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Yesterday in Energy
Clever! Collaborative groups of environmental scientists create a museum exhibit and presentation for an energy-using activity such as heating a home or transportation. They must compare past to present use of energy for that particular...
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The Search for El Nino
Sixth graders complete an El Nino scavenger hunt. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders describe the conditions that create El Nino and compare it to normal condition. They discuss how this phenomenon affects marine ecosystem.
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Roger the Rock
Here is a creative way to assess your geologists' grasp of the rock cycle: have them write and illustrate a children's book in which the main character journeys though his life, i.e. the rock cycle! A brief student instruction sheet and...
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All The Seasons
Students explore winter, spring, summer, and fall. In this science and technology lesson plan, students use "Kid Pix" to draw pictures that represent the four seasons.
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Creatures of the Sea
Fourth graders complete a two-month long unit on the physical characteristics of the oceans and animal environments. They create a "Creatures of the Sea" alphabet book in collaboration with a kindergarten class, conduct Internet...
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Michigan Ecosystems: The Web They Weave
Young scholars examine the forest ecosystem and how all life in the forest depends upon itself. Â In this ecological lesson, students participate in a personal connections activity where someone pulls on a string and everyone feels it,...
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What is Wind Chill?
Middle schoolers calculate wind chill using a mathematical formula. For this earth science lesson, students compare the wind chill in Antarctica to that of their local area. They explain how this can lead to hypothermia.
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The Coral Reef
Fourth graders discuss life in a coral reef, and view photographs and a computer program about coral reefs. They design and create colorful watercolor, ink, and crayon drawings of coral reefs.
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Solar System Search
Learners research topics related to space and the planets using the Internet. They explore various websites, construct scale models of the solar system, and create a travel brochure using HyperStudio computer software.
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Saving An Endangered Species
Second graders participate in a fundraiser for an endangered species. They evaluate websites for animal adoption/sponsorship, select an endangered species, and develop, advertise, and implement a fund-raising plan for their selected...
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Student Meteorologists
Students complete a unit about weather and meteorology. They read the book "The Big Storm," use weather equipment, view local weather reports, and create a weather forecast that is videotaped and presented to a younger class.
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Who Are the Aliens in Our Inland Seas?
Young scholars work in teams to research specific landforms in Great Lakes Watershed, compile information into data table, and write legend explaining landform for children's book. Students then research area surrounding landform,...
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There Was An Old Lady...
First graders read "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" and use Kid Pix to identify characters from the story. In this character identification lesson, 1st graders first hear several versions of the classic tale, and then locate...
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Solar System Slide Show
Students work in small groups to research a planet in our Solar System in order to compare it to Earth. They examine the planet's size, atmosphere, rotation and revolution periods, temperature, and other attributes. They collect...
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Biome-Ecology Unit with a "Design a Zoo" Extension
Young scholars participate in a three part unit about biomes. Part one, students research the biomes of North America and part two consists of research on zoos and a field trip to a zoo. While part three ties together the first two...
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Traverse City Trouble Makers
Students investigate how to become advocates in an authentic environmental issue, in this case the invasion of the zebra mussel invasion of the Great Lakes. They complete graphic organizers during Internet research, while reading...
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The Year You Were Born
Learners research a variety of events that occurred during the year they were born. They conduct Internet research, conduct interviews, and organize their research information into a report using HyperStudio.
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My Heritage Country Report
Students list five food dishes that are part of their family's heritage. Each student then does research of a country and a recipe (possibly a family recipe). With the help of members of his/her kitchen group, the student prepares the dish.
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Identity Box
Students examine how the work (paid or voluntary) they do in the past, present, and future affects and is affected by the communities to which they belong. They realize that human beings' perceptions of one another based on age, sex,...