US Department of Energy
Geothermal Energy
With Earth Day quickly approaching, as well as many science fairs, why not challenge your class to investigate geothermal energy or other renewable energy resources? There are five driving questions explored in depth here, as well as...
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Mythical Beasts
Students explore literature and art forms containing creatures that are part human and part animal, such as the Greek Sphinx, Neptune, or the Green Centaur. Individually, students write a poem or short story to create a character with...
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Making Peace
Students examine how African societies view their family and ancestors and settle disputes. They create a spirit doll, and role-play conflict resolution using the ancestor figure dolls.
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Rock On And Carve Off
Sixth graders work in groups of four to create one subtractive relief bust out of clay. Team results are shared and discussed to analyze the degree of planning and skillful manipulation of materials necessary to complete a limestone bust.
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Memorializing September 11, 2001
Students use the Internet to research monuments. They design models of appropriate memorials which would honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. They complete oral presentations that...
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The Year of the Rabbit
Students explore a portion of the Chinese Zodiac with projects centered around the year of the rabbit. Students research types of rabbits, actual and fictional. Working in groups, they create a written or multimedia presentation.
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Meso-America
Students will identify and locate Central and South America and their countries and features, as well as Meso-American civilizations. Students will compare civilizations and discuss voyages of relevant explorers.
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Exploring China
Second graders explore the geography, holidays, important teachers, and inventions from China in the nine lessons of this unit. The results of their inquiries are expressed through a variety of products, writings, and presentations.
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Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Natural Dyes
Second graders explore the work of Americans when it came to coloring materials. In this interdisciplinary lesson, 2nd graders follow the provided steps to make natural goldenrod dye from scratch.
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Egypt's Greatest Leaders
Students study about seven of Egypt's most famous pharaohs. They discuss leadership styles and draw conclusions about the success of each of these pharaohs. They, in groups, create a project about a pharaoh they studied.
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Time Line of Astronomy Events and Discoveries
Students work in groups to present a segment of a timeline of events and discoveries in astronomy. For this astronomy lesson plan, students teach their classmates about their section of the timeline.
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Make Your Own Petroglyph!
Students create their own petroglyph. In this petroglyph lesson, students study and compare various petroglyphs. They create their own petroglyph to symbolize the seasons.
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What's Right and Wrong? Moral Messages in Art
Students explore the Steen and Mount paintings and their presentation of moral issues. They discuss ethical debates in society today and write a short position paper on an issue raised by the paintings or in the discussion. They make a...
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Ojibwa Arts
Students create a poem based on the Native American Ojibwa art that they read about. For this Ojibwa art lesson plan, students read captions and look at pictures of Ojibwa art and then make up a poem based on them.
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Colossal Structures and Sculptures
Fifth graders explore the historical, procedural, and comparative studies of colossal sculptures and structures in this six lessons unit. The cooperative efforts of many people to complete the works is emphasized.
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Make a Paper Mache Bowl
Students create a paper mache bowl. In this paper mache lesson, students use wallpaper paste, newspapers, and paint brushes to construct a paper mache bowl. Students decorate their bowl with unique designs.
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I'm Being Followed By a Moonshadow
Pupils explore solar and lunar eclipses and how the sun, Earth, and moon cause them.
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The New Explorers: Miracle Dolphin
Learners view "Miracle Dolphin" which tells the fascinating story of a fable that came true and explores both the story and the science of Holly's life among the Bedouins of Nuweiba El Muzena.
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Silk: Scientific Inquiry Through Chinese Art
Students investigate the many uses of silk in Chinese society through in-class experiments, group projects, and hands-on learning in this cross-curricular instructional activity. There are four main activities included in this...
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Imhotep
Sixth graders compose an original story about Imhotep and his step-pyramid. They also must include what Egyptian architecture and society was like before the pyramid, how the pyramid was constructed and predictions of what life will be...
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Immigration and American Life on African-Americans
Students examine how human migration started in Africa, and draw maps of Africa and place the names of the countries and capitals on the maps. They write essays on how Africans came to America.
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My How Things Have Changed
Eighth graders discuss the impact geography had on hunter-gatherer societies, their toolmaking. They work in groups to create a Web page that links pictures of artifacts to explanations about what the artifact tell us about the lives of...