Curated OER
Pre-Columbian Settlements and People
Fourth graders describe the social, political, cultural and economic life and interactions among the people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.
Curated OER
The Urban Explosion
Students investigate the uncontrolled development of the world's major cities. They define key vocabulary terms, view and discuss video excerpts, and complete a project that involves drawing a "perfect city," developing a plan to...
Curated OER
THE PLOW
Students create a time line. They research major events and advancements in the development of the plow. They describe and date at least ten major events and advancements in the development of the plow from prehistoric to present day....
Curated OER
Understanding Mayan Culture
Students study an ancient culture in Mexico whose people were called the Mayans. They compare certain aspects of Mayan culture with Ancient Egypt. They discuss why some other ancient cultures (Egypt and China) were able to survive for...
Curated OER
Down, Dung and Dirty
Students observe the changes seen in succession and the biodiversity of a community through its species richness and evenness. They create a dung culture in a clear plastic cup from horse, goat or cow dung then observe the numbers of...
Curated OER
Comparing the Impact of Multiple Uses
Students study multiple land uses and their effects on one another. They assess multiple land uses in National Forests and Grasslands and evaluate the effects of each use on all other uses. They develop a comprehensive list of human...
Curated OER
Living Organisms as Indicators of Pollutants in Fresh Water Ecosystems
Students observe the effects of pollution on living organisms. For this pollution lesson plan, students observe fresh water Hydra and look at their structures and movement. They place samples of pond and lake water on the Hydra and...
Curated OER
Hunters and Gatherers
Sixth graders participate in mapping and other activities to understand why ancient civilizations developed as they did. In this ancient civilization lesson, 6th graders recognize that there were three important climate zones and...
Curated OER
The Quicker the Better? Food Processing
Sixth graders evaluate the nutrition of various foods. In this healthy eating lesson, 6th graders discuss the processing of many common foods and what this means. Students identify and research unfamiliar ingredients in processed foods...
Curated OER
Graphing Toad/ Frog Respiration
Learners measure respiratory rates on live toads, and the effect water temperature has on their findings. In this scientific method lesson plan, students record their findings and present them in a graph, comparing the results.
Curated OER
Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson
Young scholars discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers. In this environmental lesson, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on...
Curated OER
Explore Efficient Energy Uses
In this energy learning exercise, middle schoolers explore different ways to conserve energy. They write a short description for each of the 10 methods presented.
Curated OER
Food Safety
Learners recognize that safe food preparation is important to good health. In this food safety lesson, students participate in an activity learners separate, clean, chill, and cook food safely. Students use Glo Germ to find where...
Curated OER
Mangrove Loss Faster than Land-Based Forests
Young scholars explore the reasons Mangrove forests are in jeopardy. In this lesson, students read an article that discusses specific facts on Mangrove forests, then complete numerous activities that reinforce the information, such...
Curated OER
Kansas Ponds, Lakes & Reservoirs
Students compare the ponds, lakes, and reservoirs of Kansas. In this geography lesson, students use Google Earth to research the different ponds, lakes, and reservoirs in Kansas. Students will discover that many of the bodies...
Curated OER
The Barn Owl Pellet
Seventh graders examine the factors that affect the number and types of organisms that an ecosystem can support. In this ecosystem instructional activity students study the barn owl and where it is on the food chain, then dissect...
Curated OER
A Day on the Farm
First graders, with a collection of various art supplies, plant a seed to observe it growing and record specific data on a data record sheet. They create a collage from various magazines of ten different foods farm animals eat and make a...
Curated OER
Maple Syrup Production
Students make their own maple sugar and learn about how it is made on a grander scale. In this maple sugar lesson, students make their own maple sugar and learn about evaporation and what labor is put into making it.
Curated OER
Understanding Human Population Growth
You can help students learn about the causes and consequences of our rapidly growing global population
Curated OER
Introductions to Biotechnology
Although this PowerPoint has valid information, the 49 slides may not engage your students as much as necessary. Each slide has a title and 2 or 3 bullet points, but no images or external resource links to break up the...
Curated OER
Madagascar Adventure
Middle schoolers develop photo essays on Madagascar's environmental challenges. In groups, students research and develop photo essay slide shows to explore the issues of balancing the needs of Madagascar's human population with those of...
Curated OER
Field Crops in the Agro-ecosystem
Ninth graders explore how to apply ecological analysis to cropping systems. In this agro-ecosystem lesson students study management practices including soil and fertility.
Curated OER
Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
Third graders discuss the story read to them and explain the legend of the Indian Paintbrush. They study Indian sign language of 4 different topics and create a sentence using the sign lang. they just learned.
Curated OER
Are You Thirsty? The Effects of Pollution on Drinking Water
Discuss the availability of clean, plentiful water and the causes of water pollution. In groups, sixth graders discuss problem-solving methods for keeping water clean. They explore the function of water treatment plants and perform...