Life Lab Science
Unit Downloads
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 While these units are outdated, they continue to provide wonderful inspiration.
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.
Investigate the concepts of diversity and cycles while studying the differences among organisms. Themes include: plant life, soil, weather, and garden creatures.
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.
Investigate concepts such as: garden tools as simple machines, structure and function of plant parts, garden animals, and soil.
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.
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 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
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
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
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
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
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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: Module 5 – Light Interactions Pages 10-11
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