California Academy of Science
Exploring the Impacts of Feeding the World
Approximately 50 percent of people in the world who are chronically hungry work in agriculture. While it seems counter-intuitive, the farther you live from a farm, the more food options are available. Scholars explore concepts related to...
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I Am Special and You Are Special Too
Pre-schoolers identify things that make them a special individual. In this diversity lesson, they read the book Little Gorilla and discuss ways they are special and unique. Children create a birthday party for "Little Gorilla" and...
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Hamlet Research Paper: Find, Evaluate, and Select Appropriate Research Sources
Help young researchers find credible sources online. Modeling with a Google search for information about Shakespeare’s Macbeth, use a computer projector or Smart Board to show class members how weak the top three search results are....
Santa Clara County Office of Education
The Rainbow Fish: Activities for Parents to Do with Children at Home
The Rainbow Fish, Marcus Pfister's award-winning story about the joys of sharing, is the inspiration for this resource loaded with fun. Suggestions for language and language arts, math, science, and social studies activities are included...
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Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book
Students develop their own social studies textbook. Students gain knowledge of American immigration and Ellis Island. Students discover the process of becoming a naturalized citizen and what it means to be a citizen
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The Three Gorges: Should Nature or Technology Reign?
Young scholars examine the construction of the Three Gorges Dam in China. In this Three Gorges Dam activity, students research Internet sources pertaining to the dam. Young scholars discuss the geography and culture of East China as...
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First Grade Science Rocks!
First graders examine rocks. In this rock lesson plan, 1st graders look at the properties of rocks and classify them. They discover the three types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
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American Influences on Eugenics in Nazi Germany
Students examine the Eugenics movement in America. They discover the Nazi's belief in racial purity and how it relates to Eugenics. They also analyze how science has been influential in creating public policy.
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Adventures in Exploration
Fifth graders research major explorers in history using their textbook and then create a timeline using Timeline Software. Students participate in class discussions and write an essay about the explorer they researched.
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Three Centuries of Child Labor In America
Fifth graders investigate the history of child labor that is found in America. They use a variety of resources to conduct research. Students create cause and effect arguments using the information that is found. They also compare and...
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Keeping Soil in Its Place
Fourth graders investigate erosion. In this Science lesson, 4th graders explore the role of weathering and plant growth related to erosion. Students define the components of soil. Students explore the history of the Dust Bowl.
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My World
Young scholars study maps. In this social studies lesson, students draw a map of either their room at home or the route they take to school. Young scholars label items on their maps.
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Three Generations of Imbeciles...": Eugenic Sterilization in America
Students examine the Eugenics movement in America with the case Buck vs. Bell, in which a woman was sterilized against her. They examine how science has been influential in forming public policy. They write a short paper on their...
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Amazon Rainforest: You Won't Find George in This Jungle
Learners identify locations of rainforests, compare/contrast layers of the rainforest, construct and interpret maps and graphs, recognize relationships between man and the environment, and write about an imaginary walk in the rainforest.
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Volcanoes In Japan
Sixth graders study the characteristics of volcanoes in this unit. They apply the research to the study of three volcanoes in Japan. They complete mapwork, identify indicators of impending volcanic activity, and describe the dangers...
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Primary Sources and Archaeology in the Study of Ancient Mediterranean Trade
Tenth graders begin the lesson by plotting trade routes, major empires and items traded. Using primary sources, they examine their own values regarding trading items for royality. They participate in a role-play exercise in which they...
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Energy Efficiency in the Home
Students discover ways to conserve energy in their homes. In this energy efficiency activity students analyze a set of data and design a solution that results in higher energy efficiency.
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Species on the Edge
Young scholars study science. In this endangered species lesson, students examine sea turtles and actions that can be taken to help keep them alive. They work in small groups to research different species of turtles and share their...
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Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-In The Small Small Pond
Students read In The Small Small Pond by Denise Fleming. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of the pond ecosystem. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library...
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Women in Science: Marie Anne Lavoisier and Ann Bancroft
Eighth graders explore and analyze the contributions of women in medicine as well as the concept of sexism. They assess multicultural content to explain the different scientific careers available to women and categorize the human and...
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Exploring Texture In the Garden
Students explore the garden environment. In this garden environment lesson, students investigate the needs and parts of a plant. Students discover the differences between fruits and vegetables while creating their own garden.
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Understanding Life System: Growth and Changes in Plants
Third graders research ways in which plants are essential to humans. In this Global Peace instructional activity, 3rd graders participate in tasks, such as creating a propaganda poster. Students may watch the film, The Lorax, as a...
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Examine the Trees in Your Community Forest
Twelfth graders examine selected tree species. In this tree lesson, 12th graders examine twenty selected tree species, identify them, and correctly map out the trees in the area.
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Life in the Arctic
Students create a model of an arctic animal. In this animal adaptation lesson, students research an arctic animal, create a 3-D model of their animal, and explain the physical characteristics animals in the arctic need to survive.