Eighth graders explore and discuss the various space exploration missions.  In this space mission lesson students work in pairs and create a PowerPoint presentation on the contributions of space exploration missions. 

What tools do archaeologists and anthropologist use to learned about what life was like in the past. After watching West of The West's documentary Once Upon a Time that details how scientists use artifacts to establish a...

The cat might have got your tongue, but you can’t avoid the elephant in the room while you wait for the other shoe to drop. After all, the early bird gets the worm and the chickens are circling. After researching Poet Laureate Kay Ryan...

Students examine pieces of art from the 19th century. They discuss the role of Spanish missions in California as well. They write an essay describing the paintings.

Young biologists discuss the reasons behind the current use of the plant identification system. They get into groups and identify the characteristics of each species of plant which is described. The keys needed for groups to make...

Students determine how Spanish-speaking blacks and English speaking blacks were treated differently. In this emancipation lesson, students compare the Mexican and American rules regarding slavery.     

Three, two, one, blast off to a better understanding of force and motion with this exciting science lesson! Beginning with a discussion about rockets and gravity, young scientists go on to complete a series of worksheets about net...

Student's identify one's values. They go over definition and function of mission statements. Middle schoolers are explained the first steps in identifying one's values. They discuss the etymology of the word "values." Students pair up...

Students identify and label the different parts of a robot, rover, or a spacecraft. They discuss and record all of the features their robot will need to accomplish its mission and be able to explain why they chose these features to...

Pupils participate in a live simulation of traveling through space as part of a large science unit. They are encouraged to go into the community and ask for participation from parents and relatives. Students reflect upon their own...

What was the most significant tool used by the Chumash? How did the environment make the tool possible? What group behaviors allowed the Chumash be be successful for thousands of years? After watching West of the West's documentary Once...

Students examine how the European voyages of discovery influence American culture even today. They map eighteenth century Europe's impact on the United States.

Students use a series of hands-on labs and activities, practice problems, discussions and writing assignments, students investigate about fertilizer chemistry as they break compounds into ions, make a fertilizer and test various...

Students create an illustration board and Explain symbols in illustration board. They find What Do You Stand For cards and one piece of candy on each desk. Students are instructed not to eat the candy. They find others with similar...

Whether you are viewing a landscape painting of a farm, examining a still-life portrait of a bowl of fruit, or reading a descriptive poem about cultivating food, you can't deny that agriculture plays a major role in visual and language...

Students take a field trip to the state capital, Sacramento. Using the Internet, they explain the physical and human geographic features of the area and discuss interactions between the people of California between the time of explorers...

Young scholars view and discuss historical documents regarding Native Americans and Californians prior to the gold rush in the 1940's. They complete a variety of activities designed to show what they have learned from these sources and...

Students study Mars and what it would take to man a mission there.  In this solar system lesson students view a video and complete an art activity in groups. 

Students play a role as a travel guide to Mars, they are broken up into groups or different roles.  In this exploratory lesson students play a role in helping travelers to Mars and create some kind of presentation, for example a...

Learners use a globe. In this geography and early settlements lesson, students learn about the settlement of missions and haciendas in New Mexico. Learners locate Mexico City and San Francisco on the globe and determine the distance...

Students examine the price of food over time. They analyze charts, perform math operations and compare and contrast data about the price of food. They complete worksheets while interperting the charts.

Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.

Students investigate the characteristics of a clay ball.  In this particles lesson students examine what happens to a ball of clay when it is dropped from different heights. 

A great way to learn to understand people and their environment is to study their folktales. Stories from China, Vietnam, India, Iran, Persia, and Palestine offer an opportunity for readers to investigate the cultures of Asia. A list of...