Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Insects

For Teachers K
Students, through books, videos, and readings, explore characteristics of insects. In groups, they choose an insect to research. Students discover their insect's diet, how they move, and where they live. Afterwards, they use the facts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I am the Walrus

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research walruses using the library and the Internet, then write an essay from what they find in their research.  In this investigative lesson students view a video on walruses then write an essay after researching. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion Exploration

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate the factors that increase soil erosion. They identify how the environment is affected by erosion. In small groups, 9th graders research erosion problems in various locations. Groups brainstorm ideas to help...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Uplifting Experience

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the forces that affect the flight of airplanes through the use of paper airplanes. They conduct Internet research, conduct experiments demonstrating Bernoulli's Principle, and design and construct a paper airplane.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

So You Want to Buy a Painting

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders research physical and chemical methods used in authenticating paintings (e.g., ultraviolet fluorescence and spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and reflectography, X-ray diffraction, microscopy, pigment analysis, and gas...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Species and Spaces - At Risk at Home

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore and compare Canadian biomes and investigate species at risk. They describe population growth and eco-regions in terms of climate and geography. They research and create presentations about the natural history and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Siberian Arctic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glaciers Leave Their Imprint

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study various types of glaciers and the landforms they create. Working in pairs, they research a type of glacial landform and construct a calendar page illustrating and describing it. The pages be compiled to create a class...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seed Selection for Genetic Variation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will research the origin of corn, analyze factors that contribute to shorter and longer growing seasons, and use the scientific method to answer the question: Did seed selection contribute to the successful movement of corn from...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

A Blessing in Disguise

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Young scholars study the history of polio as well as a history of modern medicine, the history of alternative medicine and the role of the scientific method in each of these histories. They review the scientific method and research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Australia

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify animals that are unique to Australia, study their habitation and how they fit in their environment.  In this exploratory instructional activity students research a topic to find out specific information about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orca Search

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners conduct a variety of research activities to widen their knowledge about Orca Whales. They compile their research into a paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environmental Education/Water Pollution

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders play a game in which they list as many environmental issues or terms in alphabetical order. They brainstorm ways they can save the environment and create a mural that displayed research found from the internet and Encarta.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research a rock or mineral on the Internet. They perform the research with a partner to find out properties such as, color, hardness, and opacity. They look for pictures on the Internet in order to prepare for their slideshow...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Robert Boyle and Religion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discuss past cultures and the history of ideas in seventeenth century science. They answer a list of questions and prepare for a debate on the subjects of science and religion and views on how the universe was created.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The African American Inventor

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners study various African American inventors and their contributions. They select their favorite invention and work in groups to research a specific African American inventor. After conducting their research, they share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Technology Trek with Endangered Animals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify endangered animals and research reasons why these animals may be going extinct. Using the internet, reference books and reference CDs, students explore an animal of their choice and write a report about the endangered...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strong Vibes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners consider how the tension of a rubber band relates to the stress build-up in earthquakes. They conduct research and write fictional television coverage about a Pacific Northwest town that is hit by an earthquake.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seeing the Forests for the Trees

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore changing logging practices in the Congo Republic and research the many roles of tropical forests as a natural resource. To synthesize their understanding, students write letters to loggers in Africa, urging them to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals of Rainforest and Temperate Forest

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students research an animal from each type of forest, and compare/contrast them on a concept map. They write a letter from one animal to the other, using information from their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Adaptations to Various Environments

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine animal adaptatations for various animals and different environments throughout the year. They use the Internet to research these environments and apply them to the animals.
Lesson Plan
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Desert Discoveries

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners correspond with Israeli students from Jerusalem by email as part of a study on desert and semi-arid regions. They conduct background research and become proficient in the use of electronic mail.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Development of Industrial New Hampshire

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students work in groups to research and share information about several different topics that were part of the development of Industrial New Hampshire. Students complete five parts of the project which include researching, role playing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wildfire: Friend or foe?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore positive and negative effects of wildfire and analyze positions on fire management. They conduct library research to uncover as much about wildfires and prescribed burns as they can. Students participate in a role-play...