Curated OER
Gather the Stones!
Review how gristmills affected the lives of the Pennsylvania community. The class uses documents and pictures to explore the purpose of the gristmill. They simulate members of the community and write a paper about colonial forces...
Curated OER
Beyond the Beef
Middle schoolers investigate the various products derived from beef by-products. They read a handout, identify the items from the handout they use in their everyday lives, and list the products they have at home that come from beef cattle.
Curated OER
Different Tribes, Different Times
Second graders study the different types of Native American culture groups. They, in groups, visit four different work stations to examine various culture groups and complete a Corn Cycle worksheet.
Curated OER
Whose Buffalo?
Seventh graders examine how the Plains Indians vied with white commercial buffalo hunters for the millions of Great Plains buffalo. They create an illustrated broadside supporting the interests of either the Indians or the commercial...
Curated OER
Pre-Columbian Settlements and People
Fourth graders describe the social, political, cultural and economic life and interactions among the people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.
Curated OER
The Urban Explosion
Students investigate the uncontrolled development of the world's major cities. They define key vocabulary terms, view and discuss video excerpts, and complete a project that involves drawing a "perfect city," developing a plan to...
Curated OER
THE PLOW
Students create a time line. They research major events and advancements in the development of the plow. They describe and date at least ten major events and advancements in the development of the plow from prehistoric to present day....
Curated OER
Understanding Mayan Culture
Students 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...
Curated OER
Down, Dung and Dirty
Students observe the changes seen in succession and the biodiversity of a community through its species richness and evenness. They create a dung culture in a clear plastic cup from horse, goat or cow dung then observe the numbers of...
Curated OER
A Day on the Farm
First graders, with a collection of various art supplies, plant a seed to observe it growing and record specific data on a data record sheet. They create a collage from various magazines of ten different foods farm animals eat and make a...
Curated OER
Comparing the Impact of Multiple Uses
Students study multiple land uses and their effects on one another. They assess multiple land uses in National Forests and Grasslands and evaluate the effects of each use on all other uses. They develop a comprehensive list of human...
Curated OER
Living Organisms as Indicators of Pollutants in Fresh Water Ecosystems
Students observe the effects of pollution on living organisms. In this pollution lesson plan, students observe fresh water Hydra and look at their structures and movement. They place samples of pond and lake water on the Hydra and...
Curated OER
Maple Syrup Production
Students make their own maple sugar and learn about how it is made on a grander scale. In this maple sugar instructional activity, students make their own maple sugar and learn about evaporation and what labor is put into making it.
Curated OER
Hunters and Gatherers
Sixth graders participate in mapping and other activities to understand why ancient civilizations developed as they did. In this ancient civilization lesson, 6th graders recognize that there were three important climate zones and...
Curated OER
The Quicker the Better? Food Processing
Sixth graders evaluate the nutrition of various foods. In this healthy eating instructional activity, 6th graders discuss the processing of many common foods and what this means. Students identify and research unfamiliar ingredients in...
Curated OER
Graphing Toad/ Frog Respiration
Students measure respiratory rates on live toads, and the effect water temperature has on their findings. In this scientific method lesson plan, students record their findings and present them in a graph, comparing the results.
Curated OER
Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson
Learners discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers. In this environmental lesson, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on the...
Curated OER
Explore Efficient Energy Uses
For this energy worksheet, students explore different ways to conserve energy. They write a short description for each of the 10 methods presented.
Curated OER
Food Safety
Students recognize that safe food preparation is important to good health. In this food safety lesson, students participate in an activity students separate, clean, chill, and cook food safely. Students use Glo Germ to find where...
Curated OER
Mangrove Loss Faster than Land-Based Forests
Learners explore the reasons Mangrove forests are in jeopardy. In this lesson plan, students read an article that discusses specific facts on Mangrove forests, then complete numerous activities that reinforce the information, such...
Curated OER
Kansas Ponds, Lakes & Reservoirs
Students compare the ponds, lakes, and reservoirs of Kansas. In this geography lesson, students use Google Earth to research the different ponds, lakes, and reservoirs in Kansas. Students will discover that many of the bodies...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Cycles, Systems, and Webs
Fourth graders review the parts of the plant and their functions. In this plant lesson, 4th graders recognize that plants must transfer energy to make food. Students understand the interdependence of organisms in an...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Digestive System
Fourth graders simulate how the digestive system works. In this hands-on simulation, 4th graders complete six group activities that help students visualize how our body breaks down food into nutrients.
Curated OER
The Barn Owl Pellet
Seventh graders examine the factors that affect the number and types of organisms that an ecosystem can support. In this ecosystem instructional activity students study the barn owl and where it is on the food chain, then dissect...