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Prairie Plant Investigation
Students carefully observe prairie plants and record their observations in a science journal. They examine the root systems of grasses and flowers and surmise how these plants can grow together on the prairie.
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Tree Cookies
Students identify heartwood, sapwood, and a tree's annual rings, infer from a tree's rings what damage or stress might have occurred in its life, and make a time-line of human history that coincides with a tree's rings.
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The Magic School bus Inside A Hurricane
Students investigate the concept of a hurricane by using the cartoon series "The Magic Schoolbus" to simulate the fantasy of traveling through a hurricane. The instructional activity uses a KWL graphic organizer in order to guide student...
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Vocabulary Development
Learners utilize various vocabulary strategies. They use vocabulary logs to record strategies they have been taught, such as the Frayer Model (definition, picture, examples, non-examples), writing their own definitions, and using...
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Solar History
Using the sun's light as a source of energy is not a new concept. Give your environmental studies, engineering, or physical science class this list of how humans have used solar energy throughout history. Assign groups a certain time...
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Sunburns and Sore Muscles: Working to Save the Farm During the Great Depression
Fifth through eighth graders engage in a lesson in which they study working class people during the Great Depression. They work to develop an understanding of the economic developments in Arkansas during the 1930's. Learners access...
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Boundaries and People
Students map watersheds to find their boundaries. In this watershed activity students map and then give their "watershed address." Students show the trail from stream, larger stream to oceans. Students describe the...
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Aztec Floating Gardens
Aztecs created amazing hydroponic gardens called Chinampas, to grow their crops. Learners in grades k-7 engage in four mini-experiments to understand just how amazing floating gardens are. Tip: A perfect way to bring science into your...
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Getting t Know Theodore Roosevelt, Jane Addams, Booker T. Washington, and Woodrow Wilson
Young scholars study what reform means. In this social science lesson, students are put into small groups and create posters, oral reports, or role plays on the life and work of either Theodore Roosevelt, Jane Addams,...
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Milestones of Flight
Students identify significant milestones in the history of flight. In this aviation history lesson, students study various resource materials and construct timelines of significant achievements.
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Mixing It Up!
Third graders identify the different states of matter. In this science lesson, 3rd graders describe the different components of solutions and mixtures. They create emulsions, foams and suspensions in the lab.
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Shoot for the Moon
Second graders distinguish the different phases of the moon. In this astronomy lesson, 2nd graders study the history of its discovery and myths about its origin. They simulate how the moon's surface is illuminated by the sun.
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The Lifecycle of a Butterfly
Students study the life cycle of the butterfly. In this butterfly life cycle lesson, students examine and discuss a large diagram of the four stages of the butterfly life cycle. They read books and access web sites that extend their...
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Combating Corrosion
Study corrosion on bronze statues with a hands-on activity. As pupils place a penny in water with salt, they observe the changes in the penny throughout a period of a week. They then analyze the pre-conservation and the...
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“Leading Doctors Say…”
Seventh graders analyze how media and celebrities influence consumers. In this social studies lesson, 7th graders view different commercials and discuss their advertising techniques. They explain why celebrities are often used to give...
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Searching for Tomorrow's Energy
Fifth graders investigate energy. In this biology lesson plan, 5th graders will learn about energy, fossil fuels, and renewable and nonrenewable resources. Students will be participating in three lab activities which are described in...
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If These Walls Could Talk
Students compare Neoclassical objects from the Getty collection to American civic architecture of the time. They discuss the moral and political ideas of the Enlightenment and articulate how these art forms influenced democratic thought...
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Goddesses Are Personifications Too!
Young scholars explore the use of personification as a way of expressing ideals. They transfer this understanding to the present by creating an allegorical depiction of a contemporary ideal or value inspired by precedents in the...
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Neoclassical Influences
Students analyze neoclassical art. In this art history lesson plan, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the art produced during the Enlightenment.
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Sculpting a Message: From the Counter-Reformation to the Present Day
Students discuss persuasive messages in art. In this art history lesson, students research 17th- century European sculptures to find the messages given. They create their own sculptures and write press releases to explain their art.
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Pair the Plants: An Introduction to Scientific Names
Learners examine why plants have both common and scientific names, then complete the activity by matching each common plant name with its scientific name. They finish by working in cooperative groups to create an ABC of Plants class book.
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Environmental Limitations
Seventh graders study the environmental factors that affect population growth. In this biology lesson plan, 7th graders create a city following certain criteria. They present their posters in class.
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Debating the Bomb
High schoolers research how the development of the atomic bomb affected people in World War II, participate in a debate about the bomb's use, and investigate how it has affected people's lives since 1945.
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Understanding Mayan Culture
Learners study an ancient culture in Mexico whose people were called the Mayans. They compare certain aspects of Mayan culture with Ancient Egypt. They discuss why some other ancient cultures (Egypt and China) were able to survive for...