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Shades of Gray
Young scholars examine their own strengths and weaknesses and try to determine if it is a result of nature, nuture or both. After reading an article, they discuss how gender may or may not account for differences in intelligence. They...
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Dream Big
Young scholars discuss the success of privately built and flown space crafts by reading and discussing a news article. They develop adventure trip proposals to present to Sir Richard Branson. Students write essays reflecting on the...
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Mission Makeover
Students examine their prior knowledge of the space program. After reading an article, they explore the conclusions of the Columbia accident. In groups, they research various space programs and discover the scope of NASA. They write...
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Plasma 101
Students examine the definitions and characteristics of plasma. After reading an article, they analyze new technologies to study plasma. In groups, they create a poster on how the different types of plasma work and write letters to their...
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Altered Genes
Learners describe the economic relationship between farmers, consumers, and food companies. They examine the issues regarding the reactions of consumers in this country and other countries to the use of gene-altered crops in food...
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Investigating Bean Pods and How They Grow
Third graders observe and create a record of seed growth over time. After planting a seed, 3rd graders record their observations of the seed's growth over a three week period. Upon conclusion of the experiment, they write a paragraph...
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The Monarch Butterfly Watch
Learners explore monarch migration through the Journey North web site. In this butterfly instructional activity, students use the internet to identify a butterfly's migration pattern. Learners write in electronic journals.
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Why is it so hot when I sit next to the window?
Students investigate how energy travels through glass. For this energy usage lesson, students conduct an experiment in which they decide if window film affects how much energy travels through the glass. Students use a journal to make...
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What's in a Garden?
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students plan a garden. Students write a paragraph in their journals giving their recommendation on how their garden should be laid out.
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Digging Deeper
Fifth graders write a report. In this research lesson, 5th graders work in groups to complete an Internet scavenger hunt. Students research an area of health related to nutrition or exercise, write a report and present their report to...
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Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?
Students compare wolves' behaviors to those of the human race. In this wolf lesson students write a story that will show that wolves are either good or evil.
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Jane Goodall, Renowned Naturalist and Champion of Chimpanzees
Students study the life of Jane Goodall and how she made an impact studying chimpanzees. In this endangered species lesson plan students write in their journals.
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FOREST GRUMP: Examining How Deforestation Affects Plants and Animals of the Canadian Boreal
Young scholars consider definition of an ecosystem as it relates to the Canadian boreal, discover how deforestation affects this forest and recreate ecosystems. They write persuasive letters urging politicians or business people to help...
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Rain Forest Reporters
Learners research and write articles for an imaginary scientific magazine about rain forests. In this rain forest lesson, students research both ecosystems and magazine writing styles. They act as reporters and editors of their own...
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A Day in the Life of a San Francisco Native Animal
Students write from an animal's perspective. In this writing lesson students explore the landscape of San Francisco prior to the arrival of the explorers. Students research animals indigenous to the area.
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Identifying Erosion
Students identify erosion in various forms and explain its causes. They look for evidence of erosion on school grounds, describe it in their journals, and draw labeled rough sketches of the erosion.
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Cranberry Bog
Students explore cranberry farming in Massachusetts and the rest of the nation. They research on challenges facing cranberry farming industry and then write reflection papers on optimum pest control methods from the perspective of a...
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Chicago: The City in Art, 1995-2000
Students examine a mural of animals and talk about animal classification. They act as scientists and keep a record, called a Jungle Journal, of plants and animals they observe while studying the rainforest.
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Spiders Have Special Characteristics
Students state reasons why spiders are grouped in specific categories, including what distinguishes a spider from an insect. They report on their observations of the spiders. They illustrate their report with drawings in their journals.
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How Does Your Garden Grow?
Students read The Garden by Arnold Lobel, plant seeds to discover what makes them grow, and record their observations in their journals.
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Going the Way the Wind Blows
Students examine the cause and effect relationship between geography and ancient civilizations. After reading an article, they determine how new findings can help scientists examine the migration patterns of these civilizations. Using...
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How Does a Butterfly Grow?
Young scholars explore the stages of a butterfly. They read and discuss the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. They draw a picture of their favorite part and create a graph. They write a letter to Eric Carle and observe...
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Flights of Fancy?
Students reflect on the dynamics of human flight and how objects fall through the air and how science principles are used in flight.
They create a How-It-Works poster diagramming the science behind one method of flying. In addition,...
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Pond Theme Unit
For this pond theme worksheet students research facts on pond life. Students complete comprehension questions, crosswords, word search, and math puzzles. Students write a short report.