Cornell University
Discovering Enzymes
Explore the function of enzymes through a series of lab investigations. Learners use household enzymes such as hydrogen peroxide to model the role of enzymes. The enzymes break down proteins with and without a catalyst.
Cornell University
Electromagnets
Discover the connection between electric current and magnets. Scholars create electromagnets by passing a magnet through a coil. They experiment with different materials to determine the variables that affect the strength of the current.
Cornell University
Casting
Don't cast a great hands-on resource aside! Scholars learn about the process of casting by actually trying out an example. Plaster of Paris and cookie cutter molds help them complete the activity.
Cornell University
Isotope Rummy
Thanks to this game, teaching isotopes will never be the same. Physical science scholars work their way toward understanding isotopes in an entertaining game. Pupils play rummy in groups while practicing good sportsmanship and creating...
Cornell University
Radical Reactions
The radical reactions of polymers seems abstract to many pupils, but this lesson turns them into a fun building game. Scholars use dice and building pieces to build polymers. Then, they determine the theoretical and experimental weight...
Curated OER
Topic 5: Running the Business
Students explore the concept of running a business. In this running a business instructional activity, students put their plan of action into practice. Students market a product and try to maximize profit.
Curated OER
Topic 6: Evaluating and Presenting Results
Students construct spreadsheets from raw data. In this spreadsheet construction instructional activity, students compile data into Microsoft Excel. Students familiarize themselves with entering and presenting data in a spreadsheet.
Curated OER
The Basics:Life Science
Middle schoolers explore concepts in life science using segments drawn from Discovery Channel. In this life science lesson, students participate in discussions about the food chain. Middle schoolers create a poster to...
Curated OER
Finding Our Place in the Community
Third graders search TDC database for images of our hemisphere, continent, ocean, country, state, and city. They identify their place in the hemisphere, continent, ocean, country, state, and city.
Curated OER
Save the Planet!
Third graders explore the Recycle City Web site. They examine ways to save the environment. They write a short interview between a news reporter and an environmental expert. They practice acting out their news report.
Curated OER
Architecture the Wright Way
Eighth graders search a database for famous buildings in Illinois, and compare these structures to the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Curated OER
Edit a Friendly Letter
In this letter editing instructional activity, students read a letter to "mom," then recopy it on another sheet of paper and correct all errors found.
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Inventions Multimedia Time Line
Eighth graders research the impact of particular inventions on various times throughout history. They compile information from the Internet and a database to create a multimedia timeline of important inventions. The program Timeliner is...
Curated OER
National Congress of Neighborhood Women
Young scholars research and create a case study as an illustration of the different programs created by the National Congress of Neighborhood Women. Then they present their cases to the class and discuss.
Curated OER
Urban Treasure Hunt
Fourth graders use clues, and a photo, to find the location of a building in Illinois. They then take a present picture and create a powerpoint presentation to compare past and present features
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Dancing Feathers
Fifth graders read and analyze the novel, 'Dancing Feathers.' They identify the main story elements, develop personal and fictional narratives, retell the story from a different point of view, create a mask, and design a postcard.
Curated OER
Introduction of Primary Sources
First graders are introduced to photographs and newspaper articles to be used as primary sources. Using a projecter, they are shown photographs of a famous person to prove they were real and not make believe. In groups, they use...
Curated OER
African Architecture
Seventh graders investigate cultural influences on architecture in Africa south of the Sahara. They compare the architecture to that in North America, Europe, Russia, and North Africa, Asia, and South America.
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Chicana Rights
Students research various events relating to the Chicana rights movement in order to analyze the Chicana Caucus Resolutions passed in 1973.
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Community Building during the Great Society
Young scholars, by analyzing articles from the "Mobilization for Youth News Bulletin," identify the ways that students in the 1960s worked to improve their community.
Curated OER
The Struggle to Organize
Students analyze correspondence and a news release regarding the Harlan, Kentucky, mine strike of 1931-1932. They use these documents to discuss the problems of organizing industrial trade unions before the New Deal.
Curated OER
The United Nations and Women
Pupils analyze the role of the Commission on the Status of Women in the post-WW II era by looking at the general framework the Committee worked within. They propose their own solutions to the case studies.
Curated OER
Aboriginal Physical Education
Students engage in p.e. activities that have roots in native Indian, Metis, and Inuit cultures. They practice the skill involved and listen to the significance behind the skill. They read relevant books and define new terminology.
Curated OER
As the World Spins
Students research forms of and uses for pottery. They examine the people who created the pottery and create a presentation to exhibit their findings.