Biology in elementary schools

Introduction
This miniwiki is being established to share some ideas about teaching biology in elementary schools. The motivation behind the creation of this page is twofold: 1. to provide an outlet for the teaching ideas of a group of college educators participating in a workshop-style course; 2. to provide a space where anyone else interested in this topic can place their ideas.

Core idea format
The ideas posted here will be designed as inexpensive 20-minute hands-on programs to supplement other teaching methods in the elementary classroom. Ideally, each program can be run from non-perishable consumables and durable goods that can fit in a small box that will sit on a shelf until needed. The materials should be free, cheap, or common items that might be expected to be on hand in a typical classroom. These constraints are designed to provide a set of programs that can be pulled off the shelf at a moment's notice and, once created, will require minimal additional preparation on the part of busy teachers.

More expansive program ideas are welcome but should be created in an additional section outside of the core ideas section.

All of the content should meet the definition of science and should not attempt to advance particular political or religious points of view.

Format details
Use of a consistent format will make the programs more user friendly. As you add new material using the edit function, please cut and paste the following list of headings into the new space you create. Delete the suggestions under each heading and add your own content (after reviewing the Project: copyrights page) under each heading.

Primary biological content area covered
Briefly list the concepts to which this activity will expose students.

Materials
Place any safety equipment needed at the top of the list. List all materials in three categories: materials required for the teacher's use (watering can for example); materials required for each student group (potting soil perhaps); materials that each individual student would need (let's say a flower pot; think 'yogurt cup' and seed).

Handouts
If there are simple written instructions that students would use during this activity they should be placed here and they can be cut and pasted into a word processing document for printing. If there are mechanisms within this web format to upload more complex documents with diagrams, we will learn as we go.

Description of activity
Briefly describe the activity, but provide enough detail so that the activity can easily be completed by other teachers without your intimate knowledge of the topic. A bullet list may be a good format for some projects, but a few paragraphs may work just as well. Build in enough time for students to clean up after themselves and restock the program box for future students.

Potential pitfalls
From your experience running the activity, list any difficulties you encountered. Where possible, incorporate any modifications of the activity that could reduce these pitfalls directly into the description above.

Math connections
Does the activity link in any way to grade-appropriate math skills?

Literature connections
What children's literature interfaces with the activity you have described. Are there specific library materials that you should have on hand to tie this idea into the broader curriculum?

Citations and links
While brand new ideas are very valuable and most welcome here, tried and trusted ideas of others will probably make up the bulk of the material on this site. It is important to respect the copyrights of others, and also to acknowledge their ideas. A full citation to published materials is essential and also useful. If there are online materials that would be useful to supplement your program, place them here.