Curated OER
Have to Have a Habitat
Learners create a zoological and botanical garden made up of a variety of species from around the world.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Rachel Carson and the Modern Environmental Movement
Scholars analyze the environmental movement started in the 1960s. Through excerpts from Rachel Carson's books as well as diary entries, they take a look at the reason for the modern movement to save the planet and then create final...
Curated OER
Look but Don't Touch:
Students complete a graphic organizer after identifying three interesting facts from a web site. They role play that the NASA space probe has landed on Mars where a large animal was found and they develop the important questions they...
Curated OER
Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination
Students construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider lesson, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in flight, and put on...
Curated OER
Teaching With the Power of Objects
Students define value of an object. In this value lesson plan, students identify reasons for collecting objects, compile a personal inventory of items they find valuable, and then define why those items are valuable to them. In step two...
Curated OER
Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society
Young scholars participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. ...
Curated OER
Playing Historical Detective: Great Grandmother's Dress and Other Clues to the Life and Times of Annie Steel
Students draw conclusions about an mystery person based on documents and artifacts provided. In this drawing conclusions instructional activity, students become detectives by reading and analyzing evidence provided. This instructional...
Curated OER
Dinosaurs Were Real!
Learners investigate the history of dinosaurs, as real animals. In this dinosaur lesson plan, students examine basic concepts that help them understand the history of all life. Included in this article is information on the world of the...
Curated OER
Art to Zoo: Celebration
Students research and develop a report on birthday rituals around the world. In this research lesson plan, students compare birthday rituals from other cultures to their own. Images and resources are included.
Curated OER
History Close to Home: Creating Your Own Special Museum
Students create their own museum exhibit. In this museum creation lesson plan, students research their local history so they can decide on a theme for their exhibit and what objects they will use in order to design a museum exhibit. A...
Curated OER
India: Where Remarkable Differences Are Ordinary
Students research India and Indian culture. In this Indian research lesson plan, students research and report on the lives of Indian children. The report will be in the form of a mock interview between a journalist and an Indian child....
Curated OER
Learning from Letters and Other Mail
Students explore the history of our mail system. In this postal lesson plan, students evaluate mail as a means of communication, create a mail system in their classroom where they can send and receive mail. Once the students receive...
Curated OER
Biological Flight
Students examine the many different ways that seeds fly in birds, in air, and why. In this science lesson plan, students collect seeds, learn Bernoulli's principle including lift, ailerons, elevators, drag and how to make a paper...
Curated OER
Body Parts of a Butterfly
Students identify the seven major parts of a butterfly. In this butterfly anatomy lesson, students explore three dimensional models of butterflies and discuss the anatomy. Students view a PowerPoint for the anatomical parts of a...
Curated OER
Introduction to Biology
Students participate in a variety of activities to introduce them to biology. In this biology lesson plan, students use microscopes, discover bacteria, view human anatomy, and more.
Curated OER
This One is for the Birds
Middle schoolers create a bird feeder to form their technological skills and create a better bond with nature. In this nature lesson plan, students use websites, technology, brainstorm ideas, and build models.
Curated OER
The Digital Cat-A Purrfect Solution!
Students explore anatomy through digital photography. In this digital art lesson plan, students create a portfolio of various animals and label the structures of each.
Curated OER
Baga Drum
Students examine a Baga Drum in order to explore the history of the Baga people of West Africa. In this art history lesson, students recognize figures used in Baga Drum design that represent aspects of Baga culture. They also design and...
Curated OER
Here Today. . .Gone Tomorrow
Learners observe that there are threatened and endangered bird species in Illinois, why they have been given this status and how it relates to endangered species on a worldwide basis. they participate in the Project WILD "Oh, Deer" or...
Curated OER
Side by Side: Butterfly Wings and Symmetry
Students observe butterfly images and then draw and paint their own design. They use this activity to explain symmetry.
Curated OER
Spider Poems: The Spider and the Fly
Pupils review the information they gathered on different websites to write a poem about spiders. They use other websites to gain more information if needed. They share their poem with the class.
Curated OER
The Spider and the Fly
Students incorporate the knowledge they learned about spiders on the ISM Web site, Spider Collection, and other Web sites they viewed on
spiders to write a rhyming poem (possibly choosing a poem type illustrated here) about an aspect of...
Curated OER
Chips Ahoy: Chip Off the Old Block
First graders compare and contrast adult and baby animals to identify similar characteristics shared by both.
Curated OER
Illnois River and Lake Mussel Habitat Diorama Activity
Students identify the environmental elements of river and lake mussels. They compare the elements to the time before settlement and during industrialization. They also participate in a field trip to a mussel exhibit.