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Matter and Molecular Motion

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders define the states of matter and their properties. They demonstrate the air is matter and observe the effect of molecular motion through these activities.
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Creating Realistic Faces

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explain that, in order to create realistic faces, artists study live models, use mathematics to explain correct proportion, and practice by making sketches. They create a self-portrait using these principles.
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Oval Action Figures

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students discover the basics of figure proportion and create oval figures which show the human body in motion. Artists also study the way the body moves and bends. They see that artists study live models and make many sketches or studies...
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Forms in Architecture

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore shapes and forms in architecture. This lesson also introduce students to the concepts of form and function in architecture. They take an architectural tour (on foot or with visuals) to identify forms and shapes.
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Making Inferences about a Llano River Rancheria

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the Indian groups who lived 1,000 years ago on the Llano River. They use paintings and photographs of tools and other artifacts to make inferences and conclusions about how the Indians lived.
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No Lights Tonight

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore use of batteries and electrical power on farms in the 1930s.
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Chinese Shadow Puppets

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore Chinese culture by performing a shadow puppet play. They create the puppets, develop a script, and rehearse and perform a play which illustrates an understanding of Chinese stories and traditions.
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Music Advocacy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students view part of a video about advocating for music education. They discuss the importance of supporting music education in schools and create a presentation for the PTO, a news release about a local music event and/or scripts for a...
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Find Yourself with Global Positioning

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine different types of new mapping technologies. They use the internet to gather information about mapping and navigation. They create their own global positioning tool and defend it to the class.
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Trichinella Forensics

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students engage in DNA manipulation using forensics techniques. Students investigate topics involved in forensics studies such as cloning, electrophoresis, gene mapping, replication, and transcription.
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Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in African American Students: Exploring African American Achievers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are introduced to ways to increase their self-esteem. As a class, they share their specific talents under three categories. In groups, they use the internet to research the lives of various African Americans making sure...
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Food and Your Body -- How to Maintain a Healthy Diet

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the different food groups on the food pyramid. In groups, they discover the proper amount to eat from each food group and how to prepare healthy meals. They keep a food journal and calculate the amount of...
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Who Gets to Invent and How Do Inventors Change Our Lives?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine the way various inventions have changed their lives. As a class, they create a timeline of the most important inventions during their lifetime and another timeline of how old they were when it was invented. ...
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Willie and Friends: Overcomers in the Land Stories by Faith Ringgold

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use puppets and plays to examine the role of African Americans throughout history. After being read a story by a puppet, they respond to each one in writing. Individually, they write a story about a place they have wanted to...
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Making Connections: Exploring Our Brains through the Five Senses

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners record observations and create drawings and models of anatomy using their five senses. They describe the structures of a neuron and analyze each of their functions. They compare and contrast the typical structural features of a...
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The Influence of Jazz Music in Twentieth Century Art

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars examine the effect of music on society. While listening to music, they identify the beat, rhythm and write down their reaction to it. Listening to longer selections, they assign a color to the music and share it with the...
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Look Before You Think: How To Appreciate a Painting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop an elementary understanding of the history of art. They study the basic elements of a painting including perspective, composition, color, light and symbolism. They look at each selected painting and analyze it, moving...
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Maskerade, My Self, And No Other

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students examine themselves, discover their strong, positive attributes, and recognize areas in need of improvement (since each individual possesses strengths but all people have some weaknesses). They develop self-acceptance, trust in...
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Debunking the Myth of the American West

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students participate in a close reading. They examine the text closely for implied and hidden meaning, dissect the story to understand the text as a written craft, and discuss significant details and overall meaning of story. They...
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Documentarians of an Era: A Study of the Paintings of Thomas Eakins and Gustave Caillebotte

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners produce an object analysis of 'The Champion Single Scull'. They begin with description, proceeding to deduction, and finally providing speculation by interpreting the outward evidence of culture. They use a clipboard and paper...
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Genetic Engineering of Crop Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore genetic engineering and it biological and ethical implications. By conducting experiments with genetically engineered corn and plain corn they determine the difference in taste. Students also discover the effects of...
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The Greening of Mars: The Changes Necessary to Sustain Life on Mars

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss the currents conditions on the planet of Mars. In groups, they work together to develop a mechanism that allows for a balanced ecosystem to survive on the planet. After presenting their ideas to the class, they...
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Organic and Inorganic Recycling

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine their role in polluting the environment and discuss the importance of recycling. In groups, they place earthworms into compost piles to observe why they are considered natural recyclers. They also practice sorting a...
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African American Poetry: Family and Traditions

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students are introduced to the elements of African-American poetry. As a class, they are read different types of poems to discover there are different styles of poems and practice rhyming words. They share information on their family...