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John Jones and the Fight to Repeal the Black Laws
Middle schoolers examine the role of John Jones and his fight to repeal the Black Laws of Illinois. Using the text of the law, they explore his reasoning for repealing the laws and the arguments he used to support his beliefs. They draw...
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Living Under the Illinois Black Codes
Students use the text of the Illinois Black Codes to examine the laws in place. Using this information, they draw their own conclusions about why the laws existed in a free state. They also identify the purpose of these laws and how they...
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What Can I Do?
Students identify their feelings and examine constructive ways of handling conflict. In this conflict lesson students discuss how to communicate their feelings and resolve conflicts.
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Displaying Populations: Jellybeans, Paper and People
Students investigate the factors affecting population growth. In this biology lesson, students collect data from the lab and graph them. They estimate population size using a mathematical formula.
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Gravity: A Relatively Heavy Subject
Students examine planetary movement and its relation to the tide.In this gravity lesson students describe how and why the high and low tides change every day.
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Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Heredity
Tenth graders discuss their physical features, and why they look the way they do. They listen as the teacher discusses DNA, alleles, and dominant or recessive genes. Students perform an experiment with different colored markers...
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In His Own Words: James Madison On the Problem of Faction
Students are introduced to the writings of James Madison and explain why he is often called "The Father of the Constitution". Using primary source documents, they examine his view of the Bill of Rights and what he meant by faction. In...
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World Geography: Global Interdependence
Students are able to discuss the theory of climate change. They identify examples of how climate change impacts the earth's geo-spheres. Students are able to use the example of climate change to describe the interdependence of the...
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Dietary Supplements and the Chemistry of Life
Learners study the effects of dietary supplements on bodily functions. In this health lesson students calculate their caloric needs and research dietary supplements.
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The Ultimate Punishment
Students discover information about the death penalty debate. They explore the history of the death penalty and how it has changed over time. They examine supporting and opposing viewpoints of the issue.
Michigan Sea Grant
Invasive Species
Learners identify invasive species to the Great Lakes and analyze their impact on the ecosystem. Using photo cards with pictures and facts, young scientists work in small groups to match invasive species with their corresponding...
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Depth Line
Students use adding machine tape to plot increasing ocean depths and deep sea historical events.
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Insects: Bug Off
Students design and conduct an experiment to test three organic pesticides to control ants. They view a video that demonstrates ant behavior and the role of pesticides in insect control. In small groups, they set up behavior...
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Living or Non-Living
Students examine living and non-living things. In this life science instructional activity, students are given a group of objects and discuss if they are living or non-living. Students identify and list characteristics of living things.
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Maple Syrup Production
Students make their own maple sugar and learn about how it is made on a grander scale. For this maple sugar lesson, students make their own maple sugar and learn about evaporation and what labor is put into making it.
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Foods and Languages of the World
Students study world cultures with an emphasis on languages and cultures. In this world cultures lesson, students study the countries of Spain, China, Italy, and the United States. Students read the story Everybody Cooks Rice and move...
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Keeping Watch on Coral Reefs
Students investigate the dangers Coral Reefs face by investigating satellite images. In this environmental protection lesson, students utilize the Internet to discover the types of satellites and sensors used to provide oceanographic...
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Reformation Simulation
Learners discover the Medieval reformation. In this ethics lesson, students simulate council and government bodies to determine responses to various opinions regarding religion and ethics. They determine what postilions to take and why...
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Surface Area and Measuring
Tenth graders explore volume and surface area through percentages. For this geometry lesson, 10th graders analyze the surface area of two and three dimensional shapes, then use percents and ratio to compare the two.
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Bison on the Plains
Fifth graders explore U.S. geography by reading assigned text about American Indians. In this migration lesson, 5th graders identify the differences between Native Americans and European settlers who traveled through middle America in...
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Making Soap
Students explore what chemical indicators are and use pH paper to determine if something is alkaline or basic. In this pH lesson students manufacture their own soap.
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Energetic Energy: A Child?s Guide to Responsible Energy Use
Students explore how energy transforms into heat. In this energy instructional activity students create models and find a need for fuel to make a Stirling engine.
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Stone Tool Scavenger Hunt
Students use the internet to research the various types of stone tools used by natives. Using this information, they create a chart describing each tool and its usage. In groups, they share their charts with others and answer...
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Gaia: The Wisdom of the Earth
Learners are introduced to Gaia theory of natural homeostasis. They graph Earth's temperatures over time, construct terrariums or monitor the outdoor environment. Related videos titles are suggested, but may be outdated. The objectives...