Curated OER
Looking to Our Environment
Eighth graders studied an environmental region in Illinois. The wetlands, swamps, woodlands and prairies were chosen. They research this region and create a picture that looks as if they are looking out the window. They had to have at...
Curated OER
Illinois On Tour
Eighth graders participate in the Illinois Mystery Activity (from the ENTICE materials) to study additional interesting facts about Illinois. Using the DNR poster "Illinois' Natural Divisions" and printed materials from ENTICE, 8th...
Curated OER
Bird Seed Mining
Learners search through the seed mixture and separate out our "mine" beads, sunflower seeds, and other grain products, making piles of each. students count up the number of gold, silver, and blue beads, and sunflower seeds from their piles
Curated OER
Nature Rules In The Great Flood of 1993
Students examine the event of the Great Flood of 1993. Using the internet, they research the economic, social and ecological changes that impacted the area. They conduct a town meeting in which they debate the positives and negatives of...
Curated OER
Exploring the History of the I&M Canal
Students examine the building of the I & M canal in Chicago. Using the internet, they research the lives of the individuals who worked on the construction and develop a timeline of events. They explore the impact of the canal on...
Curated OER
ENTICEing Fun with Illinois Facts
Students participate in a multi-grade scavenger hunt. Using fun-fact cards, they answer questions based on Illinois. They record their answers in a journal and discuss any items they are unclear on.
Curated OER
Habitat Happenings
Pupils examine the characteristics of the Prairie Creek Habitat in Illinois. In groups, they travel between various stations writing haikus and reading brochures. They identify what occurs in each habitat and identify the animals located...
Curated OER
Poetry and Nature
Students observe an object in nature and record them. In groups, they create a group poem about the same object. They create their own poem based on another object using other their senses to help them. They share their poems with the...
Curated OER
If I Were the Wind
Eighth graders are introduced to authors in the conservation community. As a class, they describe a personal experience they have had with nature. They identify examples of an author's descriptive writing techniques and answer questions...
Curated OER
Fill The Bill
Students identify and describe five different types of beaks. Using that information, they explain how each of them is adapted to feed on different foods. In groups, they travel around the room to various stations in order to practice...
Curated OER
Here Today. . .Gone Tomorrow
Students observe that there are threatened and endangered bird species in Illinois, why they have been given this status and how it relates to endangered species on a worldwide basis. they participate in the Project WILD "Oh, Deer" or...
Curated OER
Migration Activation
Young scholars play the role of migrating birds. As a class, they simulate a migration of birds to one place and back again. They relate their habitat size and changes to their current population numbers. They discover the many dangers...
Curated OER
Mammal Jeopardy
Seventh graders play a jeopardy like game using information about mammals. Before beginning the game, they complete a worksheet with questions similar to ones that are to be used during the competition. They answer more difficult...
Curated OER
Photosynthesis
Learners are introduced to the process of photosynthesis. In groups, they test the effects of the lack of sunlight on plant leaves and compare the results with their hypothesis. They note the characteristics that plants and animals share...
Curated OER
Prairie Math
Students work together to build models of prairie plants. Using the model, they estimate the height and then measure them using metric and standard units. They write a fraction to represent their part of the whole set and compare and...
Curated OER
Human Clinical Studies
A simple, yet poignant lesson gets teens reading ads for clinical trials and discussing the requirements for participation. At home, they peruse the newspaper to find current examples of similar advertisements. The purpose of this lesson...
Curated OER
Seepy Sandwich
Students study how water infiltration can carry pollution underground. In this water infiltration lesson, students conduct an experiment on water infiltration and underground pollution.
Curated OER
On the Trail of the Blue Crab
Third graders read the article "Blue Claw," discuss crab migration, and look at a map of the Hudson River. They complete a worksheet where they must use subtraction to determine the distance migrating crabs travel.Web links, article, and...
Curated OER
Big Boats Up The River
Using boats along in the Port of Albany as the focus, learners practice adding single-digit numbers and interpreting data. This lesson comes with the worksheets, resource links, and other materials to make it a worthwhile experience.
Curated OER
River Run Through It
With vocabulary lists, worksheets, and more, this lesson sets learners on an exploration of the Hudson River area. They read an essay about the area, analyze a relief map of New York State, and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Rushing to Succeed
Pressure to cover standards may lead to less time spent on important critical thinking skills.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Biomass: Biogas Generator
It's a gas. Middle schoolers build a biogas generator following the directions in this resource. After a few days of observation, they demonstrate that the gas given off by the decomposing manure is flammable. The activity concludes as...
Virginia Department of Education
Mathematics Vocabulary Cards – Grade 4
An excellent way to reinforce math vocabulary in your classroom! Seventy-eight posters focus on number and number sense, computation and estimation, measurement, geometry, probability and statistics, and patterns, functions, and algebra.
Florida Center for Reading Research
Syllable Hopscotch
Let your little learners move while they practice breaking words into syllables or chunks. Place a hopscotch "board" on the floor (this can be done with tape). Your class takes turns choosing picture cards, and then they say the name of...