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Where's the CAT? a DNA Profiling Simulation.
Young scholars explore DNA technology. Students participate in a simulation to perform at the basic steps of a DNA profile. They observe copies of DNA sequences, construct DNA probes, and discuss outcomes of their experiment.
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Saving Energy Through Ecological Landscape Design
Learners are able to transcribe to scale the plant features of a common landscape. They determine true north and south and collect and record data on a table. Students calculate a rating for and describe a definition of insulation and...
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Using Picture Books to Teach the Holocaust
Students compare a photo of a child's room during the Holocaust to their room. In this WWII lesson, students read picture books and evaluate the roles of characters in the book. Students create either a poster about the roles, a movie...
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Rocks and Minerals
Fifth graders examine different types of rocks and classify rocks by their different characteristics. In small groups they sort their rocks into two categories, then create three categories to sort by on a sorting worksheet. Next, they...
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Human Impact on the Environment and Pollution
Students illustrate the impact humans have on the environment through analogies and models. They observe demonstrations of human impact and pollution and create a composite picture of how people can have an impact on their environment.
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Antarctica
Students explore why Antarctica is so important to the planet. They investigate the physical characteristics. Students create their own unique treaty of governance for Antarctica and discuss how laws are enforced in Antarctica.
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Electricity Danger
Students determine how electricity is useful but also can be dangerous. They observe a teacher demonstration of the hazards associated with touching wires using a puppet, batteries, wire, and a light bulb. They devise a list of...
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Paths of Electrical Currents
Fourth graders examine the paths that electrical currents travel. They create a current of electricity using flashlights, bulbs, batteries, wires and tape. They determine how to create a closed circuit that will light the bulb. They...
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Shh, Do Not Wake the Baby!
Students explore the /sh/ digraph and how it is a blending of the /s/ and /h/ sounds. They use letterbox manipulatives to spell 'sh' words and identify /sh/ words as they read a story. They 'fish' for 'sh' words to practice writing at...
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Method for Teaching the Blending of Sounds: Train Technique
Students explore the blending of individual sounds to make words and, using visuals and manipulatives, equate this process to the hooking up of railroad cars to make a train. They link individual letters/sounds to make short words.
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The Rain in Spain Stays Mainly in the Plains
Students review the concept of vowel digraphs. They identify the digraph /ai/ in spoken language. After a brief discussion, students apply the rule for reading and spelling words containing the /ai/ digraph by creating a word chart.
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Inching Our Way through Measurement
Students review how to use an inch ruler and listen to the story, Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni. In this measuring lesson plan, students work in small groups to create an Inch Poster. Students then use an inch ruler to measure different...
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Story Elements
Sixth graders use several pieces of literature to identify specific story elements. In this story elements lesson, 6th graders analyze the story element of character, character traits, and setting for the example stories. Students work...
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Biomedical Imaging
Students use guided questions and research to compare two biomedical imaging methods. they effectively present their findings to the class. Students use new technical knowledge to summarize and compare new techniques with those they...
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Fractions, Decimals, and Gravity
Students discuss how weight is directly related to gravitational force on a planet. Students then choose Space Traveler as companion and compute how much their guide weighs on various planets, based on each planet's relative surface...
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Pair-Share: Constructing Paragraph Order
Students write with controlled and/or subtle organization. They identify the main idea and explicit details. Students analyze paragraph and essay structure. They utilize context clues to identify organization.
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Force & Motion
Third graders are introduced to the concepts of force and motion. In groups, they travel between stations to analyze the effect of force and motion on various objects. They research how various careers use these concepts as well.
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Social Studies: People and Their Contributions
Students, working in groups, research people who have made significant contributions in history. They compile biographies about their chosen individual, including what they think might have happened if this person had not made the...
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Scrabble Laps
Young scholars access that the purpose of this activity is to integrate physical fitness with spelling of core vocabulary words used in science and social studies. Students play the Scrabble Lap Game.
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I'm Falling For You!
Third graders are introduced to the concept of gravity by observing different objects being dropped from a high point. In groups, they complete the same activities Galileo did and record their observations. To end the lesson, they...
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Electric Current and Circuits
Compare the drift speed of conduction electrons in a current-carrying wire to the signal speed of changes in current. They also distinguish between DC and AC and describe how AC is converted to DC.
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The First Thanksgiving
Third graders see the differences between the first Thanksgiving and the present day Thanksgiving. They create a menu for a Thanksgiving dinner after listening to a short article and helping the teacher create a Venn diagram. Students...
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Language Arts: What Makes an Individual
Third graders listen to the teacher read "The Sneetches" prior to creating charts about their individual characteristics. After numerous examples of individuality, they compile them on chart paper. As an extension, 3rd graders write...
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The Basics of Earth Science
Students discuss and define the term "scientific theory." They work in small groups to draft an overview of one theory including details about the theory's evidence and significance.