Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rainforest Walk

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the characteristics and inhabitants of the rainforest. They demonstrate their ability to communicate using e-mail and create a class presentation of their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cracking the Genetic Code

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine an article, "Genome 'Treasure Trove'" and participate in a class discussion prior to researching further information in order to write their own feature article on the Human Genome Project.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Wild Family Album!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a scrapbook style family album for a selected animal. They complete an interactive Internet activity on research reports, fill out a graphic organizer, diagram a food web, and complete their scrapbook that includes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cold and Warm Blooded Animals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research facts about a cold or warm-blooded animal in order to designa report either as PowerPoint or word processed document. They use online resources and insert images in to the report. They include the specified criteria and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Gorges: Should Nature or Technology Reign?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students participate in a debate regarding the Three Gorges Dam in China. In this research skills lesson, students prepare for a debate regarding the construction of the Three Gorges Dam in China. Students participate in the dam taking...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electrifying Franklin

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research and present information about Benjamin Franklin's life and accomplishments. For this lesson on Benjamin Franklin, 4th graders review idioms and sayings written by Franklin then compare and contrast his various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genome: A Tour and Genetic Disorder Brochure

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use the Internet to gather information about genetics, then research a genetic disorder. In this biology lesson, students listen to an interview with a geneticist, watch an animation of "chromosome coiling", then research and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We're Going on an Animal Safari!

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students take viewers on an animal safari. In this technology activity, students research animals one would see on an African safari. Students collaborate to create a storyboard and use Flip Video Cameras to create a virtual safari. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dealing with DNA Controversy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils research controversial statements about biological applications and write a persuasive essay. In this biology lesson plan, students are assigned a controversial statement as a research topic, then they use this topic to create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sustainability Project

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore alternative energy sources. For this environmental lesson, students discuss alternative energy sources and construct a plan to incorporate an alternative home technology into a bedroom. Learners build a model of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Lazy River To Deep Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Student investigate the lock and dam system of the Mississippi River by creating one for the class to observe. The experiment is completed in conjunction with research bring compiled from different resources for a research project.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cells: A project in 3-D for Special Needs Students

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use the internet to research information about cells in order to create a 3-D model of a cell. They may choose either to research a plant or animal cell. Students locate and identify the parts of a cell and build a 3-D mode.
Lesson Plan
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Channel Islands Film

Island Rotation: Lesson Plan 4

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Foster's Rule? Allopatric speciation? After watching West of the West's documentary Island Rotation, class members use Venn diagrams to compare endemic species on the Channel Islands with mainland related species. They then create a...
Lesson Plan
Channel Islands Film

Magic Isle: Lesson Plan 1

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
What are the factors that limit growth and expansion? As part of their study of Catalina Island, class members view the West of the West's documentary Magic Isle and research William Wrigley and the Santa Catalina Island Company. After...
Lesson Plan
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Channel Islands Film

Human Impact on the Food Web of Santa Cruz Island

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What happens when a non-native species is introduced onto an island? Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Island chain located off the coast of southern California, provides the perfect laboratory for young environmental scientists to...
Lesson Plan
Consumers Energy

The Cost of Electricity

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
How much is your toaster costing you every day? Young environmentalists calculate the monetary costs of household appliances based on their average consumption of wattage.
Lesson Plan
EduGAINs

Go Eco! Ecosystems

For Teachers 7th - 10th
How is a movie theater like a desert biome? Compare systems to ecosystems with a set of activities that focuses on accessing multiple intelligences and building upon knowledge. As learners discuss the ways elements of an ecosystem depend...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cryosat Mission

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Beginning with general information on satellites and seasons, concluding with polar ice and the Cryosat Mission, this worksheet gives your earth scientists an opportunity to conduct some research. Most of the assignment consists of short...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Pop Art Imagery to Inspire Healthy Eating

For Teachers 8th
Create a visual art project about obesity. In this art lesson, 8th graders research and explain the importance of eating healthy and exercise. They document their eating habits in their journal and analyze it.
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Poetic Reflections

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Poetry is a wonderful way to explore language, express topical understanding, and incite creative thinking. After a trip to the local natural history museum (or zoo), learners write an acrostic or a cinquain poem describing one of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Publication Project

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders publish a magazine during a ten week marking period. They make individual contributions to the group project that is based on career choices. They write and publish articles, poems, entertainment pieces, and a play that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Looking for a cross-curricular project for language arts and science? Use this lesson plan to reinforce knowledge of the Solar System, as well as expository writing skills. Elementary and middle schoolers choose one aspect of the Solar...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biology Career Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students select a biology-related career for research. They use school and community resources to gather information for this career. Students complete a college application. They share their findings with classmates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are You Sure You've Got the Right Answer?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young researchers work through the research cycle. They question, plan, gather, sort, synthesize, and evaluate the materials they collect at the library. There are web supplements for this instructional activity.