Curated OER
Rainforest (Elementary, Social Studies)
Explore the rainforest with your class. Learners study the meaning of the word endangered, choose an animal to study, gather data, and discuss why the animal is in danger of extinction. This is a motivating way to have your class discuss...
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Rain Sticks
Artists of all ages construct a three-dimensional form and fill it with rice to make gentle, percussive sounds. They discover that Native South American tribesmen would harvest dead branches from cactus plants, fill them with small...
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The Poinsettia: Native Mexican Plant vs. U.S. Christmas
Young scholars compare and contrast native Mexican poinsettia plants to those marketed in the United States. They watch a PowerPoint presentation, and listen to a version of the legend of the poinsettia. Students then create a paper...
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Living in the Desert
Conduct an investigation on the plants used by the Hohokam tribe. To survive in the harsh desert environment the Hohokam used many natural resources. Learners read, research, map, and graph multiple aspects of Hohokam plant use as a...
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Deserts
Learners do various activities to explain where the United States' desert region lies in relationship to the state in which they live, become familiar with plants and animals in the Sonoran desert, and make a story map of Roadrunner...
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Pottery Traditions
Students make and decorate a replica of a North Carolina coiled pot after summarizing why archaeologists study pottery and how Indian people of North Carolina made and used coiled pottery.
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Science Methods
Students study games. In this environment activity, students discuss which games are damaging and which are not damaging to the environment by inventing games which are not harmful.
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Oklahoma Grown: Discovering Oklahoma's Agriculture
Fourth graders investigate where Oklahoma's variety of crops are harvested, and grown their own plants. A printable map and crop information guide are provided.
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Playground Mapping
Students convert their physical models of a playground from a previous lesson into a map of the playground that includes a scale and key. They examine and discuss examples of maps, view an image to map photo essay, and create a map using...
Montana State University
Everest Extremes: Biodiversity
How many animals can live in a climate as cold as Mount Everest's? Find out with a science lesson all about biodiversity. Activities include research, presentations, group work, coloring maps, and a simulation of a food web.
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Utah's Biomes
Fourth graders discover what a biome is and study biomes that are native to Utah in this series of lessons. They examine how Utah's biomes have changed over time due to the influence of the Mormon pioneers and other human populations.
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When I Was Young In Appalachia
Young scholars comapre and contrast the lifestyles of the people of the Applachian region with their own community through in-class discussions, creative projects, hands-on activities, food preservation, homemade remedies, home...
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Prairie Scavenger Hunt
Students search for a variety of items while visiting a Listening to the Prarie exhibition.
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Patterns from Nature: Learning about Australia's Aborigines Through Contemporary Art
Students examine various artworks by aborigines in Australia to discover their culture. Using the artwork, they create their own piece based on their interpretations about their culture. They answer discussion questions and share their...
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Desert Views: First Impressions
Students are introduced to primary source material and the ways in which early travelers viewed aspects of the desert environment. The lesson addresses the geography themes of location, region, and human/environment interaction.
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Presidential Trading Cards
Students research the Internet to collect data about the US Presidents. They use the data that they collect along with available technology to produce trading cards and brochures using keyboarding skills, text boxes, acquiring photos,...
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All About Chocolate
Students list chocolate items, research the internet, and more to learn about chocolate. In this chocolate lesson plan, students also read books about the cocoa beans.
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Family Heritage Cookbook
Students compare favorite family recipes. For this cultural diversity lesson, students interview family members and record favorite recipes. Students examine cultural diversity through favorite foods.
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Lives of Native Americans and Settlers
Students assess the effect of contact between the Native Americans and Europeans after 1492. They explore the lives of the early European colonists and the Native Americans living along the East Coast of North America. Lesson contains...
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India Motifs and Kalsmkari
Learners are exposed to some Indian motifs as seen in Hindu temples. A traditional folk art of Southern India is also introduced. They explore at least two principles of design and two elements of design into their work. Complete a...
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The Gift Drawings of the Shakers
Students create their own "gift drawings" that are inspired by the dreams and visions of the Shakers. In this gift drawings lesson plan, students learn the history of the Shakers, make their own drawing, and practice elements of design...
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Book: Cyprus
Young scholars, after reading Chapter 1 in the book, "Cyprus," design and create a nature journal for an imaginary trip around Cyprus. They identify animals and plants that in their minds live in Cyprus as well as describe the landscape...
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Book: Estonia
Young scholars, after reading Chapter One in the book, "Estonia," design and create a nature journal for an imaginary trip around Estonia. They include animals and plants that in their minds live in Estonia. In addition, they illustrate...
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Book: Lithuania
Students, after reading Chapter One in the book, "Lithuania," design and create a nature journal for an imaginary trip around Lithuania. They include animals and plants that live in Lithuania as well as illustrating the landscape of...