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Anatomy of the Heart
Tenth graders examine the different parts of the heart. In this biology instructional activity, 10th graders perform dissection of the fetal pig. They explain how the heart maintains homeostasis.
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Understanding Digestion
Pupils analyze data from their primary literature (textbook) and explore multiple
aspects of digestion by generating alternative or multiple explanations for questions posed during the instructional activity. This instructional...
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Introduction to Biomes
Fifth graders use scientific skills and processes to recognize how living things depend on one another and on the environment for survival and the human use of natural resources impacts the environment. Explain how Earth's surface...
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Overpopulation
Students examine population growth and how it impacts our environment. In this population lesson students identify the causes and consequences of overpopulation.
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Reading - Glaciers
In this online interactive glaciers worksheet, students respond to 10 fill in the blank and multiple choice questions regarding the information included in the provided paragraphs.
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It's A Jungle in Here!
Fifth graders research rainforest destruction. In this geography and ecology lesson, 5th graders work as a group to research the effects of logging, farming, and mining on the rainforest. Students gather and display data and information...
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Tornado Chasers
Young scholars explore how tornadoes are the most violent storms on earth. Raging at speeds of up to 300 miles per hour, their awesome winds can flip cars through the air like leaves, snap trees like matchsticks, and reduce entire towns...
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Predators and Prey
Students explain how the food chain works. They contrast predators with prey and describe their function in nature. Students discuss how the food chain aids in keeping nature balanced. In small groups, they play a game that simulates the...
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Hey You! Want to Become a Scientist?
students prepare and give oral presentations about assigned scientists and the accomplishments of the scientists after completing research and written reports on their subjects. They come to school dressed as their scientist!
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Mock Fly-Tying
Young scholars make their own fly-fishing flies. In this aquatic macroinvertebrates activity, students look at images of different species of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Young scholars compare the similarities and differences...
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Recycling
Students examine the impact of recycling on the economy and environment. They develop a recycling plan for their own community in order to solve recycling problems.
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Medicine: Then and Now
Middle schoolers read ancient Greek texts to explore ancient healing practices and compare them to those of modern times. They explain Greek healing practices for wounds.
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Golden Stars?
Students explore the possibility that all the gold on Earth came from another source. Discussions of how the materials arrived and its source forms the basis of data used to play a review game.
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My World
Learners study maps. In this social studies instructional activity, students draw a map of either their room at home or the route they take to school. Learners label items on their maps.
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Investigating Animals in Water
Young scholars observe small animal activity. They identify local water animals and describe the habitats where water animals can be found. Students collect samples to observe in the classroom.
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Who Stole My Salad?
Eighth graders explain how protein is made in the cell. For this biology lesson, 8th graders translate RNA and DNA using an internet database. They determine the thief based on evidence collected.
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I Depend on You, You Depend on Me!
Students explore the interdependency between humans and the ecosystems. They examine how uncontrolled development threatens the rain forests. They discuss how human actions affect the rain forest.
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Feedback and Flowcharts
Sixth graders explain what a negative feedback system is and they distinguish it from a positive feedback system. They describe examples of how negative feedback is used in both nature and technology. , Students define homeostasis, and...
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Scientific Advances Could Bring Back the Dodo & Mammoth
Students reflect on the possibility of bringing extinct species back to life. In this ESL instructional activity, students debate the pros and cons of extinction reversal then complete several activities centered around the topic.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Problem-Solving
Students help solve real-life classroom problems. In this problem solving activity, the class sits down as a whole and discusses possible solutions to real problems that they face as a class.
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Ethical Decision Making in Biology
Students explore a model that illustrates the spread of HIV through an adolescent population. Acting in the role of epidemiologists, students explore the dilemmas of HIV infection presented by a simulation. Students produce a play, skit,...
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A Scientific Approach to Teaching about Evolution
Learners examine fossils and analyzing their significance in relation to theories of evolution. Hand-outs are provided. This lesson could be supplementary to a broader unit on evolution or geology.
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Aquatic Communities
Students watch a video about aquatic communities. They conduct an experiment that shows how movement of rivers change the landscape. They compare fresh and salt water communities and its wildlife.
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Worms in a Bottle
Students gain a better understanding of the worm and its role in the recycling of organic materials into simpler forms by constructing worm bottles and observing for 60 to 90 days.