Matter Mysteries

A comprehensive teacher professional development and model lesson plan sequence. It equips educators with hands-on mineral testing protocols, inquiry-based (3D) NGSS teaching strategies, geological vocabulary support, and formative assessment tools for grades 4-8.

An introductory reading comprehension and science lesson about sharks for second-grade students, featuring PEC-style visual supports and a cooperative matching board game.

A 1-page fictional reading passage for second graders. Tells the story of Finley, a young Great White Shark who gets lost chasing a shiny fish and uses his ocean senses to find his family, supported by PEC graphics and reflection questions.

An interactive, highly visual ecosystem unit designed for 7th/8th grade MCAS standards but adapted to a 4th-grade reading and comprehension level. The unit explores abiotic/biotic factors, energy flow, interactions, and disruptions through hands-on activities, adapted readings, visual slides, and scaffolded assessments.

A highly engaging vocabulary lesson where students master key ecosystem and habitat terms through interactive pairing games and hands-on sentence completion.

A 1-page teacher reference document containing the answer keys for the reading comprehension handout, correct solutions for the cut-and-paste board game, and guided speaking questions.

A highly visual 4-day science unit exploring ocean habitats and depth zones. Tailored for differentiated instruction for 3rd grade and nonverbal 7th grade students using Boardmaker-style symbols, color-coded matching, and visual check comprehension.

An introductory STEM and cooperative learning lesson where students work in teams to save Sam, a gummy worm stranded on a capsized boat, using only paperclips to retrieve and equip his life preserver.

A 2-page cut-and-paste matching board game. Page 1 contains the beautiful, marine-themed game board with empty slots for partners to complete. Page 2 provides the illustrated, dotted-line cutout cards for names, characteristics, and PEC symbols.

A comprehensive elementary/middle school astronomy unit exploring the predictable patterns of Earth and sky. Students investigate why constellations change seasonally and decode the predictable cycle of lunar phases through hands-on models, observations, and guided inquiry.

A lesson designed to guide students through the fundamental stages of scientific inquiry using tactile, color-coded hex cards to map, sort, and collaborate on scientific investigations.

A 2-page reading comprehension handout for second graders. Page 1 contains a simplified informational passage about four sharks with integrated PEC-style visual cards. Page 2 features comprehension questions supported by PEC helpers (Yes, No, True, False, Who).