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Bird Up
Third graders identify basic physical and behavioral characteristics of birds and how they adapt to their environments. To organize and share scientific information with peers. They discuss similarities and differences among birds....
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Using GLOBE Data to Study the Earth System (College Level)
Students use the GLOBE Website to locate and study environmental data. They use the GLOBE Graphing Tool to display data. Students describe the role of solar energy in the annual fluctuations of soil moisture. They describe reservoirs and...
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I Need Some Help Here!
First graders describe what help seeds need to grow, including light, water, good soil, and warmth, observe and discuss what happens when seeds do not have help, and state similarities and differences among seed growth.
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Biodiversity in an Estuary
Students investigate the biodiversity in estuaries. In this estuary lesson plan, students use Google Earth to explore the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. They produce a biodiversity concept map and portray the life of a...
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Rain Forest Reporters
Students research and write articles for an imaginary scientific magazine about rain forests. In this rain forest lesson, students research both ecosystems and magazine writing styles. They act as reporters and editors of their own...
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The Heat is On!
Fifth graders investigate evidence for changes in matter that occur during a chemical reaction.
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Finding Magnetic Fields of Earth
Fifth graders, in groups, create paper bag "globes", complete with magnetic poles. They use compasses to determine and label various locations (N. and S. Poles, Prime Meridian, Equator, etc.) and finish it by drawing in the continents...
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Bug Hunt
Students study the characteristics of an insect and use their newly discovered knowledge to invent their own insect. They go on a class bug hunt, using the tools and supplies that biologists use when they go out in the field.
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To Protect and Preserve
Students discuss the impact of war on the Iraqi National Museum and the importance of protecting artifacts of cultural heritage. They write letters to the Milwaukee Public Museum to show support for funding for the protection of the...
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Living with Disaster: Mother Nature Rules
Students analyze various types of natural disasters and discover techniques man uses to live with nature and to control nature. They are able to identify ways that man has learned to predict natural disasters; identify ways that man has...
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Causes, Effects, Solutions
Young scholars research two key topics. In this environment lesson, students review the greenhouse effect and global warming. Young scholars form groups and research questions about these two topics. Students present their answers to the...
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Weather Forecast
Young scholars forecast the weather. In this weather instructional activity, students are assigned a day to give the weather forecast. Young scholars write a script and video their weather forecast.
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Marvelous Mixtures
Fifth graders design an experiment in which they separate mixtures. In this mixtures lesson, 5th graders define mixtures, solutions, solutes, and solvents. They watch a video, complete worksheets, and perform an experiment to separate...
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Identifying My Spider
Third graders navigate the Internet and research spiders. In this spider lesson plan, 3rd graders view photos of spiders and use their characteristics to determine the variety of spider. Students complete a spider data sheet.
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How Did Humans Evolve?
Students are introduced to four important fossil finds: the First Family, the Hadar Skull, Lucy, and the Laetoli Footprints. They explore how scientists interpret fossils to try to better comprehend how humans evolved. This activity...
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The Ladder of Life
Students explain the concepts of what DNA is and where it is located in a cell, identify the two types of molecules that make up the rungs of a DNA molecule and identify the two types of Purine and Pyrimidine molecules
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Exploring Space Fact
Students visit web sites to gather information about space and space exploration.
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The World's Water Woes
Students discuss their community's water sources and assess the factors affecting the water availability and quality. They research water disputes around the world and explain common factors among them.
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Dot to Dot: Patterns in the Night Sky
Sixth graders are introduced to several major constellations and locate them in the night sky. They graph the constellations on grid paper and work in groups to research common myths and stories associated with specific constellations.
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Electricity and Magnets
Fifth graders find examples of magnets in or around their homes and make a list. They discover that some motors use magnets and make a simple motor using magnets, a battery and copper wire. They add to their magnet list.
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Spear Point Production
Students explore that prehistoric people had to have a good knowledge of the physical world around them in order to choose the best material for spear production. They also explore that prehistoric people were intelligent beings who...
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Students understand the process of recycling. They investigate how it improves the environment. They read the story "Don't Pollute" by Stan and Jan Berenstein. They analyze trash and sort it into bins.
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Seasons Culminating Activity
Students develop a PowerPoint presentation as the culminating project in a unit on seasons. They complete a KWL chart, conduct Internet research, take an online quiz, and create a PowerPoint presentation using text, video clips, and...
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Frog and Toad Are Confusing
Third graders are introduced to the similiarties and differences between a frog and a toad. In groups, they compare and contrast them and identify distinguishing characteristics of each. They watch a video on the animals and answer...