Curated OER
How The Weather Effects Us
Students discover how weather affects their lives. They review the climates of Florida, Alaska and New York. They need choose the place they would most like to live in based on the climate of that state.
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United States v. Thomas Cooper --
High schoolers compare the Alien and Sedition Act to the First Amendment. They read and analyze a primary document and write a synopsis. They brainstorm challenges to the Government or President of the US.
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Hands On Biodiversity: Networking Students and Their Biomes
Students telecommunicate and use the US Mail to network students from five biomes in the United States in order to monitor water quality in each area. They have e-mail pals and exchange materials representative of themselves and their...
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Keeping Watch on Coral Reefs
Students view a tutorial on coral reefs then investigate corals under stress. In this Earth Science lesson students prepare a written report and explain the relationship between coral reefs and their zooxanthellae.
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Wildlife Variety Show: Biodiversity In Illinois
Eighth graders write a short report in first person about any plant or animal found on a list of Illinois species. They become the character of the plant or animal and give a short report describing the plant or animal.
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Science: Schoolyard Trees
Sixth graders choose specific trees to research while taking a nature walk around the schoolyard. They discuss tree and leaf parts and observe various types of leaves. After writing their reports, 6th graders present them to the class...
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American Economics after WWII
Students analyze the American culture after WWII. Through a variety of activities, students gain an understanding of ecomonics and prosperity in the US following WWII.
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Freedoms We Enjoy
Students compare lifestyles of the United States to another foreign country. In this social studies lesson, students use the information they previously researched on the Internet and publish a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate their...
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Creatures of the Sea
Fourth graders complete a two-month long unit on the physical characteristics of the oceans and animal environments. They create a "Creatures of the Sea" alphabet book in collaboration with a kindergarten class, conduct Internet...
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Aquatic Exotics
Young scholars identify and describe the aquatic exotic species found in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the species origins and discover their effects on native species in the area. They discuss how appropriate it is to...
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Dilations with Matrices
Math whizzes explore dilations. They use matrices to perform dilations centered at the origins of triangles and investigate the effect of scale factor on the size relationship between the pre-image and the image of a polygon. A link to...
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Chances Are
Upper graders examine the concept of probability. They collect data and create a bar graph. They must interpret the data as well. Everyone engages in hands-on games and activities which lead them to predict possible outcomes for a...
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Focus on Food Chains
Third graders collect and analyze data about food chains. They conduct Internet research about the habitat of a selected organism, write a narrative, and create a computer slideshow using Kid Pix computer software that illustrates the...
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Greek Inquiry Report and Presentation
Sixth graders choose from a list of researchable inquiry questions. They engage in all phases of inquiry/research process.
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Introduction to the Caribbean
Students examine the history and culture of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. They conduct research on Christopher Columbus, create a quiz, watch a video about Cuba, and write an essay comparing and contrasting Puerto Rico...
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Study of New York City
Fourth graders read A Cricket in Times Square and examine the essence of living in New York City. They examine subway maps and other resources concerning NYC and then complete several writing activities about the city. They also create...
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Bats -- Pests or Pals?
Fourth graders examine a bat and determine if it is a pest or pal. They identify three types of bats native to the state of Pennsylvania. They also identify the parts of a bat and write a report on the bat of their choice.
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US Presidents
Students work in small groups to analyze various presidential campaigns. In this presidential election lesson, students research election rules, candidates, and winners from 1900 to 2000. Students will create and present an oral report...
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How Music Motivates
Students form conclusions regarding the motivational effects of music on the mind during the Civil Rights era. In this Civil Rights movement activity, students describe how music motivates, describe the motivational role in freedom songs...
Classroom Law Project
How do we hire a President?
What are the job requirements for the office of president of the United States? What attributes should a candidate possess? Are the qualities needed to govern the same as those needed to win? What can an analysis of the...
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Making Connections
Fifth graders take part in activities that appeal to many learning styles (kinesthetic, verbal, etc...) to help them create a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast state and national government.
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Build a U.S. Strategy for Responding to the Crisis in Sudan
Students work together in groups to discover the situation in Sudan. They discuss what problems arise from helping a foreign country. They answer questions and watch a video as well.
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The Foreign Policies of Harry S. Truman
High schoolers read an article about the new interest in Harry S. Truman. In groups, they review his foreign policy decisions and how situations might have been different if he had made a different decision. They also examine the...