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Inventions Change the World: The Enigma Machine
Third graders explore WWII by analyzing technological advances. In this invention lesson plan, 3rd graders discuss the use of the Enigma machine which decoded private German messages that communicated with U-boats. Students utilize a...
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Hunting Invertebrate Fossils in the Classroom
Students acquire a general knowledge of fossils and paleontology, the study of evidence of life in the past and identify the major invertebrate groups (phyla) commonly found in the fossil record.
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Digging into the Past
Students discover how fossils are found and how they help scientists reconstruct the past. They examine how they shed light on what kinds of animals and plants lived over the years, when they lived, and under what environmental conditions.
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Native American Three Sisters Gardens
Learners investigate companion planting. In this communtiy gardening lesson students explore the tradition of the Native American Three Sisters gardening approach. Learners act as botanists, anthropologists, folklorists, and curators.
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200 Years and Counting: How the U.S. Census Tracks Social Trends
Students examine the process of census taking in the United States. In this "200 Years and Counting" activity, students examine the data collection process, look at an example of a census form, analyze data, and learn what the...
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Identifying Fossils
Students create model fossils. In this fossils instructional activity, students view pictures of fossils and compare and contrast these fossils. Students read about fossils and create a database chart with the facts they learn. ...
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A Dog's Life
Middle schoolers get a look into the life of dogs-from their origins and basic biology, through selective breeding, and into how dogs have become intricate parts of everyday life for many people worldwide.
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How Things Fly
Students will examine the physics of flight through using experimental inquiry. In this lesson, you'll introduce your students to the four forces of flight--drag, lift, thrust, and weight--through a variety of fun-filled flight...
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Fossil Inferences
Fourth graders use their knowledge about fossils to arrange fossil pictures in sequence from oldest to youngest. They explain how fossils can be used to make inferences about past life, climate, geology, and environments and discover...
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Frogs Losing Ground
Learners explore an exhibit through an interactive program on frogs. They can listen to the different sounds frogs make and the different types of frogs. They search for the types of frogs they find in their local area.
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Expedition Stories
Students use the Internet to research and discover information about expeditions that were formed to observe the transit of Venus. In groups, they work together to present information about the expeditions and create a visual aid.
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The Facts of Life
Young scholars explore the different ways scientists gather information about extinct animals. They utilize these methods to create illustrated story books about a particular extinct animal.
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Teaching about the Rainforest - Classroom Ideas
Students are introduced to the tropical rainforest through different ways that catch their attention such as: Visit a local botanical garden or conservatory so that students can see the variety of tropical plants in the world. They...
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What Teeth Tell Us
Young scholars view pictures of a variety of animals. They examine the animals' teeth and discuss the differences in them. They experiment with staple removers (carnivore teeth) and two flat rocks (herbivore teeth) and determine which...
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The Greatest Show on Earth: The World's Smallest Animals
Learners create instruments to capture different types of insects. In this The Greatest Show on Earth: The World's Smallest Animals lesson plan, students compare the attributes of certain insects and record the data on a chart. After...
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Under the Spell of Spiders!
Students read about spider body parts, abilities, tendencies, and life cycles. In this Under the Spell of Spiders! lesson, students create mystery creatures that turn out to be spiders. Students catch and observe spiders and insects....
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Saving the Past for the Future
Students discuss an archaeological dilemma. They write a paragraph about possible solutions to the problem.
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The Wave - A Science Lesson Plan
Students investigate the geography surrounding the Great Salt Lake and the three main benches in the area. For this Great Salt Lake lesson, students read a background for the areas geography and make their own beach to analyze wave...
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Teaching With the Power of Objects
Students define value of an object. In this value lesson plan, students identify reasons for collecting objects, compile a personal inventory of items they find valuable, and then define why those items are valuable to them. In step two...
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Artifacts 2: Artifacts in Context
Learners will explore an archaeological mystery that demonstrates the importance of context in learning from artifacts. Factors such as the artifact's location, its proximity to other artifacts, and the number of similar artifacts found...
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Evolutions of Pottery
Students study the history and importance of clay and pottery. They observe a video dealing the kiln. Students explore ideas for improving construction of pottery. They demonstrate a variety of construction methods and identify the...
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Learning from Letters and Other Mail
Students explore the history of our mail system. In this postal lesson plan, students evaluate mail as a means of communication, create a mail system in their classroom where they can send and receive mail. Once the students receive...
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Mormon Era
Students learn the history of the Mormons and are able to explore items made during the Mormon era by creating their own by hand. In this Mormon Era lesson, students create covered wagons, can lanterns, candles and sourdough bread as...
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Learning To Look
Students examine Jacques-Louis David's Telemachus and Eucharis and Dorothea Lange's photograph of a migrant mother and consider how artists communicate ideas across time. They look closely at, and think creatively about artworks.