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Insects
Second graders brainstorm and identify several types of common insects. They play bug bingo, building bugs and an insect tree, observing real insects in the classroom and examining some of the things insects make.
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Horse Sense
Students research wild horses in the American West. They brainstorm how they can help preserve the wild horses.
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Testing and Refining Aircraft Design
Learners design and make a flying device. They work in small groups to brainstorm ideas for the design of their device. They choose an idea or combination of ideas to use for their design and create a sketch of their design. The students...
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Man's Struggle for Environmental Preservation
Students examine the way all living things are connected to one another. In groups, they participate in experiments in which they analyze the chemical processes through the biosphere and explain the role of energy. They also brainstorm...
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Case Study - Tragedy of the Commons
Students role play being a fisherman and fulfill the goals they are given from a description sheet. Other students observe the fisherman and record their behavior and actions. The class then discusses how this activity was an example...
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Conservation in Costa Rica
Students brainstorm what they do that requires land use and use a worksheet to calculate their footprint (the total area of land and water required to produce all the resources they consume). They then compare their footprints to each...
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Salmon Vs. Dams: the Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Students role-play a meeting of the Elwha River council in which they present opposing views to council members on hydroelectric power and salmon fisheries resources. They brainstorm possible conflicts between various people in land-use...
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Extinction Extravagance
Students brainstorm and discuss what it means for a species to be considered endangered and/or extinct. They research animals in Puerto Rico and choose one that is considered endangered and create a poster about it. In addition, they...
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Simple Machines
Fourth graders discover the principles and uses of gears noting that they can be used to change the direction of motion or the speed of an object. They may also change the force and/or distance through which an object turns. They then...
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Build Your Own Simple DC Motor
Students, after brainstorming how we interact with some kind of motor every day in our lives, explore how to build their own DC motor. They collect all the parts needed for their experiment and review all safety precautions. In addition,...
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Chemical Formulas
Students assess how to go from writing ionic chemical formulas to nomenclature and naming chemical compounds. They brainstorm former studies and share their thoughts in small groups. A list of everyday products (shampoos, toothpaste,...
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The Genocide Teaching Project
Students investigate what genocide is as well as places that it is found in the 20th century. They trace the history of genocide back to the events that occurred in Sudan's history. Brainstorming ways to prevent the ongoing conflicts and...
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The Wonderful world of Water
First graders examine the water cycle through readings and experiments. In groups, they conduct interviews with others and use the information to create a chart displaying the various uses of water. After brainstorming lists of ways to...
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Seed Sensation
Students explore seeds through dissecting, sorting, comparing and contrasting. They draw their observations of both a closed and open seed and then they label the parts of a seed. They brainstorm where seeds come from. They compare seeds...
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Pollinator Habitats
Students read and discuss background information included with this lesson. They brainstorm the best sources for developing a list of native or migratory pollinators. Students work in groups to design habitats based on information...
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Students brainstorm and share opinions about products that can be reused or recycled after reading the article, "Seattle's Recycling Success Is Being Measured in Scraps." They then investigate, analyze and evaluate articles on recycling...
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Forensics Crime Lab
Students brainstorm ways to look for evidence and investigate suspects. In this investigative lesson students pretend to be investigators and analyze a crime scene.
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Using the Carbon Cycle Interactive Game in the Classroom
Students play a game. In this carbon cycle lesson, students read The Carbon Cycle, list places where carbon is found on Earth, brainstorm why carbon is important and play an online interactive game.
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Water Conservation
Students explore types of water reserves. In this water conservation instructional activity, students brainstorm ways water are used in their homes. Students use a graduated cylinder to simulate the amount of water on Earth and the...
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The Water Cycle in a Bowl
Students conduct an experiment on the stages of the Water Cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students view the materials needed for the experiment and brainstorm how they relate to the Water Cycle. Students conduct an experiment where...
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Creating Posters
Students design original posters that encourage good attitudes towards the environment. In this positive environment activity, students brainstorm and create a list of positive behaviors for a good environment. Students create posters...
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Introduction to Trees and Wood
Students examine samples from various types of trees. In this trees and wood instructional activity, students review The Giving Tree and complete a KWL chart on trees. Students brainstorm what we get from trees and view wood samples...
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Carbon Cycle Game
In this carbon cycle lesson, middle schoolers review the carbon cycle and visit stations in the room where they experience every phase in the carbon cycle. Students journal about their journey through the cycle and brainstorm ways humans...
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Waste Aggregates and Material Properties
Students define specific waste materials that could be used as aggregate in concrete. In this aggregate and waste lesson plan, students brainstorm on how to incorporate waste in construction and define different aggregate materials.