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Investigative Journalism
Students choose newsworthy topics to research and investigate, narrow focus of investigation, get information from the source through interviews, write stories, and submit to media outlets.
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Jazz and Math: Rhythmic Innovations
Students watch a segment of the PBS Ken Burns JAZZ documentary about Buddy Bolden creating the "Big Four." They compare and contrast the rhythms of marches and jazz based on the examples in the film, and explore notation, subdivision of...
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Who am I and Why?
Students make comparisons about themselves and others, which are real and meaningful. They study some basic concepts in the area of genetics and do a complimentary series of experiments, or explorations that illustrate these concepts
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Organic and Inorganic Recycling
Students examine their role in polluting the environment and discuss the importance of recycling. In groups, they place earthworms into compost piles to observe why they are considered natural recyclers. They also practice sorting a...
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Naming the Clouds
Fourth graders examine how water condenses into clouds and identify the different types of clouds using the same system devised over 200 years ago. They listen to a book about clouds, and create a Cloud Key. Next, they record their...
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Planning a Service Project
Young scholars begin the instructional activity by discussing what type of project they are interested in and how much time can be devoted. They also discuss why it is important to focus on the community and are introduced to the...
National First Ladies' Library
A Crippling Cough: Tuberculosis on a Rampage
Students use problem solving skills to examine symptoms, causes, and treatment of tuberculosis in modern times and in early 1900s. Students read patient case, work in teams to diagnose illness, and conduct Internet research to confirm...
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MS Word Skills Assessment
Students are assessed on their use of the Microsoft Word program. In this word processing assessment, students are asked to complete a list of tasks in the Microsoft Word program to determine their knowledge of the program.
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The Ditionary Trick
In this secondary mathematics worksheet, learners investigate a riddle involving the use of the dictionary and subtraction of three digit numbers. The one page worksheet contains one problems with an explanation of why the trick...
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18th Century Microscope
Students examine a microscope from the 18th century. In this microscope lesson, students investigate how it works, what it was used for and how the tool has evolved through the years. Students also build knowledge on how compound...
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Patriotic Music: Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue
Learners examine the patriotic songs of the 1940's and compare them to those of today. They identify elements that classify a song as patriotic, listen to several examples and complete Venn diagrams contrasting different examples.
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Graphing Linear Equations
Ninth graders develop an understanding of and the applications for linear equations and their graphical displays. They participate in a cooperative learning activity of matching a graphic display with an equation.
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The Black Plague: International Insects
Sixth graders research conditions that caused 16th Century Black Plague and led to downfall of Europe, and examine causes and effects of population density, disease, and invention.
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Signature History
Learners review the meaning and application of primary and secondary sources in research. They determine how researchers locate primary source documents before looking at signatures as a validating factor on many primary sources....
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Mr. Pitonyak's Pyramid Puzzle
Students determine how much it would cost to build a pyramid using modern materials and ancient methods. They design scale drawings, models and submit final cost bids in an attempt to get the job of building a pyramid.
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Tansai Sumi Painting
First graders study Japanese art and apply the technique of Tansai Sumi (lightly colored) to create individual works of art. Painting, design, lines, and drawing techniques are covered in this 1st grade lesson plan.
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Abrupt Climate Change
Students explore how scientific knowledge changes in the context of abrupt climate change. They are introduced to some recent ideas about abrupt climate change. This gives them a glimpse into how scientific theories are formed and...
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Reduce, Re-use, Recycle
Young scholars determine the importance of recycling to reduce waste, to employ trash in useful ways, and to save the environment. They estimate the percentages of landfill waste that items constitute, based on what they found in their...
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I Went Walking
Students take pictures. In this nature walk lesson, students read I Went Walking and brainstorm a list of things they might see on a nature trail. Students take pictures of things they see on the nature trail, write a caption for each...
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Design an Instrument
Learners design an instrument. For this sound, vibration and pitch lesson, students learn about the characteristics of sound, vibration and pitch. Learners design a guitar using the assembled craft materials and demonstrate how...
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Water, Water, Everywhere!
Students complete a WebQuest. In this water cycle lesson, students investigate the cycle through a WebQuest activity. Students research the water cycle through Internet resources and create a documentary video of their process.
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"Sadako And The Thousand Paper Cranes" Literature Study
Students learn about the legacy of Sadako Sasaki, the atomic bomb, and history through a nonfiction literature study.
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No is No, Si is Yes
Third graders match the body part words in Spanish to a picture. They receive a picture of a human with lines coming from its feet, hands, and arms. Students use a word bank, to write the Spanish word that corresponds to the picture. ...
National First Ladies' Library
Movies for a Nickel! The Nickelodeon
Students identify and participate in this activity to identify and learn about the early history of the film industry, and consider the impact of movies on society ever since. Then they use the websites listed to study various aspects of...