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2.2: Sedimentary Rocks
Second graders discuss the geologic rock cycle and work with their group to simulate creating a sedimentary rock. They conduct an experiment that demonstrates the sedimentary process and draw the steps of the rock cycle.
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Weaving with Seed Beads on a Bead Loom
Young scholars describe, and try, the process of weaving and demonstrate how Native Americans and others wove beads on a loom to create long, narrow bands for hair and bracelets.
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Iran Hostage Crisis: Reading Primary Documents
Following brief instruction about the Iran Hostage Crisis during Jimmy Carter's presidency, small groups read three-page sections from the diary of hostage Robert C. Ode. They write editorials from the perspective of either U.S. citizens...
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Mussel Anatomy Lesson Plan
Students identify the parts and functions of a mussel. They explain how its physical adaptations help it survive in its habitat. They label the parts as a quiz to complete the lesson.
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Mighty Minerals
Students investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of minerals. They make a list of the uses of minerals found in Illinois. They write a report individually based on their observations.
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Illnois River and Lake Mussel Habitat Diorama Activity
Learners identify the environmental elements of river and lake mussels. They compare the elements to the time before settlement and during industrialization. They also participate in a field trip to a mussel exhibit.
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Beautiful and Sublime Landscapes
Students examine images created by painters, and create an artistic rendition of the landscape in the photograph following the chosen aesthetic.
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Ride the Rock Cycle
Students examine the steps of the rock cycle. They describe what happens to the rocks in each of the stages. They participate in a rock cycle game to help them with the steps.
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Interdisciplinary Web Quest: Flower Symbolism
Students identify flowers and their symbolism in art, literature, and design as they appeared in Victorian times from 1850 to 1900, as exemplified in furniture, quilt, paperweight, embroidery, and other designs. They create a simplified...
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Spider Anatomy Lesson: Is It a Spider?
Students review information on a website which shows different types of spiders. They sort images of spiders from other insects. They create their own spider out of materials and share them with their classmates.
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Igneous Rocks
Second graders examine igneous rocks in this lesson. They discuss the rock cycle and how rocks form. They also explore volcanic activities and build their own volcano.
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Sediment Sleuths
Students classify sediments based on their physical characteristics, such as size, shape and color. They identify and describe rocks and minerals that are common to their region of the state.
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Spider Poems: The Spider and the Fly
Students review the information they gathered on different websites to write a poem about spiders. They use other websites to gain more information if needed. They share their poem with the class.
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The Spider and the Fly
Students incorporate the knowledge they learned about spiders on the ISM Web site, Spider Collection, and other Web sites they viewed on
spiders to write a rhyming poem (possibly choosing a poem type illustrated here) about an aspect of...
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Exploring Uses of Rocks and Minerals
Students explore the uses of rocks and minerals. They make observations to identify objects from the present and past are made out of rocks.
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Heartfelt/Handmade Activity: Hand-Molded Pottery
Students view and discuss examples of pottery. They discuss how pottery has always been made by hand and use a ball of clay to roll and shape into a form of their choice.
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Plant Adaptations
Young scholars identify parts of prairie plants. They sketch the plants indicating its adaptive parts and write brief descriptions of them. They present their findings to the class.
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Side by Side: Butterfly Wings and Symmetry
Students observe butterfly images and then draw and paint their own design. They use this activity to explain symmetry.
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Sorting Rocks
Students devise a rock word web and sort rocks by applying the categories they discuss.
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Minerals- the Building Blocks of Rocks
Students investigate how rocks are composed minerals by dissecting rock cookies.
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Rocks and Minerals- Uses Past and Present
Students investigate the use of rocks in past and present societies. They examine how important rocks are.
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Landforms of Illinois
Young scholars discover the primary landforms of Illinois. They examine how those landforms were formed as well. In groups, they research one of the landforms from their vocabulary list. They create their landform in a shoebox and...
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War, What is it Good for?
Eighth graders examine aspects of the American Civil War related to West Virginia. In this research skills lesson plan, 8th graders collaborate to research Civil War topics and create electronic portfolios that feature their findings.
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Ojibwa Sewn Bead Designs
Students research the Ojibwa beading design. They create their own beading necklace or bracelet.