Teaching Tips

Looking for some ideas for teaching ELA, math, or science in upper elementary? You've come to the right place. You can filter by subject, use the search icon above, or just browse.

Roller Coasters Energy Transfer Project – Potential and Kinetic

November 21, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Energy, Engineering Design, Physical Science, Science

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Roller coasters engage kids in exploration of potential and kinetic energy. With some plastic tubing and BBs, they can use the engineering design process to build, test, and refine. What’s…

Inexpensive Dollar Store Physics Activities for Kids

November 14, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Physical Science, Science

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Dollar store physics (or physical science) activities make energy lessons pop! Try these energy and wave projects for some inexpensive and purposeful fun! (more…)

Patterns Transfer Information – 3 Easy Science Activities

November 7, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Physical Science, Science, Waves

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How can you teach fourth graders about using patterns to transfer information? First, introduce Morse Code. Second, explain binary code. Third, discuss simple signals, such as thumbs up and thumbs…

Teaching About the Eye and Vision in Fourth Grade

October 31, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Physical Science, Science, Waves

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Teaching about the eye and vision? Try these simple activities. First, your fourth grade students experiment with light. Second, they learn the parts of the eye and make analogies. From…

What Happens When Objects Collide – Collisions in Physics

October 24, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Energy, Physical Science, Science

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Teach collisions in physics to show kids what happens when objects collide. In this set of physical science activities, students explore collisions using miniature pool tables. (more…)

Halloween ELA Activities – Reading, Writing, and Punctuation

October 17, 2021

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts

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Halloween ELA activities spark kids’ attention. This October, increase learning with reading passages, writing prompts, and punctuation activities. Your third, fourth, and fifth grade students will love them! (more…)

9 Forms of Energy and Examples for Kids

October 10, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Energy, Physical Science, Science

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What are the 9 forms of energy and examples? It’s time to introduce light, sound, heat, electricity, motion, gravity, mechanical, chemical, and nuclear. First, break them into two categories: kinetic…

Teaching the Relationship Between Speed and Energy

October 3, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Energy, Physical Science, Science

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Teaching about the special relationship between speed and energy? A variety of hands-on activities let kids explore and conceptualize how increasing speed increases energy – and vice versa. (more…)

Kids Learn About Moon Movement, Phases, Tides, and Eclipses

September 26, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Astronomy, Earth Science, Science

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Learn about Moon movement, phases, tides, and eclipses with a model. Then kids will conceptualize its motion relative to the Earth and Sun. (more…)

Cheap and Easy Dollar Store Earth Science Activities for Kids

September 19, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Earth Science, Science

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Dollar store earth science labs create a win-win situation. Kids love the hands-on activities. You love the low price tag. Grab some cheap materials and try these easy activities. Browse…