Unit Plan
Project Food, Land & People

Loco for Cocoa

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a time line and map about how chocolate traveled the world. In this chocolate lesson plan, students also create and taste chocolate.
Lesson Plan
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Prairie People

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders interview a person who explains the lifestyles of people who lived on the prairies in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They examine how today's lifestyles impact the environment and write up what they learned.
Worksheet
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Zebra Mussels

For Students 7th
In this zebra mussels worksheet, 7th graders read an article about zebra mussel populations in United States' lakes and rivers. Students read about the negative effects and some positive results and then answer several questions about...
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Tree-mendous Game

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars play a game where they classify the different characteristics of trees. In this tress lesson plan, students also use tree vocabulary and describe benefits of trees.
Lesson Plan
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Prairie Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Here is a simple lesson plan for young learners on the plants, animals, and flowers found in the prairie environment. There are worksheets embedded in the plan that pupils use once a teacher-led discussion and demonstration has taken...
Lesson Plan
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Prairie Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students search for a variety of items while visiting a Listening to the Prarie exhibition.
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Here Today. . .Gone Tomorrow

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students observe that there are threatened and endangered bird species in Illinois, why they have been given this status and how it relates to endangered species on a worldwide basis. they participate in the Project WILD "Oh, Deer" or...
Lesson Plan
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Through The Looking Glass

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine the time period of westward expansion. In groups, they use the internet to research the reasons why people moved west during the 1800s. They write their own narratives playing the role of a member of a pioneer family...
Lesson Plan
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Thanksgiving - A Focus on Clothing

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners focus on the types of clothing that the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags wore for the First Thanksgiving. They study how the clothing was made before making samples to wear at a classroom Thanksgiving feast. They study the natural...
Lesson Plan
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All Things Chinese-- Building a Classroom Museum

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners explore China.  In this introduction to Chinese culture lesson plan, students bring in items or pictures from home that represent Chinese culture. Learners create a "Chinese museum" by putting these labeled items on...
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Sorting Information Calories from Food

For Students 7th - 10th
In this computer research worksheet, students load ViewPoint and open the Countries file. They utilize the search tool to select countries outside the continents of Europe and North America. Students also utilize the Sort tool to sort...
Lesson Plan
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Planning a Trip for Christopher Columbus

For Teachers 1st
First graders plan a trip for Christopher Columbus. They use their math skills to construct a ship for Columbus' voyage. They show their ship and calculations to their classmates and build graphs to show the amount of supplies needed to...
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AIH-5: Westward Expansion

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research how the westward expansion affected the American Indians.
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"Chocolate" Reading Comprehension-- Informational Passages

For Students 4th - 5th
In this reading for information worksheet, students read a one page text about the history and origins of chocolate. Students answer 5 comprehension and 5 vocabulary multiple choice questions.
Worksheet
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Buffalo

For Students 3rd
In this proof reading activity, 3rd graders correct seven sentences about the buffalo. They find ten errors total on the page. Two identical worksheets are included on this page.
Lesson Plan
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The Dairy Shoppe

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research dairy farming and learn about dairy products as well as dairy processing. In this dairy lesson, 5th graders read background information about dairy farming and processing. Students discuss running a small business...
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The Sparrow

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a detailed one page story which gives facts about sparrows. Students answer 4 questions.
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Indigenous People

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine what foods are indigenous to America and how Western European expansion impacted indigenous communities. They identify indigenous foods that they themselves eat, and label maps and identify ethnic groups in the...
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At Your Fingertips

For Teachers 1st
First graders observe a variety of different foods including kiwi, banbnas, coffee, chocolate and discuss where they come from. They discuss the terms import and export then identify the locations where the items came from and their...
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God's Life

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the Huichole culture. They create a craft that is typical of the Huichole culture. Students partake in a variety of traditional Spanish foods and music. They use Spanish vocabulary while creating their craft.
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Chicago's South Side

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students discover the cultural of Chicago's South Side. In this African American History lesson, students examine the migration and contributions of African Americans as they moved into cities of the North. Students will explore...
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Great River Bend Adventure

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use their imagination. They discuss the 4 C's of teamwork: Concentration, Communications, Coomperation, and Consideration. Students discuss the safety guidelines of the project. They complete a rope maze. The group walks...
Worksheet
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Early Native American Life

For Students 5th - 6th
In this Native Americans activity, students read and discuss a 1 page article, fill in the blanks to 6 statements, match 6 vocabulary words with their correct definitions and answer 4 short answer questions referring back to the article.
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Nomad Land

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore the migratory movements of animals as they monitor their own movements throughout the school day. Climatic and feeding conditions are examined as cues for the movement.