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Defining Ethnic Minorities in China
Ninth graders, in groups, research some of China's 56 identified ethnic groups. They prepare maps and posters to display their research.
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Growth in A City Neighborhood
Students take the "role" of city planner. They overlay a map of one area of the city in the past, present, and projected future project. Students discuss reasons for selecting the special features of the area. The activity refers...
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Wealth in Transition: From Sail to Loom
Young scholars examine Salem's transition from a merchant to industrial economy. Using a report by investors, they examine the process and debates that occured when wanting to build a textile mill in Salem. They discuss the challenges...
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Mapping A Stream
Pupils participate in mapping an actual waterway. They include reach lengths, transects, compass reading, and scale determinations. They include windfalls, plant cover, types of streambed composition, and landmarks such as trees and...
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Water: On the Surface and in the Ground
Students explore the differences between surface water and ground water. They collect data using maps and graphs and investigate a Texas river basin and a nearby aquifer. They complete a written report including maps and data regarding...
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Where in the World is Cynthia San Francisco? A weather-related challenge
Students investigate concepts of weather using a guided, essential question. They collect data from satellite weather images and create models to track the progress of weather changes.
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Science: The Age of the Redwoods
Students discover how to estimate the age of redwood trees. They measure the trees' diameters by using string to calculate the circumferences. Students conclude by discussing the science of dendrochronolgy.
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Geometry in the Heavens
Ninth graders access a star worksheet and determine properties of polygons. In this investigative lesson students complete a worksheet and discuss myths.
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Mapping Seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska
Students describe major topographic features on the Patton Seamount, and interpret two-dimensional topographic data. They create three-dimensional models of landforms from two-dimensional topographic data.
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MAPPING THE SCHOOL FOREST
Students measure distances and directions using paces and a compass. They determine their own pace, explore how to read a compass bearing, and how to take bearings on given sites.
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John Muir - Around the World in 76 Years
Sixth graders create timelines of John Muir's life while playing a game based on John Muir's travels. They discover that John Muir traveled around the world to compare and contrast natural phenomena and to speak out about preserving...
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RIDING THE WIND
Students locate the Trade Winds, Westerlies and Polar Easterlies on a map, explain the impact of the rotation of the Earth, and plot a route for a round trip voyage from New York to London.
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Plate Tectonics Day 3 Sea Floor Spreading: Evidence for Continental Drift
Middle schoolers are introduced to Sea Floor Spreading and how it provides evidence for Hess's and Deitz's theory of Continental Drift. They use paleomagnetic data to calculate the rate of Sea Floor Spreading.
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The East Fork Project
Students identify possible sources of health risks, types of exposures, routes of exposure, and populations that could be affected after discussing water pollution and environmental health hazards. After discussion, students conduct a...
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Using Waves on the Job!
A colorful and comprehensive PowerPoint highlights this lesson on waves. Junior geophysicists pretend that they are hired to analyze seismic waves. A worksheet is provided to go along with an online article about how compact discs work...
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Changing Planet: Melting Glaciers
Resource links to a video, satellite images, data, and photographs of glaciers provide emerging earth scientists the opportunity to examine how the ice has been retreating over the years. A data table is included for pupils to record...
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El Nino
Explore the properties of water and the affects of El Nino. Middle schoolers will learn about the devastation an El Nino can cause as well as the definition of El Nino. Additionally, they will discover the cause of El Nino along with the...
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Force of Habitat
Plants and animals of the desert are the subject of this instructional activity. While the activities involve an exploration involving Nevada, this resource could be altered for use with any area. This detailed instructional activity...
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Why Does the Cocoa Tree Need a Tropical Rainforest to Grow?
Fourth graders explore the requirements a cocoa plant needs to survive. They research where chocolate comes from and how humans can affect the growth of cocoa trees. Students create a 3-D model of a cocoa tree and compare and contrast...
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Weather Watchers
Students are introduced to an Underground Weather Stations. In groups, they use the internet to research the weather in different parts of the United States locating each city. To end the lesson, they summarize the information they...
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Westward Expansion
Students locate California and New York on a map and explore available means of travel in the 19th century. Students explore the role of trade in pioneer America and simulate various barter transactions.
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Weather Patterns
Students research to determine weather patterns and natural hazards most likely to affect their region.
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Northwest Hawaiian Islands
Students compare and contrast places around the world. Students analyze the effects of human activity on the physical environment and devise plans to address the consequences. Students also focus on geographical topics such as formation...
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Informed Drawing Through Observation
Young scholars practice observation techniques to improve their drawing skills. In this drawing technique lesson, students assess drawing as an art media and discuss realism. Young scholars view examples of animal drawings and practice...