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Stellaluna
First graders discuss the strategy of asking yourself questions while reading. in this Stellaluna lesson, 1st graders write questions on a chart about the story. Students turn and talk after reading chunks of text. Students see which...
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Fishing
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman. In this fishing lesson plan, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Where are the Dinosaurs?
Students construct their own diorama based on the life of a dinosaur. In this dinosaur lesson, students create models of dinosaurs and dinosaurs' eggs to explore the life cycle of this extinct species.
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Species Charades
Students identify endangered species. In this endangered species lesson, the teacher leads a discussion about endangered species, then the class plays a game of charades to pantomime animal behavior.
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Nature's Recyclers
Students create environments to demonstrate how earthworms interact with their surroundings.
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Apple: Bare to Pick
Students investigate the seasons of the apple tree. In tree seasons instructional activity, students use a sun model and a globe to study the tilt of the Earth to create the seasons. Students discuss the tilt and the seasons. Students...
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Water Quest
Young scholars visit the Hydrology Study Site, conduct a visual survey to discover info about local land use and water quality, and document their findings by mapping the water body. They use this investigation to raise questions for...
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Water Walk
Students follow the appropriate sampling protocol and take two measurements of a local water source. These measurements are Transparency and Temperature. This info about local land use and/or water chemistry issues may require further...
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Movement of Air Diorama Activity
Learners make a diorama to illustrate the process of mechanical airflow. For this movement of air lesson, students discuss ventilation and air movement indoors. Learners discuss ventilation systems and study pictures of the systems....
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Lessons from The Lorax
Learners read and watch a video of The Lorax by Dr. Suess. As a class, they answer a set of questions about how the environment was affected by industries. They also brainstorm a list of possible solutions to help curb the pollution.
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Children's Health
Learners learn the basic parts of an insect, where they like to hide indoors, and how to safely get rid of them. They assemble the cockroach body and cut it out of a brown bag. They attach pipe cleaners as legs and attennae. They then...
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Save the Earth: It's Everyone's Home!
Students research ways to conserve and reduce energy and resources. In this reducing waste lesson, students work in teams to experiment with water and losing resources. students brainstorm about ways to conserve and reduce energy and...
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Scales, Scutes, and Skins
Young scholars identify the various adaptations of reptiles and amphibians. After distinguishing between reptiles and amphibians, students discuss the ways in which their adaptations aid in their survival. They participate in a hands on...
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Earth: The Apple of our Eye
Students are led through a demonstration in which they cut open an apple, which represents the earth. They follow through the hands-on lesson, cutting the apple into various portions--each representing some aspect of the earth.
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Heat and Light Come From Various Sources
First graders study heat and light and how they come from various sources. They list sources of heat and light and identify the different energy sources as heat, light, or both heat and light.
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Species Charades
Students are introduced to a unit on endangered species. They study the diversity of endangered animals through a game of charades. After the game, students will discuss the animals that were acted out and why some of them are endangered.
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Can We Keep the Lake Clean?
Students are introduced to the water cycle. They help draw a picture of a lake ecosystem, adding human impacts that affect water quality. Students help fill in the components of a drawing of a water system. At the end of the lesson...
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Our Senses: How We Receive Messages
Students explore the 5 senses. In this 5 senses lesson, students consider how their senses aid them in communication. Students examine how their senses receive information as they discuss examples.
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The Environment
Students participate in three stations in which they are made aware of the environment, ways to preserve it, the importance of preserving it and their part in preserving it. They discuss where items are found, recycling, and...
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Earth Day, Every Day
First graders celebrate Earth Day. In this Earth Day lesson, 1st graders listen to a book Where Does the Garbage Go? by Paul Showers, and list facts about the garbage we throw away. Students use the Think-Pair-Share method.
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Air Quality Presentation for Youth
Students read two books about wind and dust and then participate in a demonstration in which they plant seeds and compare dry, dusty soils to moist soils. They identify the rationale and methods for keeping airborne dust down.
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Oily Oceans
Students, after reading Jack, the Seal and the Sea, by Gerald Aschenbrenner, get a hands-on knowledge of the effects of oil on water, and those things that come in contact with it.
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Create a Waste Action Plan
Students apply their knowledge to identify waste solutions for their families and homes. Students generate an individual action plan that works for their family and create a magnet to display their waste plan. Students apply the...
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Environment: River of Life
Students assess the impact of human activity on the environment. After reading the book, "A River Ran Wild," they role-play and discuss how people changed the river. Students write stories about living along a river from the point of...