Middle Tennessee State University
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? A Comparison in American Culture
As part of their study of the Progressive Era, class groups examine a 20th century version of "The Three Little Pigs" through a New Era lens and identify how ideals such as the value of hard work, creativity, and problem solving, etc.,...
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What Masks Reveal
Students explore the cultural significance of masks by investigating the role they play in ceremonies and on special occasions in societies from widely separated regions of the world.
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Changing Perspectives on the Japanese Internment Experiment
Students discover the characteristics of Japanese internment during World War II. They discuss racist policies and use the internet to gather information to write their own version of history. They write essays from different points of...
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Teaching About Asia; Freeman Seminar
Young scholars integrate the study of photography and Eastern Culture for the purpose of increasing artistic expression. They produce high quality photographs in conjunction with conducting research with meaningful writing produced with...
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Grooming Is A Good Thing
Students construct fly traps, collect house flies, and observe the flies grooming. They compare/contrast the fly's grooming techniques with their own. They develop a good grooming habits chart.
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Good Habits Grow in Room 3
Students go out on a limb with these ideas for using a tree to recognize good behavior, celebrate holidays, and build skills. They recognize and celebrate the positive behavior of their peers.
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Mother Nature Has Her Say
Young scholars use their creative writing skills to develop interview questions for Mother Nature. Using writing, they respond to the questions another student developed and use the internet to research any topic they need more...
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Sneetches by Dr. Seuss:
Students enter the classroom, half of them are given die-cut stars. They are told to keep the star for later. At the start of the day, the students with stars a piece of candy. Students brainstorm how it feels to get/not get a piece...
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Watercolor Butterfly
Students identify and analyze the anatomy of an insect and create a watercolor butterfly. They identify the three body parts of a butterfly by pointing to them on the butterfly they have created and demonstrate the splatter paint...
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Think Safe! Be Safe!
Students predict, observe, and explain how pillbugs, grasshoppers, stink bugs, and humans stay safe and protect themselves.
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Arthropods at
Young scholars observe, discuss, and record the requirements of a healthy environment for both arthropods and people by designing and maintaining an artificial habitat for an arthropod.
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Middle schoolers discuss their prior knowledge of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Using the internet, they research the personal, political and economic influences that made an impact on the expedition. They also discover how the...
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Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter
Students explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
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Weatherman Phil
Third graders examine the life of a groundhog and their role in predicting weather. They write a postcard or a letter to Punxsutawney Phil on the Internet.
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Japanese Tall Tales
Learners read the tale of 'Three Strong Women' looking for facets of culture that create a 'face' of the Japanese people. They create a Venn Diagram comparing Japanese tall tales with factual research about Japanese culture. One side...
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Food to Grow On
First graders observe, predict, and record food consumption and growth of insects through experimentation with caterpillar diets. They relate their findings to their own growth and diet.
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To Every Thing There Is A Season...
Students use the artwork by Robert Harris to examine the four seasons. In groups, they identify the clothing worn in the artwork and create a dance which resembles the painting. They also practice reading a thermometer and identify...
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Plants
Third graders study the factors necessary for plant growth and how plants adapt to their environment. They examine ow different plants require different environments to thrive.
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Biodiversity in Our Watershed
Eighth graders create a database of animals and birds in the area in which they live. They use molded prints to make a cast of an imprint from a specific animal. They identify and research animals and prepare an outline for an oral...
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Appreciation Cards
Students discuss jobs in which have impacted their lives directly. They create appreciation cards for a person who they believe needs appreciation. They give their cards to that person and share their reaction with the class.
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Arbor Day Across the United States
Students perform research about hardiness zones used to guide planting. They read a hardiness zone color-key map and create their own color-key maps to show when different states celebrate Arbor Day.
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Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes
Students, through observation of crickets, recognize and use proper names for human and insect body parts. They compare and contrast parts of human and insect body parts.
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Boy Cricket Girl Cricket
First graders differentiate between (adult) male and female crickets through observations, counts, and drawings of crickets.
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Children's March Teacher's Guide, Activity 1
Learners study how political movements involve students as well as adults. They discover that learners of all ages have the power to make a difference in the world.