Independence Public Library
Unmasking the Truth Behind the Red Death
"The Masque of the Red Death" provides readers with an opportunity to research and plan a presentation about a topic related to Edgar Allen Poe's classic short story.
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Introduction to Presidential Power
Twelfth graders describe the power of the President. In this Constitution lesson plan students reflect on the power given to the president of the United States by the wording in the Constitution. Students give their opinion.
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Nosferatu Expression and Diminished Chords
High schoolers explore how to construct and play diminished triads and half and whole diminished chords on the keyboard. They create appropriate sounds to accompany sections of the movie "Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horrors." Students...
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Ecology And the Conservation of Natural Resources
Students study Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift and how the continents were connected in one large land mass called Pangaea. They examine plate tectonics and the theory that the earth's surface is composed of large moving...
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Structure of the Earth
Eighth graders examine the forces that are constantly acting on the Earth. They describe the theory of tectonic plates and demonstrate the two kinds of earthquake waves. They also examine the role of volcanoes in the structure of the...
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What if Amelia Earhart had Turned Around?
Students discuss an article in USA Today in which Gregg Zoroya proposes his theory about what happened to Amelia Earhart. In this reading comprehension and Amelia Earhart lesson, students read an article in USA Today that proposes a...
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Build a Simple Ammeter
Learners build and work with a simple ammeter to test theories on why solar cells connected in parallel produce more current that in series. Students use the ammeter to indicate the presence, direction, and strength of an electric...
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The Ocean Floor
Fifth graders discuss the process of sedimentation and the continental drift theory. They locate major structures on the ocean floor and they identify life forms at each level of the ocean.
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"I've Been Working on the Railroad" - Federal Land Grants and the Construction of the Illinois Central Railroad in Mid-nineteenth Century Illinois
Eleventh graders, in groups, design a self-sufficient community. Groups present the communities they've designed. They compare and contrast the communities presented. They research the theories of Johann Heinrich von Thunen online and...
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Plant Parts and Functions
Fifth graders examine two or three unfamiliar flowers or fruits, such as eggplant and mango and realize that each flower or fruit comes from a flowering seed plant. They then identify the plants.
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Inquiry: Rudolfo Anaya and James Baldwin
Students investigate three works by the author James Baldwin. They work in groups to research the author and create a website based on the research.
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Structure of the Earth
Eighth graders describe and identify the three layers of the Earth. They work together to construct their own earth model. They share their creation with the class.
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What Plants Need
Students plant seeds in milk cartons, over the next two weeks, they watch the plants closely to see how they grow and change. They keep a photo journal to record the growth of the plant.
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More Practice on Lewis Structures and Formal Charges
In this chemistry worksheet, high schoolers practice creating the correct chemical compounds in theory using the lewis structures in the applied problems.
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The Death Penalty
Students examine how people are punished in the American justice system. In groups, they identify the four different theories of punishment and how it is used in the justice system. They use the internet to read arguments for and against...
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Our Solar System
Third graders describe the composition of our solar system. They recognize the names of the planets in our solar system and compare and contrast the nine planets that orbit the sun.
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Population Dynamics
Middle schoolers discover how organisms are dependent on one another for survivial. They also discuss how to conserve natural resources. They compare and contrast the different types of symbiotic relationships as well.
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Spork and Beans
Students examine natural selection, how it works and how it can cause microevolution. In this evolution lesson students complete a lab activity that shows the effects that natural selection has on organisms.
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Mystery : Structure of the Atom-A Case for Indirect Evidence
Students investigate the structure of the atom through hands on activities. In this atomic structure lesson, students perform 4 activities showing indirect evidence of the structure of the atom and the parts of the atom. They also list...
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Vietnam: A Divided Nation
Eleventh graders examine events leading up to and during the Vietnam War. They research assigned topics utilizing interviews, Powerpoint presentations, timelines, and collages in their presentations.
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WWII Newspaper Using the Team Interview Model
Students interact with each other to conduct interviews after conducting meaningful research about the era of World War II. The interview is conducted in a group and then can be presented to another group or the whole class.
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Science
Seventh graders study the theory of plate tectonics. In this activity lesson students complete an activity to determine how seafloor spreading and volcanoes contribute to solving the plate tectonics puzzle.
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Primary Documents: The President and African Americans
Learners examine the efforts of the federal government to address discrimination in the U.S. before and after WWII. They read and discuss two executive orders, complete a worksheet, and answer discussion questions.
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Microbial Contaminants in Drinking Water
When presented with three unopened bottles of water, students are asked to tell decide which one is contaminated with a microbe. Students work in small groups and role play being a Microbiologist, a patient, or a recorder. The patient is...