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To Kill a Mockingbird: A Historical Perspective
Students research the Great Depression. In this Great Depression instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of life in the American south during the depression era as they read Harper Lee's...
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Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines. For this simple machines lesson, students construct two simple machines and describe what they do. Students show that simple changes help machines do work with less effort. Students use a paper clip...
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Snack Attack: Food Packaging Activity
Students design and create packaging material for food. In this snack attack lesson, students design a package to protect a food item from heat and water. Students consider costs of materials, design, and test the package to see if it is...
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Creating a Simple Telegraph Machine
Students experiment and discuss circuits and how they work. In this science lesson, students construct a telegraph machine using cardboard, wires, battery, electric tape and masking tape. They investigate what happens as the circuits...
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Magnets
Students explore how the earth is a magnet and that magnets have two "poles". In this magnetic lesson students complete an activity by designing their own compass.
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Sciences Working Together
Learners research articles about science technology and society. In this science and technology lesson, students answer questions about an article they chose. They share what they learned with their peers.
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What Makes Thing Fly?
Second graders study lift, drag and thrust from a real flight instructor. In this physical science lesson students build and fly paper airplanes and experiment with variations and design.
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Measure for Measure: Weight and Energy
Students study the friction of a particular sport. In this weight and energy instructional activity students choose a sport and us the Internet to research it then present their findings to the class.
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Energy: The Universal Currency
Science stars examine the concept of energy by thinking about everyday situations. The lesson plan is incohesive. It lists goals for the student, but doesn't address all of them in the content. The best use of this resource would simply...
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Naturally Magnetic Elements
Students explore naturally magnetic elements. In this magnets lesson plan, students examine the periodic table of elements. Students discover the parts of an atom and determine which three elements are magnetic.
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Water and Ice
Students explore the physical properties of water. In this water instructional activity, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. There are 2 extensions for this instructional activity that one can access...
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Race the Track! Jump the Gap
Learners record data of using a track system with variables and how those variables affect a ball used in the track. In this track lesson plan, students design their own track in groups, test the ball's rates of speed, and record their...
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Simple Machines III - Pulleys
Fourth graders are introduced to a spring scale to show that the forces on both sides of the pulley are the same. They break into groups to lift objects with fixed pulleys and with multiple looped pulleys and then measure the force...
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Simple Machines IV - Wheels and Axles
Fourth graders study everyday examples of simple machines. They examine how the combination of a wheel and axle works more efficiently than either in isolation. In a demonstration lesson, they see how a spring scale shows a force pulling...
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Machines at Work
Learners discuss how simple machines have made our lives easier and construct a compound machine. In this machines lesson plan, students watch a video on machines, look at websites, and follow task cards in order to make a simple machine.
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Simple Machines I - Inclined Planes, Wedges, and Screws
Fourth graders examine the physics behind and uses for inclined planes, screws, and wedges. They determine examples of how these simple machines are used in daily life. Working in three small groups, they move from station to station...
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Up, Up, and Away
Pupils investigate the laws of physics that govern the flight of helicopters and airplanes. They build and launch a model rotor, simulating rotors used on helicopters to provide lift.
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Dinosaurs 1: Where are the Dinosaurs?
Students study dinosaurs and explore the concept of extinction. In this dinosaur lesson students create dinosaur eggs and view dinosaur dioramas.
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Electromagnetic Wave Spectrum
Fifth graders examine electromagnetic wave spectrum. In this science lesson, 5th graders discuss the aspects of the electromagnetic wave spectrum and complete a worksheet identifying the parts of the spectrum.
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Gravity
Students explore gravitational force. Through experimentation, students observe the acceleration of objects when they fall. They examine air resistance, and how the human body is attracted to the earth. Students discover the...
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People and Space
Learners eat dehydrated foods that the astronauts would eat in space. In this dehydrated foods lesson plan, students make lists of food they could eat, discuss how dehydration takes place, eat food, and complete discussion questions.
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Planets in Balance
Pupils study the solar system by researching the planets. In this exploratory lesson students divide into teams and create mobiles.
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Magnetic Experiment
Third graders experiment with magnets. In this magnet experiment lesson, 3rd graders explore magnetic attraction and repulsion. Students rotate through four stations and investigate the properties of magnets.
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Shipwreck Alley
High schoolers examine the different types of vessels used in commercial shipping. In this commercial shipping lesson students apply force and motion to problems of marine safety.