Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
Life as a Pioneer
Students examine historical documents and research why early pioneers settled on the Iowa prairie. They review maps, describe the impact of railroading, describe life in pioneer times, and identify the effects of drought, prairie fire,...
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Mapping Baseball
Learners research how climate, distance, population shifts and immigration have influenced American baseball. They also consider how players from other countries have made their mark on American baseball.
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Football at Carlisle Indian School: A Tool for Assimilation?
Middle schoolers become familiar with procedures for helping Indians assimilate in the 1800's. In this history lesson plan learners explore how football helped Indians to assimilate in a positive way. Middle schoolers recognize the...
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Where Will I Go From Here?
Students research the various cultures in Colonial America. In this American history lesson, students analyze and complie the research they find presenting what they have found into a short presentation.
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Compass Rose
Second graders practice identifying the four cardinal directions. After locating a compass rose on a map, 2nd graders explain each point that corresponds to a direction. Using a toy ship as a manipulative on a map, students observe its...
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Civil Liberties And National Security
Students experience profiling first-hand through creation of a Class ID, and daily persecution of a selected group of students. They examine the tension between the concern for national security and for the preservation of civil liberties
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Landfills: A Solid Waste Management Plan
Students are able to list the types of household waste that they produce daily. They are able to describe some other types of waste that are produced by industry or agriculture to help maintain their lifestyles. Students are able to...
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Fires and Fire Suppression
Students examine their assumptions about forest fires. They explore the conflicts involved with the forest service's new strategy. in addition, they will study one case where a prescribed natural burn had a significant impact on a later,...
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Floods: Rising Waters and You
High schoolers will examine how floods work and why they can cause so much damage and destruction. They use a stream table to observe the processes that lead to flooding and the effects of floods on human-made structures. Includes a...
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Native Species Restoration and its Impact on Local Populations
Young scholars explore how predators help control the growth of prey species for a more balanced ecosystem.
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Is FEMA a Natural Disaster?
Students develop an understanding of FEMA and reflect about the consequences of a natural disaster. In this natural disaster lesson, students are asked specific questions after reading several stories. After class discussion...
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Mammals: Mammals and Their Ways
Students study the difference between innate and learned behaviors. They observe the adaptations and behaviors of mammals in this series of lessons.
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Liberty Ships
Students complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrips to see various Victory Ships along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the U.S.
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Going, Going, Ghost
Third graders research ghost towns. In this geography lesson, 3rd graders locate ghost towns on a map and choose one location to research. Students construct a research paper and present it to the class.
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What Made George Washington a Great Leader?
Students examine the leadership attributes of George Washington. In this George Washington lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the leadership of first president. Students respond to...
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Understanding Europe: A Cultural Mosaic (Theme 1)
Students discuss the cultural similarities and differences found in Northen Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe and create daily journal entries charting their discoveries. This lesson is the First Part in a Four...
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Exploring New Frontiers
Students gather information about the contributions of various explorers. Using the internet, they discover the many viewpoints of those who conquered new frontiers. They examine and compare life 200 years ago to their life today.
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Anne Frank: Citizenship Laws
Learners study early civilizations and the contributions they made to the foundations of human culture. They discuss why citizenship is valuable and the Constitutional Amendments that are associated with it.
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Joseph Bellamy House
Students use maps, readings, drawings and photos to research the career and importance of Reverend Joseph Bellamy as a religious leader in New England during the Great Awakening. They also identify the basic principles of Puritanism.
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Cotton Production and Milling
Students examine cotton production and milling. They compete in a hand-ginning contest to realize how difficult it was to separate the seeds from the fibers of cotton. They discuss why Eli Whitney's cotton gin was an important invention.
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Ocean Habitats:
Students investigate the creatures of intertidal zones. They explore the adaptations species make to survive .
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Non Native Species: English Ivy-Landscape Plant or Deadly Killer?
High schoolers study the impact that invasive species have on biodiversity and more natural areas.
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Flowers and Plants
Students are assigned to bring five flowers. They explore flowers to distinguish different physical features of flowers. They compare and contrast different flowers to determine what features they have in common. Students develop an...
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Iowa: Reading Comprehension
In this Iowa reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 2-page selection regarding the state and then respond to 10 true or false questions.