California Department of Education
Exploring Military Career Options
A whole world of career options await in the armed forces! Lesson three in a six-part career and college readiness series introduces eighth grade scholars to military careers. Individuals research the entry requirements for the armed...
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Health: The Three Dimensions
Young scholars examine the three dimensions of health, wealth, and happiness from both emotional and social perspectives. Among the week-long activities are discussions about good and poor habits, minimizing risks by proper planning and...
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A New You!
Science learners journal familiar ways that the human body can regenerate or heal itself. In small groups, they research and create a poster of current information on stems cells and how they can be used to regenerate. The article for...
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Comparing Physical Activity Choices
A physical activity log will help your elementary students keep track of their activities. Your class will calculate the average number of physicaly active minutes per day. They compare with other students and then estimate the relative...
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Keeping a Physical Activity Log
This study asks students to keep a log at home of their daily physical activities for at least one or two weeks. They bring their logs back to class. They compare the activities and discuss different levels of intensity.
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Blazing Gas
Fourth graders read and discuss the sun and the energy we use on Earth from the sun. In this sun lesson plan, 4th graders discuss the solar system, planets, and answer short answer questions.
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Privacy and Online Life: Protect Yourself
Help your class protect privacy, security, and their online profiles with this examination of social media, especially Facebook, and who can see what about each of us. Resource contains useful links for learners to conduct their own...
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Give a Little, Get a Lot
Students research a specific charitable organization on the Internet, focusing on the organization's history, services, and importance in society. They develop an outline for a charitable organization with a mission statement.
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Plight or Progress?
Young scholars read an online article to study the positive and negative aspects of nuclear energy, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. They conduct a debate on technology of the future.
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My Way or the Highway
Students read "Saudis Uneasily Balance Desires for Change and Stability" from The New York Times and discuss Saudi Arabia as it considers a change from monarchy to democracy. Students work in groups to research and create timelines on...
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Creating a Spreadsheet and Graph
Students create graphs in Excel. In this spreadsheet lesson, students input data into spreadsheet cells then use the graphing feature of the Excel program to produce colorful graphs of the data. The directions to create the...
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Bootleg Bytes
Students conduct background research to explore the positions of different groups involved in the digital piracy debate, then participate in a fishbowl discussion that seeks to find a consensus on the issue.
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Fur Right or Wrong
Students explore the uses for animals in different societies. Then, through research and reflection, students prepare for a mock convention for animal rights. They write a letter to a governmental animal regulatory body.
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Nature, Red in Tooth and Claw
Students explore the science and art of taxidermy, and research various biomes that could be depicted in museum displays. They synthesize their knowledge by creating dioramas that depict the diverse life forms typical of these biomes.
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Working Like a Dog
Students consider ways animals help human beings with certain chores, then research more specific tasks dogs are trained to do. They create a help wanted ad enumerating the traits a dog should have before applying for a particular position.
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The Spirits of Toys Past, Present and Future
Students explore the evolution of toys and explore how the toy industry has adapted their products in response to advances in technology and changing customer expectations.
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Safety in Numbers
Learners investigate social behavior patterns of primates. Next, students research a specific primate-analyzing individual and group behavior patterns particular to the species. They create informational posters and present findings to...
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Fit To Play?
Students research certain sports-related injuries and who may be at risk for these conditions. They synthesize their knowledge by collectively developing a comprehensive medical history form.
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Not Just a Corny Idea
Students explore ways in which ethanol can be created using alternate energy sources.
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Wonderful World of Dinosaurs
Second graders obtain information about the characteristics of diet, locomotion, behavior, habitat, and anatomy of five dinosaurs by observing the Wonderful World of Dinosaurs HyperStudio presentation. They complete a student worksheet.
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Heightening Awareness
Students review their prior knowledge about Haiti. They examine violence in Haiti by reading and discussing "HAITIAN FORCES BATTLING UPRISING REPORT RETAKING 3 TOWNS." In groups, students research specific time periods of Haitian history...
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Smart Move!
Students visualize a communication system. They encode, decode, transmit, receive and store messages. Students use a code sheet and flashlight for this process. They will also maintain a storage sheet from which they can retrieve...
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Drinking and Driving
Students select resources relating to alcohol relate dissues of drinking and driving. They explain the dangers of mixing drinking and driving. Students discuss the dangaer of drinking and driving using notes from Internet investigations....
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Appliances with Minds of Their Own
Students examine how everyday appliances might soon possess the capacity "to think" as a result of recent technological advances. A display of their knowledge of this new technology by creating a poster design of a "smart" machine.