Curated OER
The Mussels Are Coming
Students work together to identify and describe the various types of mussels. Using a color-coded system, they plot the arrival date of zebra mussels in North American waters. They discuss the increase in their population with the class.
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Rock River Watershed
Students discover what a watershed is and which one they live in. Using the internet, they research why watersheds are important to an ecosystem and how to keep them from getting polluted. They use a map to locate various items within a...
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Wetlands Field Trip
Seventh graders used aquatic nets and other equipment to sample organisms in the lake -made plaster casts of footprints found around the edges of the lake -used reference materials to identify all organisms collected -filled out an...
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Variations in Growth and Reproduction of Recently Transplanted Prairie Forbes and Grasses
students recognize and name prairie plants without the use of a key. they determine that prairie plants have different life cycles that affect their rate of growth and reproduction
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Tree Cookies
Students identify heartwood, sapwood, and a tree's annual rings, infer from a tree's rings what damage or stress might have occurred in its life, and make a time-line of human history that coincides with a tree's rings.
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Bird Seed Mining
Students search through the seed mixture and separate out our "mine" beads, sunflower seeds, and other grain products, making piles of each. students count up the number of gold, silver, and blue beads, and sunflower seeds from their piles
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Geology Rocks
Middle schoolers discuss information relating to Illinois geology. They examine top mineral resources in Illinois to find detailed information about geodes and where they can be found. Students complete geode lab to explore external...
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Exploring the History of the I&M Canal
Learners examine the building of the I & M canal in Chicago. Using the internet, they research the lives of the individuals who worked on the construction and develop a timeline of events. They explore the impact of the canal on...
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History of Natural Resources in the U.S.
Students define conservation, exploitation and preservation, identify legislation related to conservation and environmental issues, and identify leaders and organizations that were key to the conservation and environmental movements.
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Illinois Endangered & Threatened Species
Sixth graders identify endangered and threatened species in Illinois. Using fact sheets, they explore why some species are more likely to be on the list than others. Using the internet, they research one species, note its adaptations and...
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Creative Classroom Creatures
Young scholars are introduced to the five kingdoms and discover why there is a need for a classification system. Using the internet, they examine how scientific names are created and practice putting animals into their correct...
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Cyber Memory--Let's Hope Not
Sixth graders continue to read excerpts from "The Last Book in the Universe". In groups, they discuss any questions they have about the material. They research an endangered threatened species and make a plea to the rest of the class...
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Habitat Happenings
Students examine the characteristics of the Prairie Creek Habitat in Illinois. In groups, they travel between various stations writing haikus and reading brochures. They identify what occurs in each habitat and identify the animals...
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If I Were the Wind
Eighth graders are introduced to authors in the conservation community. As a class, they describe a personal experience they have had with nature. They identify examples of an author's descriptive writing techniques and answer questions...
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Mammal Jeopardy
Seventh graders play a jeopardy like game using information about mammals. Before beginning the game, they complete a worksheet with questions similar to ones that are to be used during the competition. They answer more difficult...
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Photosynthesis
Students are introduced to the process of photosynthesis. In groups, they test the effects of the lack of sunlight on plant leaves and compare the results with their hypothesis. They note the characteristics that plants and animals share...
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Dental Health
Fourth graders investigate the types of habits that are necessary for good dental health. They use information provided from a variety of resources to make conclusions of the overall practice of dental hygiene. Then students produce a...
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U.S History I Review for History Il
Learners review all the information they gathered in their first United States History class. They identify the major contributors to early American history and how they have affected America today. In groups, they create a newspaper on...
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The Song of the Lark
Using the internet, class members research the biography of Willa Cather, view photographs of Red Cloud, Nebraska, and read the novel, The Song of the Lark. They discuss the film, its setting and characters, and explore the importance of...
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Personal Strengths, Talents and Goals
It's important to discuss individual strengths, goals, and talents. With a partner, fourth graders create a PowerPoint presentation of one of their classmates, showcasing their goals and talents. They then complete a worksheet showing...
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Cut - Stretch - Fold
Students work on determining the area of a tangram piece without using a formula by working with geoboards, graph paper, and tangram pieces. After completing the activity, they apply their experience to determining a formula for finding...
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Pigs in a Pen
Kindergarteners explore numbers, counting, and one-to-one correspondence. Through demonstrations and hands on activities using math manipulatives, they discover several number concepts as well as practice counting throught rote...
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Finding Circumference and Area of a Circle
Young geometers explore the concept of circumference and area of circles. They discuss what information is needed to find circumference and area. The resource employs several instructional methods: Frayer Model for Vocabulary, literature...
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Measurement
Learners explore the concept of measurement. In this measurement activity, students discuss what specific measurement tools such as an odometer measure. Learners recite a measurement poem. Students make a foldable with conversion units...