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Cloud Watchers
Second graders read "The Cloud Book" by Tomie dePaola to jumpstart their cloud study. They offer examples of liquids, solids, and gases and chart them. They observe the making of a cloud in a demonstration. They discuss and draw...
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Project Geode
Young scholars predict the appearance of a geode's internal structure based on its mass and density. They form a hypothesis based on the data they collect. They also identify common minerals found in Illinois.
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Dissect with Respect
Students, through exercises and discussions, examine ethics involved in the process of choosing and using laboratory animals, respect for the animal they dissect and how to behave in an ethical manner as they dissect various lab specimens.
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The Synthesis of Some Organic Compounds And Their Representative Structures
Students examine how to represent organic compounds three-dimensionally. They write a synthesis reaction for three demonstrations, and construct a three-dimensional structure using a molecular modeling set.
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A Colorful Rainforest
Students are introduced to the various types of birds that make their home in the tropical rainforest. In groups, they use a template of a tropical bird and use color to identify each physical feature. They use the internet to research...
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Rusting and the Scientific Method
Students observe the oil can scene with the tin man from a clip from "The Wizard of Oz" and answer the question, "What can we learn about rust from this scene?". They take 2 tubes and 2 nails, adding 1 salt packet to 2 ml of distilled...
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EGG-cellent POLYMER PACKAGING DESIGN
Students investigate the concept of a polymer using an experimental design of protecting an egg in a bookbag. They test the properties of polymers and form an educated solution to the proposed problem. Then they describe the steps used...
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Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD):A Case Study Using the Film
Students study the genetic disorder Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) by viewing the film "Lorenzo's Oil". They complete a summary of the movie and answer questions while viewing the movie. Extensions activities also included.
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Rain Forest Stencils
Fourth graders explore animals of the rain forest. They create a drawing of an animal in the rain forest. Students research the animal and write a paragraph about the animal. They use a stencil to create a picture of a rain forest animal.
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Lesson 6: Resonance
Students participate in a lab activity using three tuning forks of different frequencies and a Resonance Tube Set purchased from Sargent-Welch to take measurements of resonant lengths of the tuning fork frequencies. Students then try to...
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Earth's Hydrologic Cycle
Young scholars examine the water cycle. In this hydrologic cycle lesson plan, students follow the provided procedures to demonstrate the how water moves around the planet through the dynamics of the water cycle.
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Solar System: Let's Take a Trip
Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will contribute...
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Attenuation of Light in Water
Students explore what happens to light intensity as depth increases using a light intensity logger. They construct a PVC model to hold water and identify what factors could influence the amount of light attenuation.
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Measurement of the Depth of the Ocean
Students comprehend the physical properties of pressure and Boyle's Law by designing a depth gauge. They construct a capillary depth gauge and calculate the calibrated depth marks of the capillary tube. They determine the margin of error...
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Avalanche!
Students explain that when forces on an object are balanced, the motion of object does not change. They describe how an object changes its motion when forces on it are unbalanced. They plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test...
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Pendulum Patterns
Students identify the variables involved in the motion of a pendulum. In groups, they research how each different variable is related to the energy the pendulum produces. They share their results with the class and compare them with...
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Stellar Spectral Fingerprints
Pupils listen as the teacher introduces Newton's early discovery of the diffraction of light. They use multiple sources of light (fluorescent, incandescent, sunlight, etc) to bend the light. They first use a prism then a diffraction...
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Aquatic Ecosystems
Students study ponds and wetland ecosystems and examine the food chains and webs in them. In this aquatic ecosystems lesson students answer questions about the diversity of the flora and fauna in a pond.
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Changing Places
Students examine the experiences of immigrants coming to America from China. They create cultural profiles for themselves and others. They identify the reasons why people immigrate to another country.
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WHAT HOLDS US TO EARTH?
Learners they imagine they are Galileo and try to duplicate Galileo's experiments and results.
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WHY DO SOME THINGS FLOAT WHILE OTHERS SINK
Students explore how density can cause things to sink or float by experimenting with a jar, oil and corn syrup.
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pH of Household Products
Tenth graders are provided with a piece of paper such as index, art, construction, or computer coating it with a universal indicator. They use cotton swabs HCl and NaOH to draw a picture repeating the same process using lemon juice and...
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Curricular Correlations
First graders listen to prerecorded sounds and put them into categories. They discus the sounds that would be heard outdoors, and indoors. They go outside for a few minutes and take a "hearing walk." Then they come inside and close their...
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Developing a Theory About the Nature of the Contents of a Sealed Box
Students observe the changes of a closed chemical system. They record and analyze the data as they manipulate the system. They answer questions to end the lesson.