University of Minnesota
Dendritic Spines Lab
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
Curated OER
Puberty/Adolescence, Day 2: "Who AM I? Where Am I Going?"
A great unit! There is a lot of content that is personal so make sure you have created a safe zone in your classroom before doing this lesson. It will have much more meaning if your learners share their life with others in the class....
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The Use of Myths in Science
Students are told stories, myths and legend to explain their world. After telling the tales and discussion them, students are assigned to write a myth that describes a familiar situation, such as why the school garbage cans are always...
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The Use of Myths in Science
Young scholars examine folk tales to determine the basis for scientific myths. They demonstrate through the discussion of the folk tales that the perception of the world has changed as new information is gained. They write their own...
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What is Science?
Students explore physical science by conducting a plant experiment. In this scientific method lesson plan, students discuss questions scientists ask in order to properly explore certain subjects. Students utilize two plants and place one...
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The Physical Geography of Southeast Asia
Students access information from the Destination Indonesia Web site to explore the island nation of Indonesia. They answer four questions and then write two full-page journal entries about one or more travel destinations in Indonesia.
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Physics Wiki
Young scholars write text, notes, outlines, comments, and observations that demonstrate comprehension and synthesis of content, processes, and experiences from a variety of media in this lesson created for a Physics classroom. The main...
The New York Times
Stress Less: Understanding How Your Mind and Body Respond to Anxiety
What could be more relevant to teens and preteens than experiencing stress? Use an article from the New York Times website to practice valuable Common Core skills for informational text reading, and also get a discussion going in your...
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Photosynthesis
Students recognize the importance of plants as they perform an experiment involving photosynthesis. Students determine the optimum wavelength of light for photosynthesis by exposing plants to different colors of light, collecting data,...
Learning for Justice
Beauty is Skin Deep
If you are in need of a instructional activity on tolerance or the impact of media, this plan could be useful. The class begins with a brainstorming session in which they reflect on their own experiences with bias based on appearance....
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Picture This
A unique writing lesson, this plan begins with learners talking about multiculturalism in small groups. Each learner will choose a picture from a newspaper, describe it to their small group, and think about how it relates to...
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Immigration Unit
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
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Le Grand Voyage
Eighth graders work in collaborative groups to research a country of their choosing. Groups use the internet to their country and plan a trip to that location. Students complete a multi-media presentation of their country, following a...
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Building Bridges for Young Learners- School
Students examine the purpose of education. For this schooling lesson, students read a letter from a child in Uzbekistan. Students compare and contrast their schooling to children around the world.
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Maurie Japarta Ryan, Oral History Analysis
Students research Australian History as it relates to the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. In this Maurie Japarta Ryan lesson, students apply specific skills pertaining to...
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To See or Not to See: The Colors of Light
Seventh graders describe and conduct an experiment that identifies the physical properties of light. They explore sources of visible light and an electromagnetic spectrum. Students explain the conversion of one form of energy to another.
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Metal Composition & the U.S. Mint
Learners study the meaning, symbolism, and value of U.S. coins,
especially the quarter. Theyresearch why in 1965 the U.S. Mint decided to
change the metal composition of the quarter to copper coated with nickel.
In addition, they perform...
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Geography and Technology: Think the World of Your Community
Students recognize the meaning of the word community, the historical development of communities in Nebraska and the impact that technology has had and continue to have on the creation and growth of communities.
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Exploring Learned and Innate Behavior
Young scholars explore the differences between learned and innate behavior among humans and monkeys. They complete an assignment and read articles about two studies, which used similar test methods to show that infants and monkeys share...
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Creating Civic Awareness Through Artistic and Literary Forms
Interpret current events using editorial cartoons and other print media. Middle schoolers explore the meanings of literary and artistic terms such as satire, irony, and caricature. They visit internet sites to develop an understanding of...
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Things Are Heating Up!
Third graders study how heat is produced from mechanical and electrical machines and human activities.
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Uncharted Territory
Pupils examine what were preconceived perceptions of the areas Lewis and Clark explored. They compare and contrast past and modern maps of North America. They accurately place route and site information on the map.
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Self-esteem Builder
Students recognize and acknowledge each other's strengths as well as becoming more aware of their own through this activity. They write positive comments about each other and turn them into positive paragraphs.