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Cells
Seventh graders look up pictures of viruses or pictures of models of viruses. Using pipe cleaners, beads, Styrofoam or other available materials make models of these shapes. They then observe a demonstration to show the effect of Tobacco...
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Hunger/ Nutrition
Seventh graders investigate nutrients and nutrition to determine what types of food the body needs for energy. They study each type of nutrient and why it is important to the body. They determine what a balanced diet is by completing the...
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Photosynthesis
Sixth graders are introduced to the process of photosynthesis by discussion and then by participating in an experiment. They then answer questions as independent practice project.
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Dinosaurs 1: Where Are the Dinosaurs?
Students explore dinosaurs. In this dinosaur identification activity, students watch video clips for different dinosaurs from the Discovery Kids website. Students discuss the clips with their teacher. Students may then role play the...
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Water 1: Water and Ice
Students investigate water in its solid and liquid form. In this states of matter lesson, students experiment to see what happens as water goes from a solid, ice, to a liquid, water, and back again. They write about and illustrate the...
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Sampling Rocks
Learners study rocks they find on the playground. In this investigative lesson students collect and analyze rocks they find and answer questions about them.
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A Global Water Crisis
Students study the contamination of drinking water and what human activities play a role in it. For this environment lesson students complete worksheets and complete a lab activity.
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Seasons
First graders create a KWL chart about the four seasons. In this four seasons lesson plan, 1st graders continue the chart by watching videos and drawings.
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Bears/Hibernation
Students study the hibernation process of bears through the making of a bear's cave.
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Mammoth Extinction
Students explore various hypotheses concerning the extinction of the woolly mammoth.
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Give Me Five at Christmas Time
Learners study about senses by taking a walking field trip, creating a word bank, reading a story and singing a song.
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America's Pastime
Students relate Newton's Laws of Motion to the game of baseball. They compare and contrast the materials used in baseballs that could affect their performance. They also determine how friction can be increased or decreased in a ballpark.
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Waddle You Know About Penguins
Second graders study the similarities and differences of the seventeen species of penguins. They investigate habitats and how these habitats are suited to each species characteristics. They see how animals adapt to their environments.
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Riding the Gravity Wave
Students write a sketch of an artist or athlete that has pushed the limits on gravity. They explore concepts of rhythm, balance and friction. They examine how engineers design sports equipment.
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Atomic structure - Historical background
Students use the Internet to research the development of the discovery of the atom. They create an essay, PowerPoint presentation and a story line on the subject.
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Ph-ocusing on Photosynthesis In and Out of the Garden
Students are introduced to the concept of photosynthesis. As a class, they brainstorm a list of what they already know about plants and individually grow a plant on their own in the classroom. They record their observations daily and...
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From Seeds to Plants
Second graders review the process of plant reproduction and the role of seeds in that process. The students dissect a seed, analyze their finds, collect and record data, and make predictions about seed germination and plant growth.
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Outer Space Creature
Students read poems by Shel Silverstein about planets and outer space. As a class, they compare and contrast his descriptions to actual facts which have been discovered through explorations. They write a description of an outer space...
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Frogs and Camouflage
Students view a variety of pictures of frogs and discuss camouflage and habitat adaptation. Students look at color, skin texture, shape, size, eyes, and surroundings as well as the need for the camouflage. Students then design a frog...
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Penguins
Students are immersed in the experience of finding facts and experiences surrounding the concept of penguins. They Go to Banners homepage to read about penguins and then use Kidspiration to conduct a KWL web. Then students complete an...
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It's Getting Hot out Here! Should I be concerned? (Climate Change)
Middle schoolers explore the effects of global warming. They examine the differences between weather and climate. After viewing a video, students summarize information on climate change and drought.
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Please Turn Up the Lights!
Eighth graders discuss series and parallel circuits and design an investigation to test a hypothesis on total resistance of series and parallel circuits in combination. After discussion, groups design their experiments, run tests, and...
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DNA in a "Snap"
Students observe a model of DNA and answer probing questions like, "What does this model represent?" They then work in small groups to construct an accurate model of DNA per rubric provided and present to the class explaining their model...
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Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats
Second graders construct a pond habitat in the classroom using a small swimming pool partially filled with water, real cattails, a tree log adjoining, and plastic animal life appropriate to a pond setting. They examine the frog in detail...