Life Lab Science - Archived Unit Downloads - K-5 Garden-Based Curriculum from the 1990s
In the 1990s, Life Lab Science offered teacher friendly, hands-on units that children could dig into! Recognized by the Smithsonian Institute as an “outstanding curriculum,” Life Lab Science was a core curriculum which integrated earth, life, and physical science concepts within the context of a Living Laboratory school garden. Inquiry-oriented lessons, both outdoors and in the classroom, encouraged students to ask questions and explore multiple solutions. Unit topics, such as soil, water, weather, plants, and animals used a developmental approach based on students’ prior knowledge. Assessment were embedded in the activities and extensions were included. While these units are outdated, they continue to provide wonderful inspiration.
Life Lab Science was written to align with previous national science standards. We have grouped the following units in their original grade level band. These suggested grade levels may or may not align with your current grade level content.
Each unit download includes a letter to parents to prepare for the unit, a song, multiple lessons, and appendices/lab pages in English and Spanish.
$2 per Unit - PDF Download
For more updated science lessons aligned to Next Generation Science Standards, visit: lifelab.org/ngsscurriculum/
Browse our Life Lab Science Units
Great Explorations
Originally Written for Kindergarten
Use your senses as built-in tools for exploration of the physical properties of soil, water, plants, garden animals, and more. Culminate units of study with garden celebrations.
Earth is Home
Originally Written for First Grade
Investigate the concepts of diversity and cycles while studying the differences among organisms. Themes include: plant life, soil, weather, and garden creatures.
Change Around Us
Originally Written for Second Grade
Observe and investigate the concept of change by measuring the conditions that affect living and non-living things such as plants, water, food chains, resource conservation, and air.
How Things Work
Originally Written for Third Grade
Investigate concepts such as: garden tools as simple machines, structure and function of plant parts, garden animals, and soil.
Connections
Originally Written for Fourth Grade
Explore the interactions and physical properties of a habitat or ecosystem while applying the skills necessary for science investigation of water, nutrient cycles, food webs, and light. 4th grade consists of 8 modules with lab pages and a teacher guide.
Change Over Time
Originally Written for Fifth Grade
Study the adaptations and evolution of living organisms and their interactions with climate, soil, plants, animals, and seasons. 5th grade consists of 8 modules with lab pages and a teacher guide.
“I am a scientist have a Ph.D in molecular/microbiology, but I am a mom first. When I came to my son’s 2nd grade class and found that the ‘science’ kids were doing consisted of making dinosaur dioramas, I knew the school needed to do more. I wanted elementary school students to be exposed to true, hands-on science. I chose Life Lab to fill the void because the science was sound. The Life Lab program provides true experiments for students and inspires in them a love of science. ”
Life Lab Science Hardcopy K-5 Curriculum
We have limited hardcopy available for sale. Before purchasing at our store inquire about inventory by emailing store@lifelab.org
Life Lab Science is garden-based and grade level specific (K-5). Teacher instructional manuals include pre- and post-assessment, unit planners, parent letters, and suggested connections to language arts, math, and social studies. View the complete curriculum (K-5) Scope and Sequence to learn how each unit of Life Lab Science supports science process skills and life, earth and physical science concepts.
Grade level sampler packets are linked to from grade level descriptions below.
First grade – third grade curriculum is sent with one copy of the lab book. Fourth and fifth grade curriculum comes with lab pages in their appendices.
Additional Lab Books for grades first – third and Spanish Blackline Masters for all grade levels may be purchased separately. View sample Spanish Lab Book pages.
Download Life Lab Science lesson matrix that links science lessons to gardening skills.
Adopting a garden-based science program at your school? Have Life Lab train your teachers. Life Lab has trained tens of thousands of teachers in over 1,500 locations. Learn more about Life Lab Science Curriculum Teacher Workshops
Great Explorations – Kindergarten
Use your senses as built-in tools for exploration of the physical properties of soil, water, plants, garden animals, and more. Culminate units of study with garden celebrations.
Kinder Black Line Master, mostly consists of parent letters – 10 pages
Earth is Home – First Grade Teacher Resource Manual
Investigate the concepts of diversity and cycles while studying the differences among organisms. Themes include: plant life, soil, weather, and garden creatures.
1st Grade Blackline Master – parent letter and student lab book worksheets – 104 pages
Change Around Us – 2nd Grade Teacher Resource Manual
Observe and investigate the concept of change by measuring the conditions that affect living and non-living things such as plants, water, food chains, resource conservation, and air.
2nd Grade Black Line Master – parent letter and student lab book worksheets – 118 pages
How Things Work – 3rd Grade Teacher Resource Manual
Investigate concepts such as: garden tools as simple machines, structure and function of plant parts, garden animals, and soil.
3rd Grade Black Line Master – parent letter and student lab book worksheets – 190 pages
Connections – 4th Grade Module Set
Explore the interactions and physical properties of a habitat or ecosystem while applying the skills necessary for science investigation of water, nutrient cycles, food webs, and light. 4th grade consists of 8 modules with lab pages and a teacher guide.
4th Grade Black Line Master – parent letter and student lab book worksheets – 300 pages
It has come to our attention that in some copies of 4th Grade Module 5 – Light Interactions, pages 10-11 were missing. We are sorry about this. Find these pages here: Pages 10-11
Change Over Time – 5th Grade Module Set
Study the adaptations and evolution of living organisms and their interactions with climate, soil, plants, animals, and seasons. 5th grade consists of 8 modules with lab pages and a teacher guide.
5th Grade Black Line Master – parent letter and student lab book worksheets – 268 pages
