Center for History and New Media
Slavery and Free Negroes, 1800 to 1860
What was life like for enslaved and free black people before the American Civil War? Explore the building tension between states and the freedom of individuals with a thorough social studies lesson. Learners of all ages explore primary...
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Characteristics of Living Things
Student use the scientific method to experiment with worms. In this characteristics of living things lesson, learners predict and examine the reactions of worms to dry and wet soil. Students share their findings.
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What did I find?
Learners excavate an artifact. In this archaeology lesson, students get a bucket filled with dirt and a broken up artifact. They work in groups to take it out and to find what its purpose was.
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Scientific Method
Start your school year in science with these activities and worksheets related to the scientific method.
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True Tales of Adventure for Young Part 3
Students explore the Passageways website. They read to compare and contrast the motivations and accomplishments of two explorers.
Michigan Sea Grant
Wetlands
Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...
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Go, West, Pack Light!
Learners investigate the hardships related to pioneer life and the Wagon Train. They listen to an excerpt from the book "Little House on the Prairie," and discuss the hardships faced by pioneers travelling west. In small groups...
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Handling Data: Representing Date - Online Version
Here is an online lesson plan on data representation. In it, learners access websites embedded in the plan which lead them through a variety of activities around data representation and statistics. The activities are quite good, and...
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Current Sources of Energy to Maintain a Sustainable Future
In small groups, fourth graders identify different sources of renewable and non-renewable energy. They research the pros and cons of using each of these resources. They rank household appliances according to energy usage and efficiency....
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Friar Margil & The Spanish Missions
Students explore the life of Friar Margil de Jesus as well as other Spanish friars. They research Friar Margil and write a paragraph explaining why Spanish friars came to Texas. In groups, students create a PowerPoint presentation...
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Friar Margil and the Spanish Missions
Fourth graders investigate the life of Friar Margil. In this research instructional activity, 4th graders analyze an illustration of Friar Margil, then create their own illustration of Friar Margil's life. A list of 5 materials is included.
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Protecting the Past: Give a Hoot, Don't Loot
Young scholars discuss the looting and vandalism of various archeological sites. In pairs, they read and complete a worksheet and review their answers as a class. In groups, they role play a artifact preservation skit and perform it to...
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Sound, Heat, and Light
In this sound, heat, and light worksheet, students fill in a KWL chart for what they know, what they want to know, and what they learned about sound, heat, and light. Students complete 3 sections in the graphic organizer.
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Solving Mysteries!
Students solve a mystery. In this lesson on journalism, students learn how writing an article is like solving a mystery by answering the 5 "W" questions. Students solve a mystery provided to them on an attached worksheet.
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Student Designed Investigations Part 2 – Testable Questions, Predictions, Materials and Procedures
Learners create their own investigations. In this science experiments lesson, students use the steps of the scientific method to design an investigation. Learners share their findings on a poster.
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True Tales of Adventure for Young Part 1
Students explore the Passageways website. The lesson leads students through the website and requires that they read to find answers to a series of questions. Students study some of the general aspects of exploration, as well as the terms...
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Adapting a Fairy Tale
Students read and prepare a new oral version of a selected fairy tale. They read and compare/contrast two fairy tales and identify the main story elements. In small groups they create a new oral version of one they fairy tales and...
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Air Pollution
Students identify the causes and effects of air pollution and how to reduce air pollution.
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Local Traffic Survey
Students conduct a traffic survey and interpret their data and use graphs and charts to display their results.
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Continents And Islands
Students engage in a literature study in order to address the concept of exploring the culture of Puerto Rico. The instructional activity looks at the culture through the eyes of two children. This helps students to connect to the...
University of New Mexico
Lesson Plans and WebQuests
Young scholars review an overview of mediation techniques and listening skills. They practice good listening skills which are needed for the mediation process and discuss icebreakers in pairs to better utilize good listening skills.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Air is All Around You
Pupils investigate the mysteries of air. In this science lesson, students participate in hands-on activities that require them to use the scientific inquiry model to study air.
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Molly's Pilgrim and Thanksgiving Activities
The tender story of Molly's Pilgrim, coupled with a history mini-lesson, is a great way to discuss the meaning of Thanksgiving.
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Simply Circuitry and Series Circuit
Learners investigate a series circuit. In this physical science lesson, students use a battery, switch, and light bulbs to build an electrical circuit. Learners identify the standard symbols being used in electric circuitry.