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The ABC's of DNA

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students describe genetics as if they were explaining it to a young child. After reading an article, they discover new discoveries in the human genome project. Using the internet, they research a pair of genetic terms and develop a...
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Eye on the Storm

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discover the way geologists collect information about past hurricanes to determine patterns that may help with storm prediction. They then research the history of natural disasters in different regions of the United States and...
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The Legacy of Emerson and Thoreau

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders are introduced to Transcendentalism through the writing of Emerson and Thoreau. They keep a journal in which they respond to quotes and prompts. Students write longer essays on conformity, being alone and a "field...
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How Do You Measure Up

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the concept of heart rate and how it is effected by environmental stresses like exercise. They conduct research readings and evaluate the data to form a hypothesis to initiate class discussion about the information.
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Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students gain a greater comprehension of the anatomy and physiology of the muscular system, the skeletal system and connective tissue by researching joints in the body. They also reflect on the effects of injuries on their joints and...
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You Too Can Haiku

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students conduct Internet research and explain the history of Haiku. After listening and reading various examples of Haiku, students use their own vocabulary and practice their math skills to determine the correct number of syllables...
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Far Out!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and compare/contrast how routine tasks on Earth would be without gravity. They read and discuss the article "The Life Galactic: A Lot of Work, a Little Play, Plenty of E-Mail." In groups they write a pitch for a TV...
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Executive Branch of the U.S. Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a K-W-L chart of what they know about the executive branch of government. They access the Internet to research a specific level of government. They create a PowerPoint presentation with a minimum of eight slides.
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Flights of Fancy?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars reflect on the dynamics of human flight and how objects fall through the air and how science principles are used in flight. They create a How-It-Works poster diagramming the science behind one method of flying. In...
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Gotta Dance

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share dance moves that reflect their personalities or depict how they are feeling, explore popularity of recreational and competitive social dancing by reading and discussing the article "Follow the Flying Feet," present...
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In Search of Truce

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the relationship between a country's political and social history and its position today. They study 8 African countries immersed in the present conflict in Congo. They present their findings.
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"Pressing" Issues In Zimbabwe

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the nature of freedom of the press through examining a story about the capture and torture of journalists in Zimbabwe. They participate in a round-table discussion of the issues. They research an African country of their...
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Drums of War

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research the political climate prior to major American wars of the past, then reflect on the current call for power to confront Iraq. They create posters using newspaper articles and headlines to highlight the major opinions of...
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The East Africa Times

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars work in teams as editors to design the front page of a newspaper covering a country in east Africa. They individually research and write articles that define modern life for the country's citizens.
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Can Justice Be Taylor-Made?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine and discuss a quotation used as a slogan for Liberia's former president Charles G. Taylor. After reading an article, they consider the allegations against Taylor. In groups, they research a time period of his life and...
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My Way or the Highway

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars read "Saudis Uneasily Balance Desires for Change and Stability" from The New York Times and discuss Saudi Arabia as it considers a change from monarchy to democracy. Students work in groups to research and create timelines...
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What's Eating Titanic?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers, in groups, research the bio deterioration of the Titanic. They write a report focusing on the rusting of the Titanic and estimate the amount of time it will take for the Titanic's bow section to completely dissolve.
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Declarations of Independence

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine what they know about American Indians past and present, then research key issues facing American Indian tribes today. To synthesize their learning, students write letters taking the perspective of an American Indian.
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Performance Poppers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the controversies surrounding the use of performance-enhancing supplements in sports by interviewing athletes and writing feature articles that compare the skills required to compete in different sports.
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Political Puzzles

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate how different liberal democracies around the world organize their governments and decide major policies. They compare their findings to the American political system, using examples of current political issues.
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A Colony is Born : Lesson 6 -To Leave or Not to Leave

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders connect reasons for coming to the New World with identity. The create identities and place them in one of three settled regions. They refer to prior study notes in their Colonial Notebooks to establish their identities.
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Our Robots, Ourselves

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students imagine how they might use a robot in their daily lives, explore advancements in artificial intelligence, investigate robotic technology under development, and prepare posters that show how robotic technology might be...
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A Historic Gamble

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore and evaluate the economic impact of legalized gambling on Native American Indian communities. They draft short, persuasive speeches that take the perspective of a tribal elder appearing at a town council meeting.
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Revolutionary War, Timeline and Causes

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore important events leading up to the Revolutionary War. In this Revolutionary War instructional activity, 3rd graders work in pairs to research dates and important events prior to the Revolutionary War. Class...