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Birding Basics
Fourth graders understand the bird identification by sight and sound. In groups of 3-4, they use binoculars, field guide, checklist, and pencil and hike around the pond and through the woods, pointing out birds along the way.
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Hunt for Habitats
Students review components of a habitat and go on a hike around a pond and woods exploring different habitats and the plants and animals that use them. They examine mammal pelts and discuss the life histories, adaptations, and positions...
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Insect Biodiversity
Students observe the process of transect sampling using insect nets, to get a chance to compare the presence of different species and populations in various vegetational areas. They study the different specimens caught and compare their...
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Prairie Dog Town
Fourth graders use their knowledge of prairie dog communities to design their own model prairie dog towns. Teachers are provided with background information on prairie dogs and are encouraged to show examples to stimulate creativity. ...
Global Oneness Project
Ancient and Modern Worlds
The old aphorism, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions," might well serve as the title for a resource that asks viewers to consider the plight of the people of the Gamo Highlands, an area in southwestern Ethiopia. These...
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Postcards from California: A Unit on Geography, Social Studies, History and California's Resources
Fourth graders examine patterns that influence population density in the various regions of California. The unit's three lessons utilize graphic organizers for the interpretation and presentation of data.
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Los Californios
Fourth graders research the culture of Los Californios through primary sources. They examine maps and draw timelines of California historical dates. They investigate deeds and s of ranches and simulate property transactions.
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Build a Model Watershed
Learners build a model land surface. In this building lesson plan, students use the land surface to explore concepts such as water flow, ridges, pools of water, and water quality. They build rivers, streams, land, waterways, and surfaces.
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On the Oregon Trail
Students prepare cross-curricular lessons based on the experience of traveling the Oregon Trail.
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Creating Communities
Students design a community with minimal environmental impact. They rate each other's community's presentation using the "Planning and Zoning Commission Rating Scale".
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What Is Smart Growth?
Students practice planning for the development of an area using the goals of Smart Growth as a guide. They analyze how regions can affect government policies. They role-play citizens who recommend how an area should be developed.
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Got Park? Or if you build it, they will come!
High schoolers use GIS and GPS technology to evaluate, research, locate, and recommend where a new park should be located that benefit the community.
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If You Build It, Will They Come?
Students examine the city of Duluth, Minnesota. In groups, they use the internet to discover its current state of urban geography. After their research, they create and plan their own redeveloping of the city. They share their results...
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The Siberian Arctic
High schoolers, in groups, research the topics: habitats of northwestern Siberia, reindeer, oil and natural gas, and other threatened regions of the Arctic. They answer specific research questions based on their topic. They use online...
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Exploring Landforms
Second graders discuss the different types of landforms throughout the world. They pick one and research and present it to the class.
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Class Conservation Corps (CCC)
Students investigate how the loss of soil, a valuable natural resource, affects their lives through loss of productive land to grow food, loss of coastal land mass, and poor water quality from runoff. They design a project to keep soil...
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Where Next?
Young scholars read an article explaining NASA's possible Mars landing sites. They use the Internet to research Mars and the Module. They are able to submit their own proposals for a landing site after researching the planet.
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Landscape Design
Students create a landscape plan and keep track of their costs. They present plans to a visiting contractor and designer.
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Reclamation and Recycling
Students examine the many uses of mined lands after reclamation has been completed and discover the importance of recycling finding the difference between manufacturing with recycled materials and newly extracted materials.
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Creative Play with Number Rhymes
Students practice the skills of jumping and landing while emphasizing a balanced position on a low balance beam.
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Organism Detectives
First graders take a nature walk and search for organisms. They use magnifying glasses to see things that live on or near the surface of the Earth in land, air, and water.
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Mental Map Postcard
Students visit an outdoor setting and make a mental map of what they observe. They return to the classroom and create a postcard with specified elements such as a description of the land and the ecosystem. Students illustrate the...
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American Civilization - The Ice Age
First graders discuss the Ice Age land bridge over the Bering Straits and how it affected the population of the Americas. They construct a clay model of the land bridge and research common animals of the time.
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Exploring the Various Regions of Boyle Heights: Continuity and Change
Student study the local landscape of Boyle Heights, California and draw a sketch of the area. Students use map making skills in this activity. Studient make a portfolio of information and photographs they accumulate over time on the area.