Lesson Plan
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Kids Get School Named for Obama

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students read about the renaming of a school for Barack Obama. In this political lesson, the teacher presents vocabulary words from the news article, then the students read the article and answer comprehension questions. Lesson includes...
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Rising Temperatures Threaten Penguins

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine the continent of Antarctica, then read a news article about the decline in the Antarctic penguin population. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity,...
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Growing Plants in Science and Literature, More Than an Empty Pot

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students read The Empty Pot as an introduction to plants. In this planting lesson, students understand a sequence of events in the book and relate it to the sequence of a plants life. Students grow plants and record information in flower...
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Holy Mole

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the Mexican sauce Mole and the culture of Mexico.  In this Mexican culture lesson, 3rd graders find Mexico on the map and access prior knowledge about the country.  Students discuss Mexican foods....
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Landmarks of the Underground Railroad

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore Civil Rights by reading several books in class. In this Underground Railroad lesson, students discuss The Story of Henry Box Brown and identify the location and functionality of the Underground Railroad. Students answer...
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Underground Railroad

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read about Harriet Tubman and develop vocabulary lists.  In this Underground Railroad lesson, 4th graders find similarities and differences in primary and secondary sources, create a timeline and recognize important...
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Brutal British

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students read and predict the outcome of a story set during the Civil War, then map the story. To prepare for the activity, students determine why it is important to look at historical events from all angles by using primary and...
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Countries of Africa

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the different countries of Africa. In this African geography lesson, students choose an African country to investigate and construct the country's flag. Students use a map of Africa to color in their country.
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Historical Markers

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students read the "Chicago Tribute Markers of Distinction," and pick one famous person to write about. In this creative writing worksheet, students write about this person's home. Additionally, students pretend that 100 years from now, a...
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Telling Time in Different Time Zone

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create clocks and complete small group activities to represent the six different times zones in the US. Using small paper plate clocks, 4th graders visually demonstrate the differences in these time zones.
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Deserts

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students do various activities to explain where the United States' desert region lies in relationship to the state in which they live, become familiar with plants and animals in the Sonoran desert, and make a story map of Roadrunner...
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss and define folklore, locate town of Sleepy Hollow, NY, on map, calculate distance from Sleepy Hollow to their school, if applicable, review vocabulary list from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, read story aloud, and write...
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A Class Census

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students recognize that data represents specific pieces of information about real-world activities, such as the census. In this census lesson, students take a class and school-wide census and construct tally charts and bar graphs to...
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A Taste of Our Classroom

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars explore their classroom tastes. For this lesson plan, students list the four tastes that the tongue can detect, map the individual areas of taste on the tongue, and demonstrate the ability to identify objects through the...
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Endangered Species: Not Only Animals

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students research endangered animals and plants.  In this biology instructional activity, students are read Will We Miss Them? Endangered Species by Alexandra Wright before they begin searching for information to complete an...
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Where is Kansas?

For Teachers K
Students explore U.S. Geography by analyzing a map. In this state vs. country lesson, students utilize a U.S. map and locate the state of Kansas before researching the history and customs of the state. Students collaborate as a class to...
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Mining Riches

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and map how various mining ventures have changed local geographies and populations. First they read the article provided--Examining the Environmental and Social Impact of the Mining Industry.
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Follow the Leaders

For Teachers K - 12th
Students research the famous Alaskan Iditarod Dog Team Race. They read biographies of notable 'mushers', choose one of 70+ teams and track the daily mileage and location. They keep a journal to record their findings.
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Africa Falls Prey to H.I.V.

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use maps, statistics, and written texts to recognize the H.I.V. explosion in Africa.
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"The Big Lie" Response Journal

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders utilize a variety of reading and writing skills in completing social studies activities on "The Big Lie." students express their understanding of right and wrong actions based on the characters through a personal response...
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Pennsylvania Colony

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research the main reasons for the colonists moving to the Pennsylvania colony. They analyze maps, label a bubble map, list similarities/differences of immigrants then and now, and create a colonial newspaper advertisement.
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The Dip Felt Around the World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars share their opinions about a story about a sudden decline in China's stock markets. After reading an article, they identify the global impact of China's falling stock markets. They create a cause and effect map about the...
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Novel Guide for My Brother Sam is Dead

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the effects of war. In this American Revolution instructional activity, 5th graders read My Brother Sam is Dead and complete the provided comprehension, characterization, and vocabulary activities
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How To Make an Apple Pie And See the World

For Teachers K - 7th
Students define and discuss global interdependence. They read How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World and keep a list of the countries visited during the story and identify all of the productive resources and natural resource...