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Drought Threatens Huge Man-Made Lake

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate Lake Mead, then read a news article about Lake Mead drying up and how that would effect water and power supplies to the region. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary...
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Wind Provides Electricity for Homes, Schools

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students complete a KWL chart, then read a news article about the comeback of windmills. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a KWL chart and vocabulary activity, then students read the...
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From the School House to the White House

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students recall visits to museums, then read a news article about a museum exhibit that shows what U.S. presidents were like during their childhood. In this U.S. history and current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces...
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Dividing by 4's

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore math functions by completing problem solving activities. In this division lesson, 3rd graders utilize the division strategies acquired earlier to divide multiple digit numbers by 4's. Students complete problems on...
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Building Up, Breaking Down

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars investigate how rocks are modified into construction materials. In this building up and breaking down lesson plan, students explore what happens to building materials over time and how people modify natural materials....
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Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...
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Using Old Maps as Tools to Explore Our World

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars explore historical maps. In this primary source analysis instructional activity, students uncover the meanings in selected historical maps as they use them to enhance lessons on historical events. Samples for classroom use...
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Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
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Man's Struggle for Environmental Preservation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the way all living things are connected to one another. In groups, they participate in experiments in which they analyze the chemical processes through the biosphere and explain the role of energy. They also...
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Long Island Sound

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Learners use the Internet to research the history of Long Island Sound. In groups, they identify the sources of point and nonpoint pollution and how humans are impacting the area. After watching a video, they discuss the role of...
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Developing Environmental Awareness Through Problem Solving

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the relationships among living and non-living parts of the environment. Using their senses, they identify the objects in their classroom. In groups, they participate in experiments to discover where electricity comes...
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How Plants Help Us Breathe

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discuss how humans breathe and how plants help us to stay alive. In groups, they identify and label the different parts of plants and describe their functions. They compare and contrast the ways plants and animals breathe...
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The Study of Urban and Suburban Environments within the Mystic River Watershed

For Teachers 10th - 12th
High school students examine their own water-based environments, within the Mystic Watershed. As the learners engage in inquiry-based, hands-on projects, critical thinking skills and problem-solving, the project will lead them to cross...
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THE TRAVELS OF BABAR: An Adventure in Scale:Conflict Resolution an Safety

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students research new techniques to solving conflicts without violence. Many new vocabulary words are uncovered within this lesson. They discuss Jean de Brunhoff's The Travels of Babar as an example of how a conflict can be resolved in a...
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Art Museum Visit

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students engage in a lesson designed to be used before visiting The Orange County Museum of Art in California. They are exposed to works of art from a featured artist and recreate some of his work in the classroom. Students also conduct...
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Reading Basic Music Notes

For Teachers 1st
First graders develop skills in reading music notes. In this reading music lesson plan, 1st graders clap and chant rhythm patterns and learn music vocabulary. Students also match patterns by listening to the teacher perform the pattern.
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The Well of Truth

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore the Egyptian folktale, The Well of Truth. For this folktale lesson, 2nd graders read the tale and discuss the events from the text. Students write a diary entry from the point of view of a character in the text....
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Monster and Myths: Scripts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore characteristics of the myth genre.  In this myth instructional activity, students become familiar with various myths and the cultures they were derived from. Students compare in a graphic...
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The Optimization of Food

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars discuss nutrition and how to make better choices with food. In this algebra and nutrition lesson, students discuss the way the body process food and the importance of nutrition for our cells. They discuss calories, fats...
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Niches and Adaptations

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students present information about a species, its niche, and adaptations. For this lesson on animal environments, students explore how surroundings can affect a given population resulting in adaptation.
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Value Your Digits

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders work with place value. In this place value lesson, 3rd graders write three digit numbers and tell the place value of each number. They compare numbers and money, regroup, discuss the value of coins, and count money.  
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The Life Cycle of the Mealworm

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders provide a habitat for live mealworms and observe their life cycle. In this animal life cycle and scientific inquiry activity, 4th graders create a habitat for a live mealworm and observe and record related data as it...
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Hands on Biome-Building

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore Earth science by participating in an environment activity. In this biome lesson, students discuss the importance of a healthy ecology in order to sustain life, both animal and plant. Students utilize a cardboard or wood...
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Hands on Biome-Building: Build a Forest

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners explore Earth science by identifying environmental factors. In this biome lesson, students discuss the importance of a functioning ecology and design a biome diorama. Learners utilize images of trees and plants which represent a...