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US Geography: The Midwest
Students investigate the geography and agricultural products of the Midwestern United States. In this US geography lesson, students watch and discuss a video that depicts the Midwest of the US as the breadbasket of the country. They make...
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Watersheds: The San Francisco Bay Watershed
Sixth graders make a model of a watershed. In this geography lesson, 6th graders view a shaded relief map of California and locate landmarks. Students examine the San Francisco Bay Watershed by following the journey of water through the...
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To Fish or Not to Fish?
Students demonstrate the decision-making process for marine reserves designations. In this role-playing lesson students analyze maps and data relating to a proposed reserve. They formulate the best decisions based on overall issues.
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Early Industrialization
Eighth graders analyze primary source documents emphasizing young people in factory labor (mill workers during 1840-1860). They study hours of labor, ages of laborers, reasons for working, and working conditions. They write a poem or song.
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Landfills: A Solid Waste Management Plan
Young scholars are able to list the types of household waste that they produce daily. They are able to describe some other types of waste that are produced by industry or agriculture to help maintain their lifestyles. Students are able...
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Flowers and Plants
Students are assigned to bring five flowers. They explore flowers to distinguish different physical features of flowers. They compare and contrast different flowers to determine what features they have in common. Students develop an...
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Happy Endings: The Final Battle
Fifth graders explore all the myths of the battle of Yorktown. A variety of primary documents are viewed and analyzed for discussion. They become aware that what one sees and hears is not always as it seems in reality. Each group...
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Missouri Rice Farming
Sixth graders investigate rice farming in Missouri. In this percentages lesson plan, 6th graders determine how much rice production has increased over time. Students find this number in percentages. Students then figure the percent of...
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Traveling Through Time, Wetland Style
Students create a timeline on the development of the Pajaro Valley Area. In this social science lesson, students discuss the changes that took place in the area over the past 300 years. They draw a pictures of how the area has changed...
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About Life: The Photographs of Dorothea Lange
Students use art to analyze a period in history. In this instructional activity about the effect of art on history, students study many different pieces of photography by Dorothea Lange. Students will observe photographs from certain...
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Genetic Engineering
Learners are introduced to the concept of genetic engineering. In groups, they participate in a variety of experiments, in which they analyze the effect of chemicals on different substances. Using the internet, they research gossypol,...
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The Interrelationships of Soil, Water and Fertilizers and How They Affect Plant Growth
Students examine how different nutrients in the soil and fertilizers affect plant growth. In groups, they participate in a role play in which allows them to see the interactions of humans and plants. They also read articles and record...
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Food Safety From Food To Fork
Learners are introduced to the concept of food safety. In groups, they distinguish between fact and opinion and cause and effect while participating in a board game. They write an essay about what knowledge they gained and review the...
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Rice: The Global Crop
Students understand the uniqueness of the rice plant and how it grows. Students compare rice growing in Indonesia and California, observing the steps common to the process everywhere. Students comprehend the concepts labor-intensive and...
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Biotechnology: Monster or Miracle
Students explore biotechnology. For this scenario-based lesson, students take a survey on what they know about genetic engineering, view a PowerPoint, and conduct a web quest. Students will then be placed in groups, and produce one of...
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Creek Monitoring
Sixth graders conduct a variety of assessments at a local stream to determine if it is a suitable habitat for salmon. They measure temperature, tubidity, dissolved oxygen, pH levels, bacteria and nutrients. In this unit, 6th graders work...
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Wartime and the Bill of Rights: The Korematsu Case
Students examine the balance between civil liberties and protection. In this national security lesson, students explore the Korematsu case which references the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Students draw comparisons between...
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Shake, Rattle & Roll
Students examine soil. In this science instructional activity, students examine the layers of soil. Students collect soil from various locations and separate the layers. Students record and chart their findings.
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Conserving Resources by Watering Efficiently
Students determine a watering schedule that promotes healthy grass growth. In this plants and natural resource conservation activity, students plant grass seed in liter bottles and follow two different schedules that include "more...
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The Dairy Shoppe
Fifth graders research dairy farming and learn about dairy products as well as dairy processing. In this dairy lesson plan, 5th graders read background information about dairy farming and processing. Students discuss running a small...
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Eat Your Plants
Students explore fruits and vegetables. In this fruits and vegetables lesson, students work in small groups investigating plant parts. Students discover that fruits and vegetables originate from different parts of plants.
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We Garden: My Life as a Fruit or Vegetable
Students explore agriculture by participating in a role-play activity. In this farm to fork activity, students ask and answer questions as though they were a specific plant about to be eaten. Students write responses to critical thinking...
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Risky Ranching Florida
In this Risky Ranching worksheet, students watch the video Risky Ranching by America's Heartland and answer short answer questions about it. Students answer 6 questions.
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Texas, Yes!
For this Texas worksheet, students watch the video Texas, Yes! by America's Heartland and answer short answer questions about it. Students answer 5 questions.