Weekly Ongoing Science Lessons: Exploring Earth's Natural Cycles

The overarching theme of naturally occurring cycles is the central focus of these interactive science sessions. Utilizing Nearpod, hands-on investigations, teacher-led discussions, engaging videos, interactive games, and creative art extensions, students will deepen their understanding of the common cycles they encounter in nature. Each session will begin with a brief discussion on the concept of 'cycle' and will then focus on that week’s specific topic. All lessons are standalone and designed to be independent, allowing for flexibility in learning.
Week 1: The Water Cycle - We will explore the processes involved in the water cycle and how energy from the Sun powers this continuous movement of water. Students will create a Water Cycle in a Bag, in order to watch the process, create a water cycle diagram, and play an interactive game to demonstrate understanding of the vocabulary as we follow a drop of water through the atmosphere.
Week 2: Earth Cycles of Movement - In this session, we will explore how our planet moves in the universe to create the day/night cycle and seasonal cycles. We will make a model of the Sun, Earth, Moon system, using common household materials, and learn how the Earth's tilt on it's axis affects climate and weather around the globe. 
Week 3 Moon Cycles: In week three, we will explore the phases of the moon that occur every 29 days, and how the moon appears to change throughout the cycle. Students will begin a moon phase calendar that they can complete after class, participate in an activity to put phases in the correct order.
Week 4: Moon Cycles, part 2 - This class centers on the moon and tides on Earth. Students will explore how the moon's gravity affects Earth's tides. They will learn about spring tides and neap tides, and create a diagram to illustrate their understanding.
Week 5.: The Rock Cycle - This class will explore the processes that move Earth material through the rock cycle. We will see how molten magma moves close to the surface of the planet to become metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rock. The hands on component of this class will be to make sedimentary rock models. 
Week 6: Life Cycles, part 1 - This session content is the life cycles of  plants from seed through mature plant. Students will create life cycle diagrams and conduct an investigation to dissect a seed, then grow a plant in a bag.
Week 7: Life Cycles, part 2 - Life cycles of animals.: This session will focus on life cycles of animals, including insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. They will earn about complete and incomplete metamorphosis and create diagrams to illustrate each one. Session will be conducted through an interactive Nearpod presentation.
Week 8: Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Cycle - We will explore the carbon dioxide/oxygen cycle on Earth and how this cycle contributes to the interdependence of plants and animal survival through a Nearpod presentation. They will create a foldable to record their learning.

After week 8, the course will repeat.