Curated OER
Sorting Gourds
Students discover different types of gourds. In this plant comparison lesson, students compare and contrast several types of gourds based on shape, color and texture. Students observe a video clip based on sorting gourds.
Curated OER
Follow the Drinking Gourd
Students create an art project based on "Follow the Drinking Gourd," a song used to guide slaves to freedom during the Civil War. They read a picture book to learn the story of how Harriet Tubman and Peg Leg Joe led slaves to freedom.
Curated OER
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
Third graders read the story, "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" and discuss slavery. After answering questions about the story, 3rd graders sing "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd" and explore the clues in each verse that allowed the slaves to...
Growing Minds
Growing Minds: Cucumber Exploration
After reading a picture book about planting and harvesting cucumbers, learners get a chance to examine some cucumbers of their own. First, they see photographs of a cucumber on a vine, and learn that it is part of the gourd family. They...
Curated OER
Follow the Drinking Gourd: Creative Writing
Learners conduct Internet research to identify the conflicts and positions of slaves, slaveholders, and members of the Underground Railroad network in the time preceding the Civil War. Students write an essay about their findings written...
Curated OER
Astronomy
A broad sampling of material related to stars is covered here. You will want to review each question to see if it corresponds to your curriculum. The formatting is inconsistent, but easily corrected if you use the information to create...
Curated OER
Reach for the Stars
Students investigate the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, students read books about slavery, the Undeground Railroad, and how slaves escaped the south. Students develop knowledge about coded songs and constellations that...
Curated OER
Autumn Crossword Puzzle
In this online/interactive crossword worksheet, students read clues and solve the puzzle using words about the autumn season. Students type 21 word answers and check them by observing the color of their answers-yellow indicates a correct...
Curated OER
Create a Garden Goddess
Learners construct a Garden Goddess. For this gardening lesson, students recall why farmers used scarecrows and discover the history of a Garden Goddess. Learners construct their own Garden Goddess from old clothes, paint, and branches.
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Weather/Climate
Students examine traditional Native American weather/climate knowledge. They keep a weather journal and research cloud cover.
Curated OER
The Nitrogen Cycle
Students design and create a compost pile in order to study the Nitrogen Cycle. They then use the scientific method to determine if plants grow better when they add organic matter from their compost pile to the plant's soil.
Curated OER
Germination Observations
Students germinate seeds under a variety of conditions. First, students read and discuss the background of gardening. After reviewing germination and the steps to the scientific method, groups of students complete experiments.
Curated OER
Matching Flowers With Their Pollinators
Young scholars match flowers to pollinators and construct models of
flowers to demonstrate why different kinds of flowers need different kinds of
pollinators. They use their flower models and the "Scientific Method Format" included in...
Curated OER
When Turtle Grew Feathers
Students discuss being a friend and sing songs about friendship. In this friendship lesson, students listen to When Turtle Grew Feathers. Students answer questions about the friends in the story. Students discuss the story elements.
Curated OER
Quiz 113
In this color quiz worksheet, learners answer 12 online questions about color. The color questions are related to history, art, culture and mineral dyes.
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-Sahara, Vanishing Cultures
Students read Sahara, Vanishing Cultures by Jan Reynolds. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study nomadic cultures. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Pumpkins... Not Just For Halloween
Celebrate fall with four pumpkin themed hands-on activities! After learning about pumpkins, scholars complete two activity sheets that reinforce estimation and word problems. They then plant pumpkin seeds and bake a pie in a bag.
Curated OER
Minty
Students investigate, read, and discuss about other famous Afro-American leaders. Students compare/contrast slaves home, activities, etc. with that of Afro- Americans today. Students create a time line to post on the wall of Harriet's...
Curated OER
Pumpkins By the Pound
Use pumpkins of various sizes to experiment with weight and perimeter. First the class lifts the pumpkins one by one, estimating each pumpkin's weight. They arrange the pumpkins from lightest to heaviest, and then string weigh each one...
Curated OER
Celebrate The Four Seasons
Students investigate cause and effect and compare and contrast how recurring cycles are evident in multiple aspects of their education. They answer questions in the chosen field. Students model each aspect by interpreting, perceiving and...
Curated OER
Plants of the Past
Fourth graders explore ecosystems by examining plants of the past. They discuss ways in which we interact with plants in our daily lives. Students discuss the role plants play in providing food for animals and the significance they had...
Curated OER
People for the Land: Native Americans in Iowa
Learners identify Iowa's American Indian cultures and complete a research project for the topic. In this Iowa's American Indian lesson, students research read the background information about tribes in Iowa and complete a research...
Curated OER
Catch the Gullah Beat: Rhythm and Percussion
Students explore the Gullah culture. In this social studies lesson, students construct and play instruments similar to those of the Gullah people.