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Readers Theatre: Presenting Historical Events Through Theatre

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students examine historical events. In this lesson on the US Constitution, students engage in a theatrical exploration of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They also engage in an extensive discussion, complete worksheets and draft...
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U.S. Involvement in WWI – The Zimmerman Note

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the significance of the Zimmerman Note. In this World War I lesson, students use the provided analysis sheet to analyze the contents of the Zimmerman note and discuss how the note led to U.S. involvement in World War I.
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Where Am I - Navigation and Satellites

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore geography by completing a navigation activity in class. In this satellite positioning lesson, students define terms such as orbit, satellite, GPS and triangulation. Students view diagrams of the Earth's orbit and...
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Recycling Who cares?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars participate in activities to understand the feelings of the community about recycling.  In this recycling lesson, students look at opposing views on recycling.
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Drawing Plants with Plant Studio Freeware

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students identify parts of plants by name and the relationship among these parts as they use Plant Studio Freeware Wizard and tools on the computer to draw a particular plant from life or from a picture.
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The Story of an Old Piano

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students read excerpts from The Story of an Old Piano. They choose a personal object and write paragraphs from the object's point of view. Their stories can be bound for the class library.
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From Smithson to Smithsonian: Who Was James Smithson?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students evaluate and examine primary and secondary source material as they relate to the life of James Smithson.In this "From Smithson to Smithsonian" lesson, students analyze documents looking for clues to the identity of James Smithson.
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Thermo and Fluid Dynamics of a Homemade "Lava Lamp"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct their own lava lamp using simple substances. In this physics lesson, students explain how difference in density causes convection. They solve for forces and buoyancy using mathematical equations.
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I'm Thankful For...

For Teachers 1st
First graders engage in a lesson plan that demonstrates the character trait of thankfulness. The teacher enthusiastically shares something to be thankful for with the class. Then they spend the time to draw an idea of something to be...
Lesson Plan
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New Year's Resolution

For Teachers K - 12th
Students brainstorm ways they can reduce their energy consumption and then create New Year's Resolutions with their families to put these conservation plans into action.
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The ABC'S of Anything

For Teachers K - 8th
Students practice using reference and other materials to identify and define related to a selected topic. They practice keyboarding skills while preparing definitions and senteces. Students participate in the use of FIRN to send and...
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Family Money Matters: Exploring the World of Economics

For Teachers Pre-K
Students become familiar with vocabulary related to spending money.  In this economics lesson plan, students participate in activities to learn about spending money and budgets.
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Fossils

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students discuss the work of a paleontologist and examine several fossils and books on paleontology. They use clay and Plaster of Paris to create a cast of an object and compare this activity to the formation of fossils in nature.
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Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students read "The Moon Seems to Change" and conduct an experiment with oranges to demonstrate the phases of the moon. They write about the experiment and describe each phase of the moon.
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Burial Ground

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students visit the burial ground at Huguenot Street and work in groups to calculate the average lifespan for a resident in the 1700's and one in the 1800's. They analyze the grave markers for further information.
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My Favorite Birthday Story

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Happy birthday! Pre-K and Kindergarten students bring in a photograph of their favorite birthday party. They get together in small groups and write about the birthday - with the help of adults. The stories and the photos are displayed on...
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Harriet The Spy

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the style of diary writing as its own genre of literature. They read Harriet The Spy in order to have a text for this literature study. Students use the skill of prediction to preview the story, and then...
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Endangered Species - Can We Help Them Survive?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students, in groups, select an animal that has been identified as endangered and then identify its characteristics. They discuss why the animal has become endangered, evaluate adaptations for its survival and include an illustration.
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Balloon Fun

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students conduct an experiment with balloons and skewers. They speculate the reasons for the balloon's reactions to the skewers and write about their observations.
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Statue of Liberty

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students discuss aspects of the Statue of Liberty and create their own personalized statue. Students use symbols to represent themselves in their own drawings of the Statue of Liberty.
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Return Intervals & Reasoning from Tabular Data

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars calculate derivatives from a set of data. In this calculus lesson, students estimate the limit at infinity. They complete a Return Interval handout at the end of the lesson.
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Enrichment Activities - "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read the novel "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." They discuss the various characters in the book, and the different types of conflict that take place within the book. They also research owls and rats to make comparisons...
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Native American Interdisciplinary Educational Unit

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students research various Native American stories and legends. They participate in reader's theater, write original legends, cook Native American foods, construct dioramas and view Native American art and artifacts.
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Stone Fox Plot Frame

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders recall the major plot points of a chapter book. After reading the chapter book "Stone Fox," they students describe the plot framework through use of a worksheet. Students are then divided into group to act out selected...