Classroom Phenology: Using the Environment as a Source of Data and Observations part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a classroom and schoolyard investigation where students collect daily temperature and precipitation readings, weather observations, and weekly phenology reports in a phenology binder and in nature journals. Students then analyze this data and compare to recorded values in the Weatherguide calendar.

Utilizing Scientific Inquiry in Creative Writing part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students will utilize factually observed or researched information in a creative high interest-writing project.

Phenology and Weatherguide Calendar part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field observation and also an in-class discussion/share. Students share observations made outside and are aware of changes in the natural world.

How Do Living Things Change With the Seasons? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This classroom activity is an inquiry based lesson where students observe and measure temperature changes in order to determine which fabrics are best at keeping in heat.

Observing Leaves and descriptive writing part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity students will explore leaves using inquiry and their senses.

Exploring Effects of Oil Spills on Birds part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity allows children to explore the effects of oil spills on birds.

Daily Science Vocabulary Review with the Smart Board part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
An elementary review activity for chemistry vocabulary, tools, and concepts used with the classroom science curriculum.

Minnehaha Falls: Observing Changes in Nature through Drawing and Writing part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The activity is a field trip to Minnehaha Falls where students will observe and record their findings in a science notebook.

Critter Catalog-Creating a Field Guide to Minnesota Animals part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity will help students learn about Minnesota animals and characteristics that distinguish them from one another.

Investigating Decomposition Processes of a Plant part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students observe the decomposition of a pumpkin under controlled circumstances. These observations are used to take notes and develop questions.

Connecting the story "Diary of a Worm" to a daily activity diary part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity, you will read the book "Diary of a Worm" and then your students will create their own diary.

What Lives Under a Rock? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students will listen to the book, Under One Rock Bugs, Slugs, and Other Ughs, written by Anthony D. Frederick and illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio and then make a mini-book observation journal, Under One Rock to record what they see when they go outdoors to investigate what lives under a rock.

Fish Habitats part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a unit for K-2 students on fish habitats. The last day is a field trip to a local lake.

Tulip Growth and the Parts of the Flower part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a field and classroom activity in which students will observe tulip growth and identify and describe the parts of the tulip flower.

The American Red Squirrel an Outdoor Inquiry Lesson part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is outdoor activity involving students in gathering information on what an American Red Squirrel Eats and its interdependence with the coniferous forest.

Introduction to Nature Journaling part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students will learn the importance of detail when nature journaling.

Leaf Walk: Observing and Investigating Leaves part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students compare leaves, share observations and develop an investigable question to be explored by the class in small groups.

Investigating Minnesota Tree Leaves part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
During the leaf activities the students will compare, contrast, classify, categorize, identify attributes, learn art techniques and learn about the importance of trees.

Looking for Living and Nonliving Things part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students begin to generate ideas about what is living and nonliving by observing and recording what they see in a defined area outdoors and later sharing things that they think are living and why.

Comparing Two Leaves part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is an inquiry where students will be comparing and contrasting two different types of leaves with a partner.