Curated OER
Doubles: Japan and America's Intercultural Children
Students experience issues of intercultural children born as a result of the Occupation of Japan by American soldiers. They reflect on how these experiences and issues might be relevant to our own lives. Task cars are available to print...
Curated OER
Be a River Pioneer!
Students role-play as pioneers in Illinois river towns. They research and choose a home town and participate in the development of the town. They present their simulation in either a written report or visual presentation.
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Illnois River and Lake Mussel Habitat Diorama Activity
Students identify the environmental elements of river and lake mussels. They compare the elements to the time before settlement and during industrialization. They also participate in a field trip to a mussel exhibit.
Curated OER
Mussel Anatomy Lesson Plan
Students identify the parts and functions of a mussel. They explain how its physical adaptations help it survive in its habitat. They label the parts as a quiz to complete the lesson.
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GeoHunt
Students describe the difference between geological resources and othe natural resources. They list the rocks, minerals, and fossil fuels that are found in Illinois and their uses. They identify ways to conserve natural resources.
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Sedimentary Rocks
Students discover how sedimentary rocks form. They identify different examples of sedimentary rocks. They also discover what types of rocks are in Illinois soil.
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Sediment Sleuths
Students classify sediments based on their physical characteristics, such as size, shape and color. They identify and describe rocks and minerals that are common to their region of the state.
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Rocks, Rocks & More Rocks
Second graders work together to examine different types of rocks. They sort rocks according to their characteristics and properties.
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Vocabulary of Ancient Rome (Grades 6-8)
Students define ancient Roman vocabulary using the dictionary writing sentences. They write sentences for each word that use the words in their original and contemporary contexts.
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Igneous Rocks
Young scholars perform experiments in which they grow crystals. They draw pictures of where each type of rock originates from. They also identify igneous rocks by using a chart.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Pumpkins... Not Just For Halloween
Celebrate fall with four pumpkin themed hands-on activities! After learning about pumpkins, scholars complete two activity sheets that reinforce estimation and word problems. They then plant pumpkin seeds and bake a pie in...
Illinois State Board of Education
Common Core Teaching and Learning Strategies
Here's a resource that deserves a place in your curriculum library, whether or not your school has adopted the Common Core. Designed for middle and high school language arts classes, the packet is packed with teaching tips, materials,...
Curated OER
The Great Chicago Fire: The O'Leary Hearing
Students dramatized the O'Leary hearing regarding the Chicago fire using the transcript from the original hearings as a script.
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Trappers Then and Now
Students study how trapping in the Illinois Territory in the 1800's effected the beaver population in the state. They compare methods, rules and regulations of the 1800s to those of today. In groups, they research a variety of...
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Coin Connections
Students examine the Illinois state quarter and review Lincoln and the fact that he is also on the penny. They color paper coins, identify their values, and create a money mobile. They play a Cent Sense game to practice which coins are...
Curated OER
Time, Talent, Treasure, and Economics
Students examine and trace the origin of an item of clothing. They write, illustrate, and publish a book describing the trade flow that brought their item of clothing to the United States.
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Modern Mosaics
Learners create individual mosaics to decorate the classroom. They explore the elements of shape, texture, color, and pattern by identifying how the artist manipulated tesserae to create the mosaic.
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Modern Mosaics (Grades 6-8)
Students explore the elements of contrast, emphasis, pattern, and color schemes by identifying how the artist manipulated tesserae in the mosaic. They create original mosaics by manipulating torn paper to depict different textures and...
Curated OER
Grocery Aisle Signs and Locating Items
Students engage in lesson that is intended to help those who have mild disabilities with life skills. They focus upon the practice of shopping and finding items located in the grocery store. Students view a slideshow with different store...
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Dred Scott v. Sandford
Young scholars examine the issues of slavery and due process. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Dred Scott v. Sandford and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Corn: An A-maizing Plant
Students explore the corn crop. In this farming lesson, students identify which states are in the corn belt and read about the history of corn, its uses and its development and growth. Students dissect a corn kernel. Students discuss the...
Curated OER
Before Dred Scott: Freedom Suits in Antebellum Missouri
Young scholars examine and analyze original documents that enhance understanding of antebellum slavery in Missouri and a particular method of gaining freedom: the freedom suit.
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Engineering: Simple Machines
Fourth graders participate in activities to examine how simple machines help build things. They identify the six types of simple machines. They discover how simple machines where use historically to build pyramids and how they are still...
Curated OER
An Upbeat West Side Story: Puerto Ricans and Postwar Racial Politics in Chicago
Tenth graders read an article about the migration of Puerto Ricans to Chicago. As a class, they identify the barriers the immigrants faced regarding employment and separation from family members. To end the instructional activity, they...