Agriculture in the Classroom
Design 'Y'er Genes
How do changes in DNA affect an organism? Scholars explore chromosomes, genes, DNA, and mutations by modeling the DNA of a strawberry. They build a DNA model, then manipulate it to show how changing the genes transforms the strawberry...
Read Write Think
Book Report Alternative: Rewind the Plot!
Have you ever looked for a new way to teach an old concept? Scholars thinking about the rising action of a story in a whole new perspective. However, Book Report Alternative: Rewind the Plot! challenges readers and allows for much...
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The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students compare and contrast the experiences of two survivors of the Great Fire of Chicago using a Venn Diagram.
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The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Young scholars examine documents describing the experiences of survivors of the Great Chicago Fire, and write condolence letters.
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Geography Grid
Fourth graders search a database to find images and scan and affix them on an 8-foot long map of the state of Illinois. They then use it as a basis for discussion.
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Working on the Railroad
Students plan a trip on the railroad. In this railroad creation and implementation lesson plan, students listen to the song "Working on the Railroad", make a map of where the track was laid and discuss the geographical...
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Take a Hike
In this geography skills activity, learners respond to 9 questions that require them to read topographic maps and interpret them. The topographic maps are not included.
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What is a River?
Students study the various types of bodies of water: rivers, oceans, lakes and ponds. They observe models of each and then use clues to discuss how they are alike and different. They imagine they have found a new planet and draw a map...
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Life Map
Students compose plans for their futures. For this writing lesson, students create life maps of past events and predict future events. They brainstorm events of their lives and decide which ones are most pertinent to the...
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Using Literature to Introduce the Five Themes of Geography
Students listen to a read aloud of "If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln". Using the text, they identify examples of the five themes of geography and write them down. Using a map, they plot the places mentioned in the book and sort facts...
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From Hypothesis to Conclusion...Reading Maps to Understand Proofs
Tenth graders explore the concept of proof. In this proof lesson, 10th graders work in groups to collectively write proofs for directions to places on a map. Students give directions to specific places in big cities such as from the New...
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Life of Lincoln
Young scholars describe the social and political life of Abraham Lincoln with a focus on his contributions and how they changed the United States of America.
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Hemingway Hangouts
Middle schoolers use printed maps and websites to estimate driving distances and plan routes to Hemingway's home. They visit several locations online and record facts about each location.They calculate, distances, driving time, and other...
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"I've Been Working on the Railroad" - Federal Land Grants and the Construction of the Illinois Central Railroad in Mid-nineteenth Century Illinois
Eleventh graders, in groups, design a self-sufficient community. Groups present the communities they've designed. They compare and contrast the communities presented. They research the theories of Johann Heinrich von Thunen online and...
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Let's Get the Facts!
Young scholars observe and demonstrate the process of summarization. They discuss the three steps of summarization, then silently read a National Geographic Kids News article. As a class they complete a semantic map of the article, and...
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Lincoln Home National Historic Site: A Place of Growth and Memory
Eighth graders study the history of Lincoln's home. In this American History lesson, 8th graders examine artifacts from his home to learn about his beliefs. Students participate in a webquest on Lincoln's home.
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Basics of the Korean War
Learners research the key players and major events of the Korean War. Students assigned in groups, research a country involved in the Korean War. Groups then bring their information to the whole groups to explain their country's...
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Building Texas: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lesson Plan
Seventh graders study the engineering projects that the US Army Corps of Engineers initiated during the development of Texas. They examine primary source documents that are in digital and print form, and identify US Army Corp of Engineer...
NASA
Tools to Study Tornadoes and Galaxies
Take your class on an intergalactic journey as they explore the galaxy and various meteorological events taking place in our atmosphere each day. Learners investigate electromagnetic waves and the Doppler Effect before gathering radar...
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How Far Did They Go?
Students create a map. In this direction and distance instructional activity, students come up with familiar places in the community and calculate the distances from these places to the school. Students create a map that displays these...
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Down on the Farm
Students are introduced to a map of an Illinois farm. They determine whether the map is of the past, present, or future by looking at features on the map. They also use the map to make a three-dimensional model.
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Railroad Idioms Art Lesson Plan
Sixth graders research railroad idioms. In this idiom lesson, 6th graders read through a glossary of different railroad idioms and their meanings. They illustrate a chosen idiom.
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Traveling Cat Flown Home to Family
Students locate Wisconsin and Belgium on a world map, then read a news article about a cat that stowed away on ship from the U.S. to Europe. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with map and vocabulary...
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Wild Habitats
Students research and Illustrate the natural habitats of giraffes and other animals imported into ancient Rome. They draw a map of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia and draw the animals that come from each region in their proper places.