Second graders, after spending several weeks developing skills necessary to become a "Community Development Team," create and build their vision of a community. Consideration is given for needs and wants, food, shelter, safety concerns,...

Young scholars gain an understanding of the U.S. Census. In this social studies civics lesson plan, students explore understand the link between the census and the availability of community services.

Thirty-eight pages of information prepares you to assign middle or high schoolers a project on sustainable energy. They take a pretest, review the scientific method, conduct background research, and finally choose an experiment to carry...

While cities had only a small fraction of the population in colonial America, they played a significant role in pre-revolutionary years, and this was certainly true for the largest city in the North American colonies: Philadelphia. Your...

Auntie Litter is here to educate young scholars about water pollution and environmental stewardship! Although the 15-minute video clip is cheesy, it's an engaging look at the water cycle and conservation. Learners start by illustrating...

Students examine a globe to locate the bodies of water present and create a representation of those bodies of water for further exploration of the concept. Extensions of their observations are made at school, home, and the community.

How is wind produced and is it a good source for energy production? Get some air moving in your class. Learners take a pre-test, watch a demonstration of how electricity can be generated by wind energy, test different turbine factors for...

Students explore botany by conducting a sunflower growth experiment. For this plant life lesson, students identify the anatomy of a sunflower plant and the essential nutrients it requires to grow. Students utilize compost, soil, garden...

The Olympics are about more than sports—at times, the games are also a place of racism and prejudice! Pupils investigate the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. They analyze the meaning behind the materials included in the United States...

Learners identify the common trees of Iowa and make observations while creating a key. In this tree hunt lesson plan, students write a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to receive a pamphlet of Common Trees of Iowa....

Middle schoolers investigate recycling at several scales, including local, state, national and global. They become aware of recycling, re-use, reduce efforts and policies. Students read the article Where Does Your Garbage Go. They look...

First graders identify the different stages in the hydrologic cycle. To study earth science, they investigate how sunlight affects the earth's temperature. They also discuss how the sun's energy is transformed.

Students in this inquiry-based experiment, put in the role of a method development chemist. The scenario they are given is that a train wreck has occurred resulting in a chemical spill. Students are told that the spill mixture consists...

Students study the characteristics of wetlands. They are introduced to terms and different examples of wetlands. The hands-on activity reinforces the different parts of the wetlands, and provides a working model of a wetland.

Students explore garbage. In this landfill lesson, students investigate how much garbage is collected in landfills on average each day. Students discover hazardous materials that are disposed of improperly and the effects of these...

Students engage in a variety of activities to develop the skills they need to answer questions about themselves. They respond to questions relating to their ages, names and favorite colors.

Students put together a potato battery that powers a digital clock. In this potato battery lesson plan, students learn the connection between energy from biomass and how we can apply it.

Students explore nonrenewable energy resources. For this coal lesson, students investigate how coal is formed and how it is used as a source of energy. Students mine for "coal" using toothpicks and chocolate chip cookies.

Students explore geography by participating in a mapping activity. For this concentric ring lesson, students utilize a poster board, string and markers to identify their current location within the entire world. Students write about...

Students study a variety of math concepts in the context of cooking up a meal. In this math instructional activity, students calculate surface area and volume. They draw and interpret different types of graphs.

Seventh graders examine the different types of pollutants. In this environmental science lesson, 7th graders observe particulate matter under a microscope. They explain how these can affect once health when breathed in large quantities...

Students review what the three bees are: respect, responsibility and safety. Individually, they use the internet to complete a webquest to examine how to be respectful to others and be responsible for their actions. To end the lesson,...

Students examine the different formats book reviews can be presented. As a class, they brainstorm what they already know about writing a book review adding to a concept web. They write their own review using the tips giving to them and...

Students explore what type of solutions freeze. They design their own experiments to compare how fresh water and salt water freezes. In addition, they write their observations in a journal and complete analysis questions.