Desert Discoveries
Creating a Garden Journal
Youngsters create science journals which are used to record observations from the school garden. The goal of this activity is to help kids tune into nature by making daily observations on the growth of the plants, and also to take note...
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Animal Rights Vs. Animal Welfare - Understanding the Issue
Students explore the difference between animal rights and animal welfare. They take a field trip to a farm to explore the producing animals for human use. After researching and collecting information from animal welfare/rights...
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Inform Your Vote
Students examine and participate in the election process, analyze current event topics and offer their opinions. They then share their viewpoints on civic issues. They are encouraged to do additional research on the election's hot issues.
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Systems, UP, Up and Away!
Learners discuss rockets and how they work. Students research basic information about the Space Shuttle. Learners work in collaborative groups creating "rockets" with empty film canisters. Students launch their "rockets" and record...
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Regions of France
Middle schoolers pretend that their family has received a free vacation to the region of France of their choice. They must decide what their family's priorities are and research each region to find out which region would be the best for...
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State Parks: A Spanish Vocabulary Lesson
Ninth graders create a PowerPoint about state parks using Spanish vocabulary. In this Spanish lesson, 9th graders work in groups to research about area recreational facilities. Students use information collected on-line to create and...
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What is a Hurricane?
Students research hurricanes on the Internet. In this hurricane lesson, students use the Internet to find out the basic shape of hurricane winds and classify three characteristics of hurricanes. Students then classify at least three...
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Surname Survey
Students use data from the U.S. Census Bureau to determine whether last names in a local phone directory reflect the Census Bureau's list of the most common surnames in the country. In this surnames lesson plan, students use the Internet...
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The Jim Crow Era
Students examine how African-Americans were affected by the Great Depression. In this African-American history lesson, students conduct independent research on the social conditions of the time period using the suggested resources....
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Fresh Foods from Farm to Table
Are you a good egg? Learners begin a farm-to-table lesson by acting out verbs in groups to demonstrate the egg production process, and then research the steps using online resources. Several excellent videos are linked through the...
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"Whispering Wires": Public Law vs. Individual Civil Liberties
High school student love discussing controversial issues like those brought up in this fourth amendment case study. They examine the 1928 Olmstead vs. U.S. prohibition court case, applying the fourth amendment to determine whether or not...
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Family Sues Over Discipline That Stinks
Learners read a brief explanation of a situation in which a family is suing a school district because a teacher made a child spray himself with Lysol in front of the class, saying this would take care of his body odor. Students write a...
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Water 1: Water and Ice
Students discover the forms water can take. In this hands-on science lesson, students examine how water can change from a solid to a liquid and then back again.
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Healthy Choices
Fifth graders discover how to make healthy choices in nutrition. In this nutrition lesson, 5th graders research the daily nutrition requirements recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Students keep a food diary for three days...
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Oral Reading Fluency: Reading Text with Proper Expression
Kids practice reading fluently with expression. They listen closely as their teacher reads a short paragraph, take note as she points out how she read each sentence, and then read along with her. They read to passage several times until...
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Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men
Students investigate the achievements of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. They conduct Internet research, identify their achievements, and participate in a 'competition' that compares/contrasts the two men.
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John and Mary Jones and the Importance of Oral History
Students examine the role of John and Mary Jones in the abolitionist movement. Using primary source documents, they discover the importance of an oral history and take notes on the Jones' role. They write a summary of the data to...
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A Book Is A Window To the World
Second graders listen to pieces of literature that take place in different regions of the world. Using a map, they identify and locate the continents and oceans mentioned in the story. They describe the physical and human characteristics...
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Friday Forum
Middle schoolers research a variety of controversial articles to gain knowledge. They form an opinion and defend their position with supporting data. They evaluate opposing arguments and present their viewpoint both verbally and in the...
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Women: Struggle and Triumph
Students perform research using primary resources in order to create a knowledge base for the place of women in society. The sources are synthesized by students to reveal the true story of the extraordinary women of America.
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U.S. History: Antebellum Heroes and Villains
Eighth graders research and write reports on key figures of the Antebellum Period. The projects also include pictures, bibliographies, and timelines about their assigned figure. In addition, 8th graders present oral reports to classmates.
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Mothers' Milk-Unleaded, Please
Lead toxicity is a hot topic these days, especially when it was a common component in household paint for many years. In Taiwan, there was concern that babies were being exposed to toxic levels of lead through breast milk. A study was...
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Community Gardens and Propaganda Posters
Students research community gardens. In this community garden lesson, students discover the history of community gardens and assess the benefits of locally grown food. Students create propaganda posters aimed at inviting discussions...
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Energy Conservation Lesson 1: Fossil Fuels and the Ticking Clock
Students explore energy production by participating in a class discussion. In this renewable energy lesson, students discuss the differences between solar, coal, wind and fossil fuel energy sources and why some are better for the...