Unit Plan
Curated OER

Not Your Grandma's Music: A Lesson in Music History

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students experience and discuss the different musical periods such as Baroque, Classical and Romantic. In this music lesson, students discover musical theory and apply it to the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. Students will...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geo Jammin' By Design - Day 7, Lesson 38: Kool Cups

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Create geometric cups by interpreting directions, informational text, and mathematical concepts. Critical thinkers apply geometric theory (congruent shapes, patterns, symmetry) to actual directions to create a cup that holds Kool Aid....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Historical Perspectives

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders watch episodes of Star Trek and analyze the works of it that pertain to the theory of relativity.  In this creative lesson students also write and illustrate a children's book about the special theory of relativity.
Lesson Plan
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The Lorax Explorations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and debate the purpose of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, analyze its story elements, and write their own The Lorax II.
Lesson Plan
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Banners with a Message II

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students study the work of Keith Haring to explore how art can make social statements. They use a phrase with a positive theme and create an image that depicts the theme, in the Keith Haring style. They work collaboratively to create the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structure of the Earth

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the forces that are constantly acting on the Earth. They describe the theory of tectonic plates and demonstrate the two kinds of earthquake waves. They also examine the role of volcanoes in the structure of the...
Lesson Plan
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What if Amelia Earhart had Turned Around?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students discuss an article in USA Today in which Gregg Zoroya proposes his theory about what happened to Amelia Earhart.  In this reading comprehension and Amelia Earhart lesson, students read an article in USA Today that...
Lesson Plan
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"I've Been Working on the Railroad" - Federal Land Grants and the Construction of the Illinois Central Railroad in Mid-nineteenth Century Illinois

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders, in groups, design a self-sufficient community. Groups present the communities they've designed. They compare and contrast the communities presented. They research the theories of Johann Heinrich von Thunen online and...
Lesson Plan
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Inquiry: Rudolfo Anaya and James Baldwin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate three works by the author James Baldwin. They work in groups to research the author and create a website based on the research.
Lesson Plan
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Simple Harmonic Motion with Dr. DAQ

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students study the work and accomplishment of Galileo. In this physics lesson plan, students calculate the period of a pendulum's using a mathematical equation. They explain the different factors affecting its period.
Lesson Plan
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The Sun in Our Lives

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify the different parts of the sun. In this astronomy lesson plan, 3rd graders examine how the sun's energy drive life processes on Earth. They construct a model of a solar system using large rolls of toilet paper.
Lesson Plan
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Contact Angle. Interfacial Tension and Wetting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the contact angle of water on different surfaces. In this physics lesson, students calculate their percent error using a mathematical formula. They explain the advantages of using non-wetting surface for certain...
Unit Plan
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Africa: Small Sounds From a Big Country

For Teachers 8th
Students explore the music from Burundi, Zimbabwe, and Pygmy cultures. They listen to and discuss music from the African cultures, analyze the musical elements, write a song, and perform music.
Unit Plan
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Olympic Games - Can You Measure Up?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students complete 6 units to learn about Ancient Greece and the Olympic games through physical education activities as well as math activities. In this Ancient Greece lesson, students complete multiple activities in 6 lessons including...
Unit Plan
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Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book (Part I, The 5Ws of the Constitution)

For Teachers 2nd
Students develop their own social studies textbook using a blank theme book as they complete activities and learning experiences throughout the year. The activities are in art, music, simulations, read alouds, shared writing and a class...
Lesson Plan
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Half Life Lab

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders model radioactive decay using pennies, collect data from their model, apply scientific visualization techniques to their data and create animated models explaining the concept of radioactive half-life.
Lesson Plan
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Build a Precipitation Gauge

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students build a precipitation gauge. In this weather lesson, students follow step-by-step directions to build a precipitation gauge that can be used to measure snowfall.
Lesson Plan
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Close Up and Far Away

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students use magnifiers and telescopes to view things close up. For this magnifiers and telescopes lesson plan, students use the tools to identify things that are close and far away. Students tell details of things they can see closer.
Lesson Plan
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 1st
First graders discuss work, force, and energy. They study how work is done. Students discuss various types of work that are done. They act out how work is done. Student draw pictures of types of work they have done.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Animal Habitats: Winter Changes

For Teachers K
Students explore animals during the winter months. They discuss the changes that animals make during winter in order to survive. Students discuss migration, hibernation, and staying active during winter months. Students create various...
Lesson Plan
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Plate Tectonics: Recycling the Seafloor

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students classify earth's layers and plates using Ocean Seismicity data. In this plate tectonics lesson, students outline where the plate boundaries are on the world map. They then compare these predicted boundaries with USGS map of the...
Unit Plan
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Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book (Part I, The 5Ws of the Constitution)

For Teachers 3rd
Students study the United States Constitution and create a year-long cumulative activity for social studies. In this social studies lesson, students complete activities throughout the year to learn the 5Ws for the United States...