Lesson Plan
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Oral History and Multiculturalism

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students observe the human or personal side of history by assessing the background to the people in the community who are basically "living" historians. They compare the histories of different ethnic groups to identify areas of patterns...
Worksheet
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Characteristics of Plants

For Students 7th - 9th
In this characteristics of plants worksheet, students conduct an experiment on how a vascular plant moves nutrients to all its parts. They describe the difference between the celery leaf from sugar water and plain water. Students also...
Lesson Plan
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Area, Arithmetic and Algebra

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students model formulas for rectangles and squares. In this area, arithmetic and algebra lesson, students explore the formula for the area of squares and rectangles. They use squares to model the formula for the area and identify...
Lesson Plan
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In the Field with Salamanders

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students observe salamanders, take pictures of them, and classify them into an online format. In this animal classification lesson plan, students use collection materials and digital camera to photograph and observe salamanders. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Marshmallow Towers

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore geometry by completing a marshmallow activity in class. For this architecture lesson, students identify the jobs of civil engineers and architects while identifying different geometric shapes as well. Students utilize...
Lesson Plan
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Geometry Review Quiz

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students conduct a review that is done right before having a geometry quiz. They cover major topics that are part of the assessment. They use review cards as notes to pass to one another to reinforce the concepts before putting them away...
Lesson Plan
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Reasons for the Seasons

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders conduct and analyze a survey that explores public perceptions about the reasons for seasonal change. They measure the changing length of days, observe shadows and discuss how the Earth's axis of rotation affects the seasons.
Lesson Plan
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Project Geode

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars predict the appearance of a geode's internal structure based on its mass and density. They form a hypothesis based on the data they collect. They also identify common minerals found in Illinois.
Lesson Plan
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Forces and Motion-The Downhill Racer

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students calculate a toy car's velocity and acceleration. In this force and motion lesson, students build ramps and attach a dropper to a toy car, which is released down the ramp. Students calculate and graph velocity and acceleration...
Lesson Plan
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"Go-Car" Lab

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students construct a car based on directions given. In this physics lesson, students calculate average speed using distance and time information. They collect data and create a graph of distance vs. time.
Lesson Plan
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Nice Angle

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students experiment with paper, light, thermometers and measurement to explore how the Sun's angle affects the temperature on Earth.
Lesson Plan
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Counting Coins

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify the different types of coins. They practice buying objects in the classroom with their coins. They must use different combinations of coins in all situations.
Lesson Plan
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Gases

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders work with gases to determine what the effects of temperature are on volume and air pressure by working with balloons. Also, they experiment with vinegar and baking soda. They predict the outcomes of these experiments, and...
Lesson Plan
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Habits of Mind

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students study tree leaves to complete the activity, In this tree leaf experiment lesson plan, students observe, measure, and sort tree leaves individually, in groups, and in relationship to the entire tree.
Lesson Plan
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Halloween Graphitti

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students complete multi-curricular activities in a Halloween themed instructional activity. In this Halloween instructional activity, students examine newspaper ads to find prices of pumpkins and use them to complete a stem and leaf...
Lesson Plan
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Robot Area

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students calculate the area of different polygons. In this geometry lesson, students explore polygons based in their shape and number of sides. They find the formula for the area and use each specific formula for each shape.
Lesson Plan
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Water Cycle: Weather Lesson 1

For Teachers 1st
First graders go on a water walk, collect weather data, and measure rainfall for a month. They examine the water cycle in this series of lessons.
Lesson Plan
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We're Batty

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students watch a video about bats and compare and contrast them to birds. They identify the specific characteristics that identify bats as mammals and what makes them unique from other mammals.
Lesson Plan
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Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young: Exploration of Live vs. Recorded

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the differences between live and recorded music using the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
Lesson Plan
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Universal Proportions: Earth and Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create scale models of Earth, the Moon, and the distances within the universe. Working in groups, they construct their models of Earth and the Moon on a scale of 50:1 and calculate how far apart to place their models. They...
Lesson Plan
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Chemical or Physical?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders make observations of the reactions that happens between calcium carbonate and various liquids. During the experiment the students determine if there is a chemical change, a physical reaction, or no reaction when they mix...
Lesson Plan
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On the Microbe Trail: Bacteria and Aseptic Technique

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students pour, label, streak, seal and store plates in an incubator. They identify areas in their environment that provide a rich fauna of microbes once they have been swabbed. They identify areas of contamination through a laboratory...
Lesson Plan
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Balancing the Scales: Understanding Ratios

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students are introduced to the concept of ratios. In groups, they convert sets of numbers into a ratio. After practicing, they use the ratios and proportions to solve story problems. They also calculate map distances and discover map...
Lesson Plan
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Pi

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders read the book "Sir Cumference and Knights of the Round Table" to introduce them to the concept of Pi. As a class, they discover where Pi originated and define the terms circumference, radius and diameter. To end the...