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What in Our World Affects the Way People Live
Sixth graders study various maps that show geographical features and population. They compare the maps and make inferences about how various geographical features influence the population and human activities of an area.
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Illinois Wildlife Scavenger Hunt
Young scholars complete a scavenger hunt on a CD-ROM. Using the program, they discover which animals in Illinois are endangered and the types of animals living in their county. They classify the animals into class, families and phylum as...
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Bird Seed Mining
Young scholars search through the seed mixture and separate out our "mine" beads, sunflower seeds, and other grain products, making piles of each. students count up the number of gold, silver, and blue beads, and sunflower seeds from...
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Protecting Philippine Reefs
Students watch a slide show about the Philippine Reefs to explore the topic of fish populations. In this reef and fish population instructional activity, students watch a slide show about fish populations and how the Peace Corps works...
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Toward a Sustainable Agriculture
Your class considers a case study of a sustainable agro-ecosystem and view a PowerPoint presentation about a sustainable farm. They complete a case study worksheet. Extension activities are included.
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Composting
Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...
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ENTICEing Fun with Illinois Facts
Students participate in a multi-grade scavenger hunt. Using fun-fact cards, they answer questions based on Illinois. They record their answers in a journal and discuss any items they are unclear on.
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I Want a Job in Agriculture
Upper graders explore agriculture careers. They brainstorm possible careers in the agricultural field and choose a career of interest to them. Everyone writes a paper about different aspects of this career using the six traits of...
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Careers With an Aquatic Emphasis
Students are introduced to careers with an aquatic emphasis. They take a self-evaluation test on what they enjoy in school to determine which career is right for them. They listen to people in the field discuss what their job is like.
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Natural Disasters
Students compose essays outlining the effects of floods on humans and their environments. Included in their essays are methods explaining how people have tried to adapt to floods. Using the Internet or provided written materials,...
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Mimicking Nature; Science, Aviation, Flight, Wings
Students consider the relationship between form and flight and investigate the history of man made flight and how wing shape and flexibility affects the maneuverability of an aircraft.
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Partners in Nature
Students role-play how animals and plants depend on and help each other in symbiotic relationships. Working in pairs, they role-play the animals' relationship. They may also choose to draw pictures of these partnerships.
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Nature's Air Conditioner
Students observe the process of transpiration in leaves. They measure how much water a leaf gives off in a 24-hour period, calculate the volume, and answer discussion questions.
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Natural Selection in Protected And Unprotected Populations
Studnets compare how two elephant seal populations fare during successive generations. They participate in a simulation using a card game to look at the differences in two populations, one that is protected from mortality by human...
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Supermarket Science: The King Sooper Lab
Young scholars read product labels, compare fat, sodium, and sugar contents of various food items. They work with a partner and often employ the assistance of the deli and bakery managers in a supermarket.
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Natural Inquirer
Students interview wildlife experts to gain information needed to research and write a report about an aquatic plant or animal affected by climate change.
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Water Resources
Learners explore the differences between surface water and ground water. They collect data using maps and graphs and investigate a Texas river basin and a nearby aquifer. They complete a written report of their findings regarding the...
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Chemical Models
Students study hydrocarbon gases and chemical equations. For this hydrocarbon gases lesson, students work in groups complete a molecular formula worksheet and review alkane prefixes. Students complete molecular models, balance chemical...
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Shake, Rattle And Roll: Studying the Effects of an Earthquake
Students gauge earthquake intensity by reviewing firsthand accounts. They use the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale and newspaper articles to estimate the strength and effects of a past earthquake.
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Tsunami
Students examine what causes tsunamis and why they all behave differently. In this tsunami activity students complete a group activity after viewing a video.
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Can You Control Floods
Students assume the role of an engineer or planner. As an engineer or planner they must come up with ideas that can be put into place to control floods. They produce a working model of flood control.
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Tornadoes
Students use the Internet to research tornadoes. They consider tornado formation, energy forms and sources, ways to predict tornadoes, tornado safety and attempt to predict tornadoes in real time.
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Discover How Trees Produce and Conserve Energy
Students discover the flow of energy from plants to humans, the importance of this and how the energy chain is effected. In this informational lesson students will see how energy is produced and conserved by trees and how it can be...
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The Web of Life - Ecosystem
Young scholars examine the concepts of ecosystems and interdependence. They construct block pyramids to demonstrate interdependence, and map off an area to observe and identify animals. They create food chain mobiles and play a web of...