiration Barf Lab and Directed Readings
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AP Biology Cellular Respiration Barf Lab and Directed Readings

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https://youtube.com/shorts/wRPCRFdLE4E?si=L1I_9jOZRo2SEiXU Description This resource aims to simplify complex topics, a task that the existing textbook may not achieve. It is designed to equip students for the cellular respiration section of the AP exam, ultimately saving teachers valuable preparation time. Easy-to-follow answer key Product contains Clear diagrams illustrating each step. Teacher notes for guidance. Test questions to assess understanding. The engaging “Barf Lab” activity offers a fun approach to reinforce learning. This inquiry lab involves very little preparation. Students set up the lab by mixing cereal, yeast, and water and then monitoring the expansion of the gas during the alcoholic fermentation process. By comparing class data on different cereals, students can identify the best source of sugar for the yeast. It visually maps the metabolic pathways of Cellular Respiration, catering to the needs of AP Biology students.
A P Biology Genetics & Evolution lab Adapt of Bird Beaks Darwin
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A P Biology Genetics & Evolution lab Adapt of Bird Beaks Darwin

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This activity has students model how different environmental factors can favor certain traits. Instead of using nuts and rice, you might choose to use birdseed which includes a variety of seed sizes. Students will discover how different beaks can impact what a bird is able to eat—detailed directions illustrated with clip art of different bird species. A must-lab for every teacher of evolution! Great lab for your nature lesson at camp! Objectives Understand that birds occupy different niches in the environment, allowing many birds to live in the same area. Understand that birds have different types of beaks and the beak type reflects the kind of food eaten Materials Several different tools for picking up small things, such as regular pliers, needle-nose pliers, tweezers, kitchen tongs Tray with small objects, such as nuts and rice Small Cup
AP Biology Evolution and Common Ancestry Labs and Multiple Choice
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AP Biology Evolution and Common Ancestry Labs and Multiple Choice

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https://youtube.com/shorts/0tQVk1XtZ0s?si=k_zv11c23vH6w31Z Description This educational resource offers a hands-on approach to teaching AP Biology Evolution, encompassing two comprehensive labs: “Genetic Diversity in Bacteria” and “Can the Environment Affect Survival.” Written with both the classroom and homeschool teacher Print and Go! Product Contains Vocabulary list for students, Graphic organizer illustrating embryonic development, Practice AP Biology test with an answer key, Supplementary readings Two Activities This product is designed to streamline and enhance the teaching process significantly. For parents seeking alternative options, there is a dedicated reading explaining perspectives opposing the theory of evolution. Science concepts. The student knows evolutionary theory is a scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life. The student is expected to: analyze and evaluate how the elements of natural selection, including inherited variation, the potential of a population to produce more offspring than can survive, and a finite supply of environmental resources, result in differential reproductive success; Moreover, the content thoroughly covers C.E.D. 7.6,7.7,7.10 and 7.11
Astronomy Viewing the Eclipse April 8, 2024 Lab Middle School Science
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Astronomy Viewing the Eclipse April 8, 2024 Lab Middle School Science

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https://youtube.com/shorts/mISCjMRuPX0?si=ixpYl9V5GOO4h9yc Description Celebrate the upcoming 2024 Solar Eclipse with our comprehensive Total Solar Eclipse Teaching Lesson. On Monday, April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will traverse North America Objective: To demonstrate an eclipse of the sun and the moon using models Materials: Light bulb Golf bulb Tennis ball How to safely view this event is outlined in this product!! This educational resource is designed to equip elementary students with engaging activities to enlighten them about this momentous astronomical event. If you are encountering difficulties in teaching the concept of Eclipses to your middle school students, this resource can provide valuable assistance. The product has two main sections Hands-on activity to simulate an eclipse. Detailed safety procedures for observing the eclipse on the day of the event. Benefits: Enhance Engagement: Transform the Total Solar Eclipse into a dynamic and educational experience that captivates students through interactive learning. I By incorporating hands-on activities, this lesson ensures that all students can delve into the marvels of the Solar Eclipse. Ideal for educators and homeschooling parents aiming to fascinate their students with the enchantment of the 2024 Solar Eclipse. This lesson is suitable for both traditional classroom settings and homeschooling environments, offering quick setup and breakdown for ease of use.