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Our Natural Resources
Students discuss key terms used to describe ecosystems and how humans are altering natural resources. They listen to the book, Grandfather's Wisdom, and list the renewable and nonrenewable resources they have used or consumed in the past...
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Heartfelt/Handmade Activities: Genre Painting
Students examine genre painting. They explore the Illinois State Museum website, identify how genre paintings were composed, analyze the activities of an Illinois farm in the 1850s, and create a genre painting of current everyday...
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Secrets of the Shoes
Pupils compare the Chinese practice of footbinding to the Western practice of wearing corsets to discover universal issues involving women's rights. The instructional activity emphasizes small group discussions.
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The Sexton and the Compass
Young scholars evaluate how movement patterns create and affect interdependence. They analyze the interactions within and between regions and engage in artistic inquiry, exploration, and discovery in collaboration with others. They ...
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The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas
Students analyze photographs from an historical perspective. They examine photos on the Study of Spanish-Speaking People of Texas website, complete a worksheet, and write an essay.
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Civil War
Fifth graders discuss the causes of the Civil War and write a paragraph summarizing each identified event. In the computer lab, 5th graders create a PowerPoint presentation explaining events leading up to the Civil War. They use the...
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Million Dollar Project
Each student is given the task of spending $1 million. The way students spend their money is dependent on a theme such as "creating a dream world," "taking a trip," or "doing something to better society." Each student researches,...
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Constructivist Theory
Students in a teacher education program are introduced to the constructivist theory. In grade level teams, they take their subject matter focus and create lesson plans related to the constructivist theory. They are graded with a rubric...
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ARE WE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MASS EXTINCTION?
Students identify and interpret the following: What is mass extinction, and what are some theories for why it happens? How often do species become extinct? What is the normal rate of extinction? Why are some species endangered? What...
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World Cities and the Olympics
Students examine the various cities in which Olympics have been held. Using a map, they describe the reasons why those cities were chosen and choose their own city for the Olympics and state the reasons why. They examine information...
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Science: Finlay and Yellow Fever
Ninth graders research the work of Carlos J. Finlay and his contributions to science. Once they have discussed his theories about diseases, they create tables comparing diseases that use insects as carriers. The lesson plan also...
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Prairie Voices: Spare Time
Students examine forms of recreation throughout the last 150 years. In this leisure time lesson, students investigate leisure activities in pre- and post-industrial society as they listen to a teacher-led lecture and discuss their...
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Biography/Autobiography Book Report
In this book report worksheet, students select a biography or autobiography to read and then use the activities on the worksheet to complete a book report.
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Infusing Equity By Gender Into the Classroom
Students participate in activities to develop life skills related to gender equity. In this gender equity activity, students examine the roles of people using hats. Students will role play various occupations related to the hats....
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Election of 1860
Students determine how the presidential election of 1860 led to the American Civil War. In this election of 1860 lesson, students discover details regarding the election and hold their own mock debate and election. Students also write an...
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The Four Freedoms
Seventh graders consider the freedoms they hold dear. In this historical perspectives lesson, 7th graders identify 4 freedoms that they have and then compare them to the listed freedoms in Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech.