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Simple Machines, Engines and the Environment

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders calculate the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane. In this physics lesson, 4th graders identify the different types of simple machines and their uses. They give examples of compound machines.
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Think Before You Drink

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the different water issues facing society today. In this environmental science lesson, students research about water treatment methods. They brainstorm ways to conserve water.
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Art of Mask Making

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students make an African mask.  In this culture and heritage lesson, students view samples of African masks and learn about the importance of these masks.  Students visit the African Art Museum website to view the styles of...
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Philanthropy in History

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students understand the importance of books in past and present societies. For this philanthropic lesson, students compare Andrew Carnegie and Benjamin Franklin's perspective on the importance of everyone being able to read. Students...
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Chameleons Are Cool!

For Teachers 2nd
Have your learners review what they know about camouflage using this lesson. Learners fill out a graphic organizer listing what they know or have questions about. This could be enhanced with the addition of a writing assignment in which...
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Career Planning and Research

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What do you want to do when you finish school? Most high schoolers have an idea of what they'd want to do, but little idea of how to achieve this goal. After researching a career of their choosing, learners identify qualifications,...
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Breaking Barriers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. In this African-American history lesson, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A...
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Poetry Creations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students produce iMovies to share their thoughts of friendship along with poetry creations in this technology-based lesson for the upper-elementary classroom. The lesson includes a link to a "create a poem" site and requires computers...
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Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the actions of the executive branch following the September 11th terrorist attacks. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch segments of a video titled "Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11." Students...
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Critic's Choice

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read three to five genres and choose one as a favorite. They write an essay persuading the class to read the genre. This lesson serves as a nice introduction to different styles of literature.
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Lessons of the Lorax

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read a story that is about the brown pelicans. Then they use the story narrative in order to apply it to the concept of adaptations in different species. The benefits of certain adaptations is examined.
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Butterfly Life Cycles

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students study the butterfly life cycle. For this interdisciplinary life cycles lesson, students study the life cycle of a butterfly, their migration habits, and the culture of the region in Mexico where butterflies migrate to in the...
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Supreme Court: Practice with Precedents 2010

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the term precedent in the court system.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research various court cases in history.  Students create a study chart that shows comparisons of these...
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Understanding the Election of 1800 and the Twelfth Amendment

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the election of 1800.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders summarize the events that made the election controversial.  Students advocate for a candidate during a short role playing...
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State of the Union Bingo

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners participate in a history game. In this State of the Union lesson plan, students follow the provided instructions and use the provided materials to play a Bingo game based in the President's annual address to Congress.
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Rising Air

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the concept of rising air in the formation of clouds and precipitation. In this rising air instructional activity, students conduct an experiment with hot and cold water that shows how warm water rises due to thermal...
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Jamestown Journey Part 3

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the economy of Jamestown. In this early settlers lesson, 4th graders read about the trade between the English and the natives in Jamestown. This lesson is part of a larger unit and coincides with the novel The Double...
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Washington and the Modern Presidency

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the precedents set by George Washington. In this presidential history lesson, 8th graders discuss the challenges Washington faced as president and how he shaped the presidency to suit his leadership skills....
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Opening Doors to Social Studies with Children's Literature: The Desert Alphabet Book

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students explore the geography of the United States. In this social studies instructional activity, students identify the major deserts on a map of the United States.
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The Education of Shelby Knox Lesson Plan: The History of Teaching About Sex

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the current debate over sex education. They examine a variety of sex education approaches and determine which one is use in thier school district.
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Newton Must have Been a Sports Fan

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine Newton's Laws. For this law of motion lesson, students observe Newton's three laws of physics demonstrated by the teacher. They apply other examples to Newton's first law of inertia.
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Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan:Launching the New U.S. Navy

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils demonstrate understanding of the issues related to the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution and the new Government it established.
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Great Blobs of Jelly!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how zoo-plankton have an impact on the global process.  In this ocean zoo-plankton lesson students calculate carbon flux and plankton densities. 
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Ocean Drifters

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students define terms, and identify three ways in which plankton are adapted for life in the open ocean.  In this ocean drift instructional activity students design a planktonic organism.