Curated OER
Learning About Animals' Bodies
Students research different animals (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds, fish) and create books, murals, dioramas, puppets, and sculptures to illustrate the necessity of various body parts for overall survival. In this animal...
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Where to Live?
Students examine types of spatial data found in a GIS. In this geography instructional activity students use a GIS to facilitate analysis and decision making.
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Folklore in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God
Students read Zora Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and explore her life history as well as novel analysis activities. In this novel analysis instructional activity, students identify elements in the novel and its overall literary...
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How Did the Immigrants Get to the United States?
Third graders search TDC database for images of immigration from other countries, maps, and diaries. They identify the challenges that immigrants had to endure to reach the United States.
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The Debate Over North Shore Road
Students examine the impact of the North Shore Road Project in North Carolina. In this environmental science lesson plan, students share their views regarding this environmental issue. They compare and contrast the map of the Great Smoky...
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Discover the Planets
Third graders research the planets. For this science lesson, 3rd graders create PowerPoint presentations over a planet. Students present their findings.
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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.
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Settling in the Midwest
Fourth graders search a database for pictures of home that early Midwestern settlers lived in. They create a class presentation using the pictures.
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East Asian Architecture
Seventh graders compare architecture in East Asia to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, North African/Southwest Asian and South American architecture. They search the internet for current and historic images of East Asian...
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North African and Southwest Asian Architecture
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of North African and Southwest Asian architecture. They compare North African and Southwest Asian architecture to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, and South...
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Russian and Eurasian Architecture
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of Russian and Eurasian architecture. They compare current Russian and Eurasian architecture to North American, European, and South American architecture.
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European Architecture
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of European architecture. They compare current European architecture to North American, and South American architecture.
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Southeast Asian Architecture
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of Southeast Asian architecture. They compare architecture in Southeast Asia to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, North African/Southwest Asian and South American...
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Geography Grid
Fourth graders search a database to find images and scan and affix them on an 8-foot long map of the state of Illinois. They then use it as a basis for discussion.
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Whaling Slide Show
Tenth graders research a database on whaling. They search for photos that represent the whaling industry. In the classroom they use a projector and give a five-minute presentation.
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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.
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Exploring and Comparing Other Communities
Third graders search TDC database for images of physical geography maps, weather maps, natural resources maps, and old travel brochures. They create a new travel brochure of an area of their choice using the information they gathered.
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Mini-Ecosystems
Students use plastic bottles to create terrariums and plant Venus Flytraps. They observe the plants and the terrariums for illustrations of the water cycle and species' adaptations to a specific environment.
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Unearthing The Facts
Students use agriculture related questions in order to build research skills. The questions are given and then they are expected to determine the best resource for finding the answers. The connection to the farmer is how they use...
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How Communication Technologies Affect People
Third graders complete a worksheet, first with known information, and then with researched information. They create a PowerPoint, video, or radio broadcast to convey the results of their research. They learn to use a graphic organizer to...
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Marketing to Teens: Parody Ads
High schoolers deconstruct advertising messages by analyzing parody ads and exploring the purpose of satire. Then they create their own parodies based on real ads discussed in class. A creative activity to extend any study of media,...
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From Graphic Organizer to Composition - Grade Six
How does one use a graphic organizer to plan writing? Introduce your writers to different types of graphic organizers by dividing the class into groups and assigning each group a particular organizer. Then, as they research chocolate...
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Soft Sculpture Birds
Art can mimic life, and animals are always interesting subjects. Learners create large soft sculptures (stuffed) birds using paper, paint, and other basic collage materials. They view images of birds, and discuss bird traits and shapes....
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Frederick Douglass
Fifth graders are introduced to the novel "Frederick Douglass" and conduct research about his life. The lesson integrates technology while using a library database. It is used as a source of information with access to a reference...