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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Water Crisis

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Assign ecologists one of five countries that struggle with access to clean water. They research the water crisis in that country and then present information to classmates. A handout was designed for each country, and a worksheet on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waste Watchers

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Energy-aware learners conduct an audit on their electricity usage by recording their electric meter reading and assessing the thermostat, light bulbs, windows, and water heaters in their homes. In class, they analyze results and discuss...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Owns Water

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners role play how water is allocated to different holders of water rights. In this ecology lesson, students identify the different water rights available. They explore problems associated with water use including drought, degraded...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decision Making a Mock Town Meeting on a Proposed Tank Farm

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify the potential hazards to the water supply. In this ecology lesson, students role play a town hall meeting to discuss the proposal of a storage tank construction in their place. They present their arguments and vote on a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Exploration of Wind Energy and Wind Turbines

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How is wind produced and is it a good source for energy production? Get some air moving in your class. Learners take a pre-test, watch a demonstration of how electricity can be generated by wind energy, test different turbine factors for...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transportation Fuels: Biodiesel

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Students examine biodiesel as a fuel for transportation.  In this biodiesel lesson students complete activities using their critical thinking.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Definitely for high schoolers, this lesson is an open-ended exploration of energy efficiency. Groups of two to three junior environmental engineers design an experiment to test for efficiency. They prepare a full lab report and poster...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Apple Estimation: Percentages & Subjective Reasoning

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students practice using their estimation skills by utilizing apples.  In this percentage lesson, students utilize a scale and an apple to discover the percentage of each bite they take.  Students share their data with the rest of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African-American Iowans: History, contributions & Accomplishments.

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore lives of African-Americans in Iowa. Students will examine biographies and discuss perspectives of African-Americans. They will then create posters illustrating elements of those lives finally, putting on a five act...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The City Inside a Cell

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare cell structure to the structure of a city. In this cell structure lesson, students investigate differences and similarities between cell structure and city structure. Students create a 3-dimensional, edible model of a cell.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Grow a Cactus Indoors

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students plant a cacti. In this desert plants lesson, students identify the needs of a plant and meet those needs by planting and caring for cactus.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Bark and Leaf Rubbings

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore natural resources by creating art from plant materials. For this leaf rubbings lesson, students identify the plants that shed bark and leaves and discuss how it helps them survive in specific environments. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Willie the Worm

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore Earth science by participating in a compost activity in class. In this worm lesson, students discuss the importance of worms in the creation of plants. Students cut out pieces from a print out to assemble a paper worm in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where's the Drip?

For Teachers K
Students detect water leaks. In this water conservation ecology lesson, students take a tour of the school grounds and identify sources of water and possible leaks. Students report leaks to the custodian and administration.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caps for Sale/Color Words

For Teachers K
Students read the book "Caps for Sale." Students model reading a sentence and using one color cap and the color word (written in its color). They match the color word (written in its color) to the correct color hat.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Problem Solving

For Teachers K
Students identify problem solving strategies and demonstrate the ability to make choices using those strategies. In this problem solving lesson plan, students are introduced to vocabulary and strategies by playing a hula hoop game, then...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research and write an author report on Roald Dahl, including books written by him, birthplace, family life, and other information on his writing. Students read aloud chapters in the book. Students create a newspaper...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keyboard centers with Music You Can Read

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students play the letters provided in the format "Keyboard/Xylophone/Tone Bells" with the intention of using the "Music Only" format as skills progress. They study fingerings and chords when appropriate to skills.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conic Sections

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students, while using a graphing calculator, graph systems of conic sections as well as identify their solutions. They complete various word problems dealing with conic sections with their calculators. In addition, students sketch graphs...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Health: Snacks and Safety for Children

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Pupils discover how to prepare healthy snacks for children. In addition, they discuss food allergies and assess cooking hygiene. Part of this three-day lesson, includes a Powerpoint presentation covering safety measures both in and out...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poe ... in the Real World?

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders work in groups to choose a project/presentation from a list of approved activities to develop. They select and use appropriate software for organizing and refining their product. Groups produce a short...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mystery of the Shoe Box

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders do the work of historians. In this world history lesson, 6th graders examine the artifacts and handouts in mystery boxes that their teachers prepare. Students collaborate to solve the mystery of their assigned boxes as they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Health & Safety

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the standards for health in the child care system. After watching a PowerPoint presentation, they plan healthy snacks for children. To end the lesson, they review the proper safety measures to have in their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Far Away is a Tropial Rainforest?

For Teachers K
Students explore how far a rainforest is from their home. In this rainforest lesson students examine how far they live away from the rainforest. Students use the length of their school day to compare how long it will take to travel to...