Curated OER
Bringing Illinois into the Curriculum
Students of all ages are introduced to the geography of Illinois. Depending on the grade level, they participate in different activities which allow them to discover Illinois in the past and present. They examine the animals and...
Curated OER
Current Sources of Energy to Maintain a Sustainable Future
In small groups, fourth graders identify different sources of renewable and non-renewable energy. They research the pros and cons of using each of these resources. They rank household appliances according to energy usage and efficiency....
Curated OER
Heating
Students develop the idea that heat is a form of energy which moves from hot objects to cold ones.
Curated OER
Causal Patterns in Air Pressure Phenomena
Students explore the concept of how air moves and reflect through working in groups about the scientific concept. This instructional activity is an extension to another similar instructional activity. Also students develop and draw their...
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Causal Patterns in Density Phenomena
Learners realize that density exists. They develop a mental model of density-to realize that something is going on that they cannot see to account for differences between materials.
Curated OER
Graphing Current Drug Data
Students increase understanding of the drug issue and further develop skill in graphing.
Curated OER
All The News
Students simulate newspaper critics in the topics of heat and temperature. They write a scientific critique of evidence and claims used in a newspaper article and research using KIE software. They write notes on the letter to the editor...
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The Honey Bee's Home
Students are introduced to the members and workings of a honey bee colony. They describe the structure of a comb, the day-to-day activities of honey bees, and name the four stages of bee development. They construct a honeycomb model.
Curated OER
Linking Civilizations and Personal Heritage Through Multimedia and Art
Learners explore images, symbols, and the relationship they establish with their own personal heritage. They discuss Aztec, Inca, and Maya civilizations. Students interview their family about their own personal heritage. Additional cross...
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Persuade Me
Students develop their writing skills. In this writing strategies instructional activity, students examine persuasive writing techniques on order to write persuasive mailers.
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Virtual Field Trip of Japan
Students explore Japan and Japanese culture via GoogleEarth and United Streaming Video. This instructional activity is intended for a middle-level social studies class and includes a wonderful instructional activity extension idea and a...
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Unfold the Mystery of Mold
Students research the conditions in which molds thrive. They apply the scientific method to develop a hypothesis, conduct research and test results.
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Colonial Research Fun
Students review the characteristics of the thirteen colonies. In groups, they use the internet to research one of the colonies more in depth and answer questions about it. They develop a newspaper or travel brochure to share the...
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El Amor Perfecto
Students discuss the popularity of Hispanic music in the U.S. and listen to a song and discuss the refrain. They then discuss characteristics of their perfect love/friend and develop the ability to use the subjunctive in adjective...
Scholastic
Thanksgiving Lessons Grades PreK-2
A quintessential resource for teaching an elementary unit on the first Thanksgiving addresses a variety of skills, including informational reading, critical thinking, comparing and contrasting facts, technology tools, and historical...
Curated OER
The Window
Students read a story entitled, "The Window," and discover how some cultures are rejected by others. Students write a letter expressing feelings of rejection and keep a journal of significant events in the story. Using a graphic...