Lesson-plans

Curiosity — Lesson Plan

Overview

A lively song that shows children that science begins with curiosity. Through the stories of Isaac Newton, Ignaz Semmelweis, Maria Mitchell, and Alexander Graham Bell, students learn that great discoveries often begin when someone notices something puzzling and asks, “Why?”

Teaching Steps

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Watch again and sing along.
  3. Discuss the four scientists and the questions they asked.
  4. Ask students to think of something they are curious about.
  5. Optional: Have students draw themselves making an important discovery.

Meet the Scientists

Isaac Newton (1642–1727)

Newton wondered why apples fall downward instead of upward. His curiosity led to the idea of gravity—the force that pulls objects toward the Earth and keeps the Moon in orbit.

Ignaz Semmelweis (1818–1865)

Semmelweis noticed that many more mothers were dying in the doctors’ maternity ward than in the midwives’ ward. He asked why and discovered that doctors were carrying infection from autopsies to their patients. Handwashing with disinfectant dramatically reduced deaths.

Maria Mitchell (1818–1889)

Working late at night with her telescope on Nantucket Island, Maria Mitchell discovered a comet in 1847. She became America’s first widely recognized female astronomer and inspired generations of young women to study science.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922)

Bell was fascinated by hearing and sound, partly because his mother was hard of hearing. His curiosity about how sound travels led to the invention of the telephone.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is curiosity?
  2. Why do scientists ask questions?
  3. What question did Newton ask?
  4. What problem was Semmelweis trying to solve?
  5. What did Maria Mitchell discover?
  6. How did Bell’s interest in hearing lead to the telephone?
  7. What do all four scientists have in common?
  8. What is something you are curious about?
  9. How can asking “Why?” lead to new discoveries?
  10. Which scientist’s story did you find most interesting?

Science Connections

  • Gravity pulls objects toward Earth.
  • Germs can spread disease.
  • Telescopes help us study space.
  • Sound travels in waves.
  • Scientific discoveries often begin with careful observation and thoughtful questions.

Character Education

  • Curiosity
  • Observation
  • Perseverance
  • Creativity
  • Problem Solving

Moral

Every great scientific discovery begins when someone becomes curious enough to ask, “Why?”

Extension Activities

  • Keep a “Curiosity Journal” for one week.
  • Research another scientist who made an important discovery.
  • Draw a picture showing one of the discoveries from the song.
  • Write your own verse about a scientist you admire.

Teacher Note

James Bryant Conant argued that science should be taught through case histories that dramatize the moment of discovery. This song follows that approach by showing students that science is a human adventure driven by curiosity rather than a collection of facts to memorize.

Interstellar Friend — Lesson Plan

Background for Teachers

On October 1, 1847, Maria Mitchell quietly left a social gathering in her family’s home on Nantucket Island and climbed upstairs to her telescope for one last look at the night sky.

Maria Mitchell was unmarried and devoted much of her life to astronomy. As one of the very few women in science during the 1800s, she may at times have felt a little lonely. Yet her love of the stars sustained her. On this particular evening, she noticed a faint object moving against the background stars. Rubbing her tired eyes, she could scarcely believe her luck. She had discovered a new comet.

Because she was the first person to report it, the comet would forever bear her name. The discovery brought her international fame and made her America’s first widely recognized woman astronomer.

Maria Mitchell’s story beautifully illustrates the theme of this song. Somewhere among the billions of stars, there may be another curious being looking toward Earth and wondering whether anyone is out there.

Overview

A thoughtful and imaginative song that invites students to consider one of humanity’s oldest questions:

Are we alone in the universe?

Through music and imagery, students explore stars, planets, vast distances in space, and the possibility that intelligent life may exist around distant suns.

Teaching Steps

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Watch again and sing along.
  3. Discuss what the word interstellar means.
  4. Talk about how astronomers search for planets around other stars.
  5. Ask students to imagine what an interstellar friend might be like.
  6. Optional: Have students draw or write a letter to an interstellar friend.

Discussion Questions

  1. What does the word interstellar mean?
  2. How many stars are there in the Milky Way?
  3. Why do scientists think many stars may have planets?
  4. What conditions might be necessary for life?
  5. What message would you send to an interstellar friend?
  6. Why are stars so far apart?
  7. How do telescopes help us learn about space?
  8. What would it feel like to discover life elsewhere?
  9. Do you think we are alone in the universe?
  10. Why are humans so curious about the stars?

Science Connections

  • Stars are enormous balls of hot gas.
  • Our galaxy contains billions of stars.
  • Many stars have planets orbiting them.
  • Some planets may have conditions suitable for life.
  • Light takes years to travel between stars.
  • Astronomers use telescopes and spacecraft to study distant worlds.

Character Education

  • Curiosity
  • Imagination
  • Wonder
  • Open-Mindedness
  • Scientific Thinking

Moral

The universe is vast and mysterious. By asking questions and exploring, we may someday discover that we are not alone.

Extension Activities

  • Draw an alien world.
  • Write a letter to an interstellar friend.
  • Research how astronomers discover planets around other stars.
  • Make a scale model showing the enormous distances between stars.
  • Read more about Maria Mitchell and her discovery.

Teacher Note

James Bryant Conant argued that science should be taught through stories that dramatize the moment of discovery. This lesson follows that approach by combining astronomy, imagination, and the inspiring story of Maria Mitchell, showing students that science begins with curiosity and a willingness to look up and wonder.

Persistence in Science

Wright Brothers and Jane Goodall — Lesson Plan

Background for Teachers

This song comes from the musical Persistence in Science, which celebrates an important truth about scientific discovery: breakthroughs rarely happen overnight. Scientists and inventors often work for years, overcoming setbacks and disappointments before achieving success.

The song tells two inspiring stories.

The first concerns Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright, two bicycle mechanics from Dayton who spent years studying birds, building gliders, and testing ideas about flight. After many failures, they succeeded in making the first controlled powered airplane flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

The second story concerns Jane Goodall. As a young woman, she traveled to Gombe Stream National Park to observe chimpanzees in the wild. For months, the chimpanzees avoided her. But Jane patiently returned day after day until they accepted her presence. Her observations revealed that chimpanzees use tools, form close relationships, and display complex emotions.

These two stories show that whether one is trying to fly like a bird or understand animals in the forest, success often depends on patience, perseverance, and the willingness to keep trying.

Overview

A song that illustrates how persistence plays a central role in scientific discovery. Through the stories of the Wright brothers and Jane Goodall, students learn that important advances are often the result of years of observation, experimentation, and determination.

Teaching Steps

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Watch again and sing along.
  3. Discuss what the word persistence means.
  4. Compare the challenges faced by the Wright brothers and Jane Goodall.
  5. Ask students to describe a time when they kept trying and eventually succeeded.

Discussion Questions

  1. What does persistence mean?
  2. Why didn’t the Wright brothers give up after early failures?
  3. Why did Jane Goodall need to be patient?
  4. What did she discover about chimpanzees?
  5. How are bicycles and airplanes connected in the Wright brothers’ story?
  6. What do these scientists have in common?
  7. Why is persistence important in science?
  8. Can you think of a time when persistence helped you?
  9. Which story did you find most inspiring?
  10. What scientific problem would you like to solve?

Science Connections

  • Birds inspired the design of early airplanes.
  • Lift and control are essential for flight.
  • Chimpanzees use tools and solve problems.
  • Observation and experimentation are fundamental scientific methods.
  • Many discoveries require years of careful work.

Character Education

  • Persistence
  • Patience
  • Curiosity
  • Courage
  • Problem Solving

Moral

Great discoveries are often made by people who refuse to give up.

Extension Activities

  • Build and test paper airplanes.
  • Observe animal behavior and record notes.
  • Write about a personal experience involving persistence.
  • Research another scientist who overcame setbacks.

Teacher Note

James Bryant Conant emphasized that science should be taught through stories of real discovery. This lesson shows students that success in science depends not only on intelligence, but also on determination and perseverance.

The Tortoise and the Hare

Overview

A musical retelling of Aesop’s classic fable that teaches persistence, preparation, and the importance of never giving up.

Teaching Steps

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Watch again and sing along.
  3. Discuss the questions below.
  4. Optional: Have students draw the race or write about a time they kept trying.

Discussion Questions

  1. At the beginning, did you think the turtle could win? Why or why not?
  2. Did anyone tell the turtle he should give up?
  3. Did the turtle give up?
  4. What did the turtle do instead?
  5. What does “chugged along” mean?
  6. Was the hot weather a surprise?
  7. Which animal was better prepared for the heat?
  8. How did the turtle’s shell help him?
  9. Which animal depended on speed?
  10. Which animal depended on persistence?
  11. What lesson does the story teach?
  12. Can you think of a time when you succeeded by continuing to try?

Science Connections

  • Tortoises carry their own protective shell.
  • The shell provides shade and protection.
  • Rabbits are fast, but they do not carry their own shelter.
  • Animals have adaptations that help them survive.

Character Education

The story teaches that steady effort and good preparation can overcome natural advantages.

Moral

Slow and steady—and well prepared—wins the race.

Save the Whale

Overview

A song about endangered animals from around the world and the importance of protecting them and their habitats.

Teaching Steps

1. Watch the video.

2. Watch again and sing along.

3. Locate the animals and their habitats on a world map.

4. Discuss the questions below.

5. Optional: Have students create posters about endangered species.

Discussion Questions

1. What animals are mentioned in the song?

2. Which animal lives in the ocean?

3. Which animal lives in a redwood forest?

4. Which animal lives in Australia?

5. What does endangered mean?

6. Why are some animals in danger of disappearing?

7. Why is it important to protect habitats?

8. What can people do to help save endangered animals?

9. Which animal in the song would you most like to learn more about?

10. What is the main message of the song?

Animals Featured in the Song

– Owl

– Whale and calf

– California Condor

– Whooping crane

– Wolf

– Mountain gorilla

– Koala

Habitats Mentioned

– Redwood forest

– Ocean

– Australian outback

Science Connections

– Animals are adapted to different habitats.

– Some species become endangered when habitats are destroyed.

– Conservation programs can help species recover.

Geography Connections

Students can locate:

– California redwood forests

– The Pacific Ocean

– Australia

– Africa

– North America

Character Education

The song encourages respect for living things and responsibility for protecting the natural world.

Moral

We share the Earth with many remarkable animals, and it is our responsibility to help protect them.

City Dump Blues

Overview

A lively blues song about what happens to our garbage after it is thrown away. The song introduces students to landfills, recycling, and the importance of reducing waste to help protect the Earth.

Teaching Steps

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Watch again and sing along.
  3. Discuss the questions below.
  4. Optional: Have students draw a modern landfill or create posters showing ways to reduce waste.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is a city dump (or landfill)?
  2. Where does our garbage go after it is collected?
  3. Why does a landfill eventually become full?
  4. What kinds of things can be recycled?
  5. What happens if people throw away too much trash?
  6. How can we reduce the amount of garbage we produce?
  7. What is composting?
  8. Why is recycling important?
  9. What can families do to create less waste?
  10. What is the main message of the song?

Science Connections

  • Modern landfills are carefully designed to protect soil and groundwater.
  • Garbage can be reduced through recycling, composting, and reusing materials.
  • Some waste materials decompose naturally, while others last for many years.
  • Reducing waste helps conserve natural resources and energy.

Geography Connections

Students can locate:

  • Their own city or town
  • Local recycling centers
  • Nearby landfills
  • Areas where natural resources are protected

Character Education

The song encourages responsibility, conservation, and thoughtful decision-making. Students learn that small everyday choices can make a big difference for the environment.

Creative Thinking Extension

Ask students to think of five unusual uses for a common item such as:

  • An empty tin can
  • A cardboard box
  • A newspaper
  • A plastic bottle

This activity reinforces the idea that many objects can be reused rather than discarded.

The Maidu Song

Overview

A song introducing students to the Maidu people and their traditional respect for nature. The lesson emphasizes that Indigenous peoples throughout North America shared a deep understanding that humans are part of the natural world and have a responsibility to care for the Earth.

Teaching Steps

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Watch again and sing along.
  3. Ask students which Native American tribe originally lived in the area where your school is located.
  4. Explain that while this song focuses on the Maidu people of Northern California, similar beliefs about respecting the Earth were shared by many Indigenous cultures across North America.
  5. Discuss the questions below.
  6. Optional: Have students draw scenes showing people living in harmony with nature.

Discussion Questions

  1. Who are the Maidu people?
  2. What part of California did the Maidu traditionally live in?
  3. Which Native American tribe originally lived in our local area?
  4. What does the song suggest about the relationship between people and nature?
  5. Why were rivers, forests, and animals important to Indigenous peoples?
  6. What natural resources did Native peoples use for food, shelter, and clothing?
  7. How did Indigenous communities avoid wasting resources?
  8. What attitudes about the Earth were shared by many Native American tribes?
  9. What can we learn today from these traditional beliefs?
  10. What is the main message of the song?

Science Connections

  • People depend on ecosystems for food, water, shelter, and materials.
  • Sustainable living means using resources carefully and avoiding waste.
  • Healthy forests, rivers, and wildlife are essential to human survival.
  • Traditional ecological knowledge reflects careful observation of nature over many generations.

Geography Connections

Students can locate:

  • Northern California, homeland of the Maidu
  • Their own community
  • The traditional homeland of the Indigenous people of their region
  • Major rivers, mountains, and forests nearby

Social Studies Connections

  • Native American tribes developed unique cultures adapted to their environments.
  • Every region of North America was home to Indigenous peoples long before European settlement.
  • Many Native communities continue to preserve and share their traditions today.

Character Education

The song teaches gratitude, respect, stewardship, and humility. Students learn that the Earth is not merely something we use, but something we care for and protect.

Moral

The Earth provides everything we need, and people everywhere share a responsibility to live respectfully and care for the natural world.

Wrappers’ Rap — Lesson Plan

Overview

A lively rap song that encourages children to take responsibility for litter. Through a humorous parade of candy wrappers, gum wrappers, and roadside trash, students learn that every piece of litter has to go somewhere—and that keeping the Earth clean begins with individual choices.

Teaching Steps

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Watch again and rap along.
  3. Discuss where wrappers come from and where they should go.
  4. Optional: Have students conduct a schoolyard litter survey.
  5. Create posters encouraging others to dispose of trash properly.

Discussion Questions

  1. What kinds of wrappers did you see in the video?
  2. Where do wrappers belong after we finish eating?
  3. What happens when people throw trash on the ground?
  4. How can litter affect animals?
  5. Why does one small wrapper matter?
  6. What can we do to reduce litter at school?
  7. How can recycling help?
  8. What would our neighborhood look like if no one picked up trash?
  9. Why is keeping the environment clean everyone’s responsibility?
  10. What promise can you make to help protect the Earth?

Science Connections

  • Litter can be carried by wind and rain into streams and oceans.
  • Animals may mistake trash for food.
  • Some materials take many years to decompose.
  • Recycling conserves natural resources.
  • Clean environments are healthier for people and wildlife.

Character Education

  • Responsibility
  • Citizenship
  • Respect for Nature
  • Cooperation
  • Conservation

Moral

Every wrapper counts. When each person disposes of trash properly, we help keep our planet clean and beautiful.

Extension Activities

  • Organize a classroom or playground cleanup.
  • Sort trash into recyclable and non-recyclable categories.
  • Design anti-litter posters.
  • Write a new rap verse about protecting the Earth.

Teacher Note

James Bryant Conant argued that science is best taught through meaningful experiences rather than memorization alone. This song turns a familiar everyday problem—discarded wrappers—into a memorable lesson about environmental stewardship and personal responsibility.

Don’t Take Your Planet for Granted — Lesson Plan

Overview

A thoughtful and inspiring song that reminds students that our planet is a remarkable and fragile home. Through vivid images of forests, oceans, wildlife, and human communities, the song encourages children to appreciate Earth’s beauty and to take responsibility for protecting it.

Teaching Steps

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Watch again and sing along.
  3. Discuss what makes Earth special.
  4. Ask students to identify ways they can help protect the environment.
  5. Optional: Create a class poster titled “Ways We Can Care for Our Planet.”

Discussion Questions

  1. What does the phrase “Don’t take your planet for granted” mean?
  2. What are some beautiful or important parts of Earth mentioned in the song?
  3. Why is Earth sometimes called our home?
  4. What environmental problems threaten our planet?
  5. How can children help care for the Earth?
  6. Why do plants and animals depend on healthy environments?
  7. What would happen if people ignored environmental problems?
  8. Why should we think about future generations?
  9. What is one thing you can do today to help the planet?
  10. How does this song make you feel about the Earth?

Science Connections

  • Earth provides air, water, soil, and energy needed for life.
  • Ecosystems connect plants, animals, and people.
  • Pollution can damage land, water, and air.
  • Conservation helps preserve natural resources.
  • Human choices affect the health of the planet.

Character Education

  • Responsibility
  • Stewardship
  • Gratitude
  • Citizenship
  • Hope

Moral

The Earth is a precious gift. When we appreciate it and care for it, we help ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

Extension Activities

  • Write an “Earth Promise.”
  • Draw your favorite place in nature.
  • Create posters showing ways to protect the environment.
  • Research an endangered species.
  • Plant a tree or classroom garden.

Teacher Note

James Bryant Conant argued that science should be taught through meaningful stories and real-world problems rather than memorization alone. This song turns environmental science into a personal and emotional experience, helping students understand that protecting the Earth is both a scientific challenge and a moral responsibility.