EARLY CHILDHOOD STEM LAB
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    • Pre-Service Teachers >
      • Eagle Cam Project
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    • In-Service Educators >
      • Preschool STEM Workshop Series
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activity plans

Activity Plans


Activity plans listed below were created by pre-service early childhood or elementary education students from East Tennessee State University. They are grounded in the 5Es instructional model. Note that the plans were posted as submitted.
  • Integrated Unit Plans (early childhood)
  • Interactive Notebooks (elementary)

Integrated Unit Plans


WOOD and TREES (K)
Unit Plan Title: 
Exploration of Wood
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Science Concept - DCI: PS - observation
Teacher candidate name: Layken Ward​ (Spring 2018)

This 2-week integrated STEM Unit Plan extends observations and explorations related to materials by focusing in on just one material - wood. Links to other domains are included, such as connections with trees.

TN Science Standard (Anchor): K.PS.1.1 Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials including wood, plastic, metal, cloth, and paper by their observable properties (color, texture, hardness, and flexibility) and whether they are natural or human-made.

ENGINEERING A NEST (1st Grade)
Unit Plan Title:
Birds and Nests
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Science Concept - DCI: ESS - animals and basic needs

Teacher candidate name: Alyssa Hare (Spring 2020) 
Grade ranges: 1st grade
This 2-week integrated STEM Unit Plan is designed to facilitate students in using models for recognizing, describing, and predicting the patterns of the moon. Through a series of scaffolded lessons, students will use inquiry to investigate and observe what causes the phases of the moon and how we can use the patterns to predict the phases.   

TN Science Standard: K.ESS3: Use a model to represent the relationship between the basic needs (shelter, food, water) of different plant and animals (including humans) and the places they live.




THE MOON (1st Grade)
Unit Plan Title: 
The Moon
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Science Concept - DCI: Earth's Place - The Universe and its Stars
Teacher candidate name: Elizabeth Schock (Spring 2020) 
Grade ranges: 1st grade
This 2-week integrated STEM Unit Plan is designed to facilitate students in using models for recognizing, describing, and predicting the patterns of the moon. Through a series of scaffolded lessons, students will use inquiry to investigate and observe what causes the phases of the moon and how we can use the patterns to predict the phases.   

TN Science Standard: ESS 1.1: Use observations or models of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.

​NGSS Standard: 
1-ESS1 Earth's Place in the Universe
  • 1-ESS1-1.Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted. 
  • 1-ESS1-2.Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year. 

POLLINATION (1st Grade)
Unit Plan Title: 
Pollination
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Science Concept - DCI: Life Science - Structures and Processes
Teacher candidate name: Victoria Karcher​ (Spring 2020)​
Grade ranges: 1st grade
This 2-week integrated STEM Unit Plan will focus on pollination, where it is located, how it is transferred, and the part bees play in the pollination process. The Unit Plan integrates language arts, mathematics, social studies, music, art, and movement into the focal science standard. This group of children are already knowledgeable about plant structure and function.

TN Science Standard: 1.LS1: 1) Recognize the structure of plants (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) and describe the function of the parts (taking in water and air, producing food, making new plants).

​NGSS Standard: 
1-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
  • 1-LS1-1.Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.

CLOTHING DESIGN (K-2nd Grade)
Unit Plan Title: 
Exploring Materials to Design Clothes
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Science Concept - DCI: Physical science – properties of matter
Teacher candidate name: Daisy Flomberg (Spring 2020)
Grade ranges: K-2nd
This 2-week integrated STEM Unit Plan supports students’ thinking and learning related to physical science and the physical, observable properties of different types of materials (e.g., cloth, metal). Students use measurement for a purpose, as they design and create their own piece of clothing. 

TN Science Standard: K.PS1.01. Plan and construct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials including wood, plastic, metal, cloth, and paper by their observable properties (color, texture, hardness, and flexibility) and whether or not they are natural or human-made.  ​

​NGSS Standard: 
2-PS1-1 Matter and Its Interactions
  • Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.

CATAPULTS (K-4th Grade)
Unit Plan Title: 
Exploring pushes and pulls and building a catapult
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Science Concept - DCI: Physical science – forces and motion
Teacher candidate name: Emmalee Atkins (Spring 2019)
Grade ranges: K-3rd
 
Description: Over two weeks, students will explore hands-on challenges, view videos, write, and talk about forces including pushes and pulls. They will think about what the difference is between these two types of forces and how different strengths of forces impact motion. Students will then apply what they learned in the activities to engineer a catapult.

​TN Science Standard: 3.PS3 Energy is present when objects move; describe effects of energy transfer from one object to another

​
NGSS Standard: 
PS3.B:  Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
  • Energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light, or heat. When objects collide, energy can be transferred from one object to another, thereby changing their motion. In such collisions, some energy is typically also transferred to the surrounding air; as a result, the air gets heated and sound is produced. (4-PS3-2), (4-PS3-3)

PING PONG LAUNCHERS (3rd-4th grade)
​Unit Plan Title
: Ping Pong Ball Launchers and Energy Transfer
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Science Concept - DCI: Physical science – forces and motion
Teacher candidate name: Anna Lowe (Sexton) (Spring 2018)
Grade ranges: 3rd
 
Description: Students will talk about pushes and pulls in this unit, build ping pong ball launchers, and read books on forces. 

TN Science Standard: 3.PS3 Energy is present when objects move; describe effects of energy transfer from one object to another

NGSS Standard: 
PS3.B:  Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
  • Energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light, or heat. When objects collide, energy can be transferred from one object to another, thereby changing their motion. In such collisions, some energy is typically also transferred to the surrounding air; as a result, the air gets heated and sound is produced. (4-PS3-2), (4-PS3-3)

WATER SOUNDS (1st-2nd grade)
​Unit Plan Title
: Sound and Vibrations Integrated Unit​
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Science Concept - DCI: Physical Science – Relationship Between Sound and Vibration
Teacher candidate name: Boyd Sydney (Spring, 2019)

Grade ranges: Second Grade

Description: This activity is based on the concept of sound and its cause and effect relationship with vibrating materials. Students will be conducting and planning investigations on how to observe the relationship.

TN Science Standard: 2.PS4 (Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer)
 Plan and conduct investigations to demonstrate the cause and effect relationship between vibrating materials (tuning forks, water, bells) and sounds.

NGSS Standard: 
1-PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer​
  • Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate. (1-PS4-1)

DAY AND NIGHT (1st grade)
Unit Plan Title
​: Things in the Sky​
Science Concept - DCI: Earth and Space Science - Earth and the Solar System​
Teacher candidate name: Blake Pierce (Spring, 2018)
Grade ranges: First Grade
Description: This 2- week unit will focus on using models or observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted. Children will conduct their own investigations as well as observe models and images of objects in outer space.

TN Science Standard: 
Earth’s Place in the Universe- 1.ESS1: Use observations or models of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted. 
1.ETS1: Solve scientific problems by asking testable questions, making short- term and long- term observations, and gathering information.


THE LIFE OF WATER (3rd grade)
Unit Plan Title​: Diving into The Life of Water​
Science Concept - DCI: Earth and Space Science - The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes ​
Teacher candidate name: Channing Hamby (Spring, 2018)
Grade ranges: Third Grade
Description: This 2-week unit plan that will focus on water and the cycle of water on Earth. Children will explore water and learn the cycle of how it is formed. By the end of the unit, children will be able to explain the cycle of water on earth both orally and also by illustrating.​

TN Science Standard: 
3.ESS2: Earth’s Systems: Explain the cycle of water on Earth

CLASSIFYING ANIMALS (2nd grade)
Unit Plan Title​: Classifying Animals
Science Concept - DCI: Life Science 
Teacher candidate name: Courtney Fitzstevens (Spring, 2018)
Grade ranges: Second Grade
Description: The main goal of the unit is for students to be able to obtain information on animals’ physical characteristics and communicate it, correctly. The teacher will be implementing hands-on activities, group work, projects, and experiments that promote inquiry and are engaging.​

TN Science Standard: 
 2.LS1: 2) Obtain and communicate information to classify animals (vertebrates-mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, invertebrates-insects) based on their physical characteristics. 

SEVERE WEATHER IN TN (k)
Unit Plan Title​: ​Severe Weather in TN
Science Concept - DCI: Earth and Space Science - Weather and Climate 
Teacher candidate name: Bailey Kerley (Spring, 2018)
Grade ranges: Kindergarten
Description: The 2-week unit will focus on severe weather in Tennessee, specifically how we can prepare for this weather. Children will explore the different types of weather and what we should do to prepare for it. By the end of the unit, children will be able to describe many types of severe weather in Tennessee in depth and explain different ways to prepare for those types of weather.

TN Science Standard: 
K.ESS3 20 Explain the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather in Tennessee.

ANIMALS THAT FORM GROUPS (3rd grade)
Unit Plan Title: Animals that form groups (BEES)
Science Concept - DCI: Life Science​
Teacher candidate name: Lily Ann Smith (Spring, 2018)
Grade ranges: Third Grade
Description: The 2-week unit will focus on animals and why some of them benefit from forming groups, by the end of this unit students will be able to identify some animals that form groups and why those animals benefit from forming groups. Students will specifically be focusing on bees as an animal that forms a group for this unit.

TN Science Standard: 
3.LS.2 Ecosystems: Energry, Dynamics, and Interactions
-construct an argument to explain why some animals benefit from forming groups.

THE EXPLORATION OF WOOD (k)
Unit Plan Title​:The Exploration of Wood
Science Concept - DCI: Physical Science- Matter and Its Interactions​
Teacher candidate name: Layken R. Ward (Spring, 2018)
Grade ranges: Kindergarten
Description: The main goal for this unit is for the students to explore with their senses to gain an understanding of how important wood is to humans. To start off this unit, the students will be engaged in an activity that allows them to explore wood materials using their senses. The students will go on nature walks, explore with sink and float, as well as experiment in building with wood and non-wood materials to look more in-depth at the properties of wood.​

TN Science Standard: 
K.PS.1 1) Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials including wood, plastic, metal, cloth, and paper by their observable properties (color, texture, hardness, and flexibility) and whether they are natural or human-made.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS AND ANIMALS (k)
Unit Plan Title​:Differences between plants and animals
Science Concept - DCI: Life Science​ -From Molecules to Organisms
Teacher candidate name: Payton Morrell (Spring, 2018)
Grade ranges: Kindergarten
Description: The 2-week unit will focus on plants and animals and ways that they are different. Children will explore plants and animals in various ways with teacher provided materials. This unit is specifically focusing on locomotion, obtainment of food, and taking in air/gasses. By the end of the unit students will know the differences between plants and animals.

TN Science Standard: 
K.LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
1)Use information from observations to identify differences between plants and animals (locomotoin, obtainment of food, and take in air/gasses.

PUSH AND PULL (2nd Grade)
Unit Plan Title​:Push and Pull 
Science Concept - DCI: Physical science- Forces, Fields, and Motion​
Teacher candidate name: Tuesday Dowell (Spring, 2018)
Grade ranges: Second Grade
Description: This unit plan is on push and pull, specifically what push and pull looks like after objects have collided or connected. The activities and lessons within this unit are designed to help children understand that push and pull can be forced on objects and also be the outcome of action.

TN Science Standard: 
2.PS2.1. Analyze the push or the pull that occurs when objects collide or are connected.
Interactive Notebooks
CLOUD TYPES (3rd Grade)
Title:
Cloud Types
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Science Concept - DCI: Weather and Climate
Teacher candidate name: Savana Cleek  (Spring 2020) 
Grade ranges: 3rd grade
This integrated STEM Unit Plan used the 5Es learning cycle to engage the students in the explanation of clouds and weather types. The weather brochures created by students will explain the weather associated with specific cloud types, and how time is part of weather and cloud predictions.

TN Standards: 
Science: 
  • 3.ESS2.2 Associate major cloud types (cumulus, cumulonimbus, cirrus, stratus, nimbostratus) with weather conditions.
Math: 
  • 3.MD.A.1 Tell and write time to the nearest minute and measure time intervals in minutes. Solve contextual problems involving addition and subtraction of time intervals in minutes. For example, students may use a number line to determine the difference between the start time and the end time of lunch.
​
​
NGSS Standard: 
3-ESS2-1.Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. ​

FRACTIONS IN THE WILD  (4th Grade)
Title: 
Fractions in the Wild​​
Picture
Book image from: Amazon.com
Science Concept - DCI: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Teacher candidate name: Cameryn Booker  (Spring 2020) 
Grade ranges: 4th grade
This integrated STEM Unit Plan used the 5Es learning cycle to facilitate students in learning fractions and core ideas related to ecosystems.

TN Standards: 
Science: 
  • 4.LS2.4- Develop and use models to determine the effects of introducing a species to, or removing a species from, an ecosystem and how either one can damage the balance of an ecosystem. 
Math: 
  • 4.NF.A.1- Explain why a fraction 𝑎/𝑏 is equivalent to a fraction 𝑎×𝑛/ 𝑏×𝑛 or 𝑎÷𝑛/𝑏÷𝑛 by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions. ​
​
​
NGSS Standard: 
5-LS2-1. Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

PENDULUM SWINGS (5th Grade)
Title: 
Pendulum Swings
Picture
Science Concept - DCI: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
Teacher candidate name: Audrey Pendola  (Spring 2020) 
Grade ranges: 5th grade
This integrated STEM Unit Plan used the 5Es learning cycle to facilitate students in exploring the ideas of cause and effect of forces on objects, forces can be measured by their effect on an object, and the power of forces on objects can create patterns within systems. Students will build their own pendulum swings and measure the amount of time it takes for them to follow and end their cycle (complete stop). 

TN Standards: 
Science Standard  
  • 5.PS2.5 Explain how forces can create patterns within a system (moving in one direction, shifting back and forth, or moving in cycles), and describe conditions that affect how fast or slowly these patterns occur. 
Math Standards 
  • 5.MD.B.2 Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (1/2, 1/4, 1/8). Use operations on fractions for this grade to solve problems involving information presented in line plots. For example, given different measurements of liquid in identical beakers, find the amount of liquid each beaker would contain if the total amount in all the beakers were redistributed equally.  

​NGSS Standard: 
5-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
  • 5-PS2-1.Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down. 

SKIP COUNTING AND LIFE CYCLES  (2nd Grade)
Title: 
A Hop and Skip with STEM 
Picture
 Science Concept - DCI: From molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Teacher candidate name: TJ Chase (Spring 2020) 
Grade ranges: 2nd grade
 This integrated STEM Unit Plan employed the 5Es learning cycle and hands-on activities to facilitate students' learning in skip-counting within 1000 and using simple graphical representations to show that species have different and diverse life cycle.
​
TN Standards: 
Math 
  • 2.NBT.A.2 Count within 1000. Skip-count within 1000 by 5s, 10s, and 100s, starting from any number in its skip counting sequence. 
Science
  • ​2.LS1.3 Use simple graphical representations to show that species have unique and diverse life cycles.

​NGSS Standard: 
3-LS1-1.Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (5th grade)
Title
: Exploring Animals and Patterns​
Science Concept - DCI: Life Science
Teacher candidate name: Mackenzie Garcia (Spring, 2019)

MAKING WAVES (4th grade)
Title
: Making Waves​​
Science Concept - DCI: Physical Science
Teacher candidate name: Allison Frazier (Spring, 2019)
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