Are
you searching for engaging, inquiry-based science curriculum? Download
for free several investigations extracted from FHL’s OBJECT
LESSONS kits to use in your classroom.
These standards-based lessons absorb middle school students in the processes
of inquiry and fascinating science content. There’s also a lesson
plan to help you incorporate field journals successfully during outdoor
science investigations.
See for yourself. Download these sample investigations and get your students
involved in firsthand learning and scientific discovery.
To learn
how to support teachers best, we want to know what you think. Please tell
us by giving your feedback here.
1. Digging
Archaeology – Investigation 1
This is a great set of activities to introduce archaeology to your middle
school students and get them outside investigating a “site.”
It is taken from Digging
Archaeology, an Object Lessons kit that uses archaeological investigation
to engage children in the processes of science. The unit is based upon
a simulated dig derived from an authentic archaeological site that has
been modified for teaching purposes. In this investigation students share
what they already know, begin to develop the vocabulary of archaeology,
and then go outside where they have a concrete experience measuring and
gridding a site. They collect modern day artifacts that the teacher has
previously laid out, and then attempt to interpret their finds and infer
meaning from the patterns.
Download
Digging Archaeology Investigation 1
2. Investigating
Insects – Investigation 1
The first Investigation of the Investigating
Insects kit focuses on two key questions: “What is an arthropod?”
and “What is an insect?” To use these lessons on scientific
classification you will need to provide your own arthropod specimens (see
lesson 1) and images of arthropods that children can sort. Alternatively
you can purchase these materials from First Hand Learning, Inc.:
Order Arthropod Slides (5 sets
of 3 arthropods) - $30.00
Order Backyard Invertebrate Cards
(set of 35 and accompanying booklet) - $35
Download
Investigating Insects Investigation 1
3. Examining
Mammals – Investigation 5
This set of three lessons focuses on locomotion. Students develop their
own questions about the kinds of information they might deduce from human
tracks, and then go outdoors to perform simple experiments to look for
answers. Then they apply what they have learned from their experiments.
First they observe and record data on five sets of model mammal feet,
and then they match the models to the corresponding sets of Track Stencils.
These life-sized tracks provide data on the animal’s stride, and
on how it moves. They use reference materials to attempt to identify the
mammals from their tracks. Track Stories that challenge students to interpret
how the animals move about in their environment serve as a springboard
for students to create their own track stories for classmates to interpret.
You can find examples of the tracks of all five of the mammals (beaver,
deer, opossum, fox, rabbit) used in this investigation in reference books
or on the web (see www.enature.com/mammal_tracks/tracks_wizard01.asp
or www.gpnc.org/tracks.htm).
Alternatively, you can purchase the casts of mammal feet, track stencils,
and track stories from First Hand Learning:
Order Mammal Feet (set of 5 pairs)
$81.00
Order Mammal Track Stencils (set
of 5) $42.00
Order Track Stories (set of 2)
$4.95
Download
Examining Mammals Investigation 5
4. Using
a Field Journal
Prepare your students for scientific exploration of the outdoors with
this introductory lesson. By noting observations and measurements, asking
questions and recording ideas, students learn firsthand about their environment.
Download
the First Hand Learning Field Journal Lesson
Order
First Hand Learning Field Journals (grades 4 – 8)
Order Young Investigators Notebooks
(grades K – 3)
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Did
you like these free lessons? Learn more about the units of
which they are a part, and about other FHL products:
Object Lessons kits
First Hand Learning materials
for sale
First Hand Learning professional development
Digging Archaeology
 
Investigating
Insects Arthropod Slides & Backyard Invertebrates Card Set
Examining Mammmals
Track Stories
Examining Mammmals Feet
Field Journal
Lesson
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