Each lesson includes a brief descriptor of the purpose and scope of the lesson. Most lessons are supported with many digital resources indicated by:
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The first few lessons in each category are available for immediate FREE download.To access the entire lesson library go to our Subscriptions Section where you can purchase a yearly school subscription or individual teacher supscriptions to the full 3000+ lessons library.
Subcriptions for both overseas teachers and overseas schools are also available. Please email us at: starters@reap.org.nz and we will send you full details.
(001)ExploringWater.pdf : [310 KB]
Exploring the Magic of Water: Yrs 1-4 • By observation, students will explore and change the properties of water, including, smell, shape, colour and taste. • Students will build up a water vocabulary to be able to explain their observations, experiences and properties of water.
ALL ABOUT FISH.pdf : [93 KB]
A living world science investigation using the topic of fish. As well as learning where fish live, what they eat and physical features of fish, students will also find out how to look after fish and where we find fish. Many creative activities included. FISH AND GAME TEACHER RESOURCESWebsite Supporting this UnitVideos supporting this unit.
ALLIGATORS.pdf : [124 KB]
ALLIGATORS • Discovering how alligators interact with other creatures and how they interact with their environment. • Discovering the special adaptive features of alligators, where they live, what they eat, how they move … • Discovering the differences and similarities between alligators and crocodiles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbFpqa_JCm8 VIDEOS OF ALLIGATORS FILMED IN THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
BEACH VISIT.pdf : [93 KB]
Students always enjoy a visit and it provides a great learning experience. In this unit, students prepare for their visit by sharing what they already know about the beach and the birds and creatures they will find there. Students prepare lists of questions they would like answered on their visit to the beach. A list of activities are provided and lots of cross curricular ideas for back in the classroom.
BECOME A ROCKHOUND.pdf : [89 KB]
An introduction to the world of rocks and investigations into the scientific realm of the Physical World. Students collect and classify many different types of rocks and offer explanations for the choices they make. Close links to English and the Place and Environment strand os social sciences.
BECOME A WEEDBUSTER.pdf : [1 MB]
BECOME A WEEDBUSTER! SPREAD THE WORD
Multi-level science, social science, environmental and English based classroom activities. Students explore just what weedbusting is all about, identify weeds to bust and plan and carry out their own weedbusting programme. The unit concludes with spreading the weedbusting message to the local community.
BEES ARE AWESOME.pdf : [283 KB]
September is when we celebrate Bee Aware Month in New Zealand – a month fully dedicated to celebrating bees! Not that we don’t do this all year round but we have an excuse to do so even more during Bee Aware Month. But why wait till September!!!! How to Teach About Bees (Website) Websites and Videos to Celebrate BEES
BIRD TABLE.pdf : [239 KB]
There is no better way for young students to develop a greater understanding of and love of bird life than to design bird feeders/tables for the school grounds. Environmental education in a technology, social sciences and English setting. Website supporting this unit.Videos supporting this unit.
BUSH FIELD TRIP.pdf : Subscription Only Download [92 KB]
Activities to involve students in planning and enjoying a field trip to a local native bush area. Many cross curricular activities. Additional Resources for this Unit
CELEBRATE SEAWEEK.pdf : Subscription Only Download [112 KB]
Seaweek is the annual celebration where we encourage students to: increase their knowledge and understanding of our precious marine environment; understand and promote the need for sustainable use of our coastal and marine environments; develop a sense of personal responsibility for the marine environment and develop an understanding of the relationship between people and the marine environment. Practical science and a wealth of cross curricula ideas and activities. Can be used at any time of the year!
CLASSIC INVESTIGATIONS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [163 KB]
Dozens of on-going science investigations for students on an atmospheric, cosmos, gardening and energy themes. Makes extensive use of Google and sciencekids.co.nzScience Kids Web Page Links Supporting this Unit
CLASSIFICATION.pdf : Subscription Only Download [261 KB]
In this unit students explore the idea that there are lots of different things in the world and we can group them by finding the things that groups of creatures have in common – we can classify them. CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING THINGS ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION INTERACTIVE GAME
earthquake.pdf : [299 KB]
LEARN MORE ABOUT EARTHQUAKES WITH WHAT'S THE PLAN,STAN? New Zealand experiences thousands of earthquakes every year. Most are either very deep or centred well offshore, causing little damage or injury. However, a severe earthquake can occur at any time with devastating effects. The Kaikoura 7.8M earthquake is yet another reminder of our need to be prepared. Use this single page live-linked pdf of essential resources at school with students; school leaders; boards of trustees and for your local community and parents. Make it available by downloading the pdf and placing it on your school/class website and/or facebook pages. It can also be printed out and sent home with school newsletters. More information and relevant links can also be found at: What's the Plan, Stan is linked to the curriculum areas of Health & PE; Social Sciences; Science and English.
FUN WITH GARDENS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [98 KB]
Lots of practical (and fun) activities for students to learn about the living world.
IS IT ALIVE.pdf : Subscription Only Download [97 KB]
Living world science explorations to introduce young students to the concept that all things can be classified as living or non-living. In the course of the unit, students will discover how to care for and look after animals and plants. Strong links to English and the visual and performing arts. Living and Non Living Things (Science Learning Hub).
JOY OF GARDENS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [99 KB]
Students will share experiences of the living world by examining and discovering similarities and differences between flowers. The unit culminates in the creating and planting of a class garden and learning about plant response to seasonal change.
KERERU.pdf : Subscription Only Download [183 KB]
THE KERERU COUNT The kereru (NZ wood pigeons) are very important for keeping our forests healthy as they are the only birds that can spread the seeds of native trees. Unfortunately kereru are in decline through predation, habitat loss and damage, competition and illegal hunting. This unit provides ideas and linksfor your students to learn about these wonderful birds, the threats they face and their importance in the wider ecosystem. Close-ups of Kereru Feeding Eating and Flying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm4r3jfRQ3s https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1009102532-kereru-pigeon-taking-flight-branchWebsites supporting this unit.Videos supporting this unit.
LIGHTS GO OUT.pdf : Subscription Only Download [149 KB]
A fun unit based on our response to a common situation – our power goes down. Students are introduced to the idea that electricity is used to power so many of our household appliances and how it helps us in our everyday lives. Strong links to the arts and health.
MAKE AN ANEMOMETER.pdf : Subscription Only Download [96 KB]
An enjoyable and informative project for students to construct a simple wind-speed anemometer to find out how strong the wind is.
NATIVE BUSH STUDY.pdf : Subscription Only Download [89 KB]
In this unit, students visit a local bush area and cary out a series of tasks including: looking for signs of damage to the bush, observing young seedlings, naming some native trees, identifying bush birds etc. Fun follow up activities for back in the classroom conclude the unit.
OUR FIVE SENSES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [111 KB]
In a Living World – Life processes science context, students discover and explore their five senses and gain an understanding of their importance to people in helping them make sense of the world around them.
PARACHUTES AND GLIDERS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [102 KB]
Handkerchief parachutes and paper gliders are used as a way to introduce young students to the concept of air and wind – things that we know are there but we can not see. This unit is designed as a physical inquiry unit and encourages speculation and interesting group and class discussion. Paper Glider Instructions – WebsiteWebsite to support this unit.Video to support this unit.
REASONS FOR TREES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [97 KB]
Arbor Day falls every year on June 5. It is much more than the start of the tree planting season - think of it as a celebration of everything that depends on trees and the importance of them in our daily lives. These ideas are to help you and your class celebrate the day with purpose and at the same time have some fun - it is a celebration! Living world strand of science plus many cross-curricular links. This booklet includes:
Arbor Day Teaching Resource pdf.
RIDE THE WIND.pdf : Subscription Only Download [102 KB]
Science based activities based on the theme of the wind including; how do we measure it, how do we know it is there and building up a wind vocabulary. Additional Resources for this Unit
SEEDS AND TEMPERATURES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [82 KB]
Two simple science experiments/activities involving investigating seeds and discovering how we can use a thermometer to read temperature. Lots of opportunities for discussion.
THINGS THAT FLY.pdf : Subscription Only Download [91 KB]
A making sense of the physical world unit where students conduct simple experiments with objects to see which fly the best and then speculate on the reasons for this. The unit concludes with students considering the nature of air – how do we know it is there … FUN PAPER AIRPLANE TEMPLATES (many styles)Websites to enhance this lesson
USING WATER.pdf : Subscription Only Download [172 KB]
Science and environment based ideas exploring the uses of water and how we can measure the amount we use and the importance of conserving water.
VOLCANOES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [79 KB]
Explorations based on volcanoes. What are they? Why do they explode? What comes out of them? Where are they found? What damage do they cause? Are they dangerous? Why do we have them on earth?
WATER EXPERIENCES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [94 KB]
Using the context of water to express and develop science ideas and simple scientific theories to explore and test. Using the context of water to develop and explore new vocabulary to describe physical observations and feelings.
WATERSERIES 1.pdf : Subscription Only Download [112 KB]
WATER SERIES #1 LESSON ONE IN A SERIES OF NATURE OF SCIENCE AND MATERIAL WORLD EXPLORATIONS FOR YOUNG STUDENTS: Best suited to Years 1-3 Achievement Objectives Cool Water Experiments for Kids 18 Cool Water and Tricks Video Science Experiments with Water Cool Water Science Experiments to Try at Home Video
Website Links to Extend this Lesson
WATERSERIES 2.pdf : Subscription Only Download [178 KB]
WATER SERIES # 2 Best suited to Years 1-3 Achievement Objectives Through observation and experimentation students will discover:
WATERY IDEAS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [87 KB]
A living world science based cross-curricula unit where students conduct observations at the beach, rivers and stream to discover what makes up the physical environment of each setting. They also look for threats to the environment such as litter and listen to the particular sounds of each environment. Lots of cross curricula ideas including 'pseudo science', music and visual arts.
WHAT IS ENERGY.pdf : Subscription Only Download [105 KB]
Science activities where students try to find out what is meant by energy, where it comes from, what provides it and how do we use it.
WHAT IS TEMPERATURE.pdf : Subscription Only Download [85 KB]
Students begin thinking about the concept of temperature, how it affects us in everyday life and how we can measure temperature using a thermometer.
WOOD AND TREES.pdf : Subscription Only Download [89 KB]
Students are asked to investigate and find out what are the purposes for trees, eg as an environment for birds and insects and for producing products that we all use. Students then take a close look at everyday products to find out the different materials they are made out of.
WOOL; FUR; FEATHERS.pdf : Subscription Only Download [116 KB]
A major science based unit where students begin thinking about animals, and in particular, farm animals. The unit includes a farm visit where students learn about kind treatment of farm animals and why we farm them. Lots of cross curricular activities with an emphasis on vocabulary development.