Virginia Department of Education
Passing Traits to Offspring
What makes each one of us unique? Lead your class in this exciting and educational activity as you uncover traits that show how each individual is different from another. Pupils explore facts about DNA technology and predict the...
Reed Novel Studies
Old Yeller: Novel Study
Fred Gipson's Old Yeller tells of a stray yellow dog who becomes the best friend a boy could ever have. While reading the novel, learners complete sentences with new vocabulary words, answer comprehension questions, and create...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Design 'Y'er Genes
How do changes in DNA affect an organism? Scholars explore chromosomes, genes, DNA, and mutations by modeling the DNA of a strawberry. They build a DNA model, then manipulate it to show how changing the genes transforms the strawberry...
Curated OER
Soil, Designing the Small Farm of the Future
Young scholars examine the history of farming. In this environmental farming activity, students explore the web and complete a variety of activities in order to understand the necessity of local, sustainable, and small farms for the...
Curated OER
Green Genes: Genetically Modified Organisms in Our Food
Students investigate how and why genetically modified organisms are used as food crops. They identify the advantages and disadvantages of these crops through internet research then present their views and discuss them as a large group.
Curated OER
Measurement: When Degrees Matter
Eighth graders record the temperature change of the beakers. In this general science lesson, 8th graders create their own data table for recording observations. They discuss experimental results and cite real life applications.
Curated OER
How Should Our Gardens Grow?
Students examine different types of land use by humans and evaluate the ways land is used in their local community. They also consider the environmental effects of the different types of land use. Students assume the role of community...
Curated OER
Farmers Use Falcons to Protect Berries
Students share information about falcons, then read about how farmers are using falcons. For this falcon lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...
Curated OER
The Invasion of the Medfly
Students examine the invasion of the fruit fly in California. In groups, they observe and record the fruit fly's lifecycle and how they affect humans in society. They also discuss the history and geography of the fly and the different...
Curated OER
Are You Thirsty? The Effects of Pollution on Drinking Water
Discuss the availability of clean, plentiful water and the causes of water pollution. In groups, sixth graders discuss problem-solving methods for keeping water clean. They explore the function of water treatment plants and perform...
Curated OER
Drought, nomads and the price of peanuts
Students read two short text items, which describe different approaches to agriculture. They describe the likely advantages and disadvantages of each approach for farmers, commercial peanut buyers, the government, nomadic herdsman and...
Curated OER
Great Barrier Reef-Guarding Nemo
Learners explore the Great Barrier Reef. In this environmental stewardship instructional activity, students conduct research regarding the Great Barrier Reef and examine methods to preserve the Reef. Learners apply the RAFT method to...
Curated OER
Managing Your Food Money
Students investigate family budgeting methods. In this family budget activity, students examine the wages and expenditures of family and participate in a simulation that requires them to employ the envelope budget method.
Curated OER
Groundwater and Ecology
Students are presented a problem concerning an aquifer which may be in danger from overuse by agriculture/industry. They compile data and consult online data and experts in creating a proposal to rectify the situation.
Curated OER
Just Lookin' For a Home
What is a boll weevil? Your class can find out that and more by following the activities included here. Pupils read an article, sing a boll weevil song, add to the song with their own original lyrics, illustrate the song, study the...
Curated OER
The History of Maple Syrup
Students explore the process of harvesting maple syrup. In this science and history instructional activity, students make their own maple syrup and create a picture book that shows the Native American and American pioneer methods of...
Curated OER
Planning: To Get Enough Money for Food
Students investigate methods that families use for planning meals and budgeting for them. In this nutrition lesson, students complete activities that require them to determine how much it costs to feed children at different ages....
Curated OER
Feeding the World
Students participate in a Socratic discussion about world hunger. In this world hunger activity, students review the Socratic discussion method and use it to discuss an initiative to reduce world hunger. Students answer discussion...
Curated OER
God's Creation
Second graders explore religion by analyzing the state of the country. In this American creation lesson, 2nd graders read that God created the world and therefore the United States and all of the beautiful things within the country....
Curated OER
Seed Diversity
Students explore agriculture by researching different seeds. In this seed identification lesson, students collaborate in small groups to analyze a package of different seeds. Students utilize a magnifying glass to examine each seed...
Curated OER
Utah Becomes a State—1890
Students read about and discuss the geography and statehood of Utah. In this Homestead Act lesson plan, students read the Homestead Act and discuss its effects. Students analyze a precipitation map and work in pairs to answer discussion...
Curated OER
Sorting Gourds
Students discover different types of gourds. In this plant comparison lesson, students compare and contrast several types of gourds based on shape, color and texture. Students observe a video clip based on sorting gourds.
Curated OER
LET'S TRADE
The students will become familiar with the methods used to trade agricultural products between countries.1. Allow students to research the trade embargoes the United States has imposed on other countries.
2. Use encyclopedias and...