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Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Whole Cloth Quilt Design

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars examine how decorative motifs are adapted to other types of objects by craftsmen and artists. They examine photos on the Illinois State Museum website, discuss design elements, adapt a motif to a line drawing, and transfer...
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Mussel Your Way Through Photosynthesis

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students, using zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), elodea and an indicator dye, observe and record the role of light in photosynthesis. They consider plant production of carbon dioxide and the use of live materials in biological...
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Chinese New Year's Firecrackers Lesson

For Teachers All
Students make 'firecrackers' out of rolled cardboard tubes to simulate Chinese New Year's firecrackers.
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Tree Bagging

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students bag trees to determine the mass of the water given off in the evapotranspiration process.
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Superstar Bowling

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars learn the proper cues of rolling or bowling a ball and at the same time reinforcing cooperation and spelling skills.
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Plant Activities: To Dye For

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students use natural plant dyes to color their clothing as they did in the past.
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Latex Helium Balloons: Any Alternatives?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss the latex balloon release controversy and review suggested alternatives to the latex balloon.
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Fortunes

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars discuss ways people attempt to know their fortune. They study how in Japan people go to a shrine and get their fortunes. They write fortunes for their peers and share in an activity modeled on that of a Japanese Temple...
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Habitats and Functions

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students analyze and discuss insect diversity and all of the functions that insects perform in nature. They examine habitat and function cards, and distribute themselves by function and habitat.
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"Habitat Collage"

For Teachers K
Pupils create a collage of habitats in which insects are found.
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High Exposure

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars interpret data they receive from the media, discuss possible misinterpretation of data from the media and correctly respond to the misconception quiz question.
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Decomposition

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a compost pile and chart changes as the materials decompose. Students draw pictures of items placed into their "landfill" and predict how and whether the item will change or not. After two weeks, students write...
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Decomposition

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students create a compost pile and chart changes as the materials decompose. Students draw pictures of items placed into their "landfill" and predict how and whether the item will change or not. After two weeks, students write...
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Melody Words

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders compose a melody by placing words on the music staff. They play their melody words for the class.
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The Story of Red and Blue- ART

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine works in Keith Haring's Red and Blue art series and emulate his style in a piece of their own work.
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Haiku Fun!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore Haiku and create their own Haiku poem.
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Mud Fossils

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars create their own fossils in an activity using plaster of paris and a variety of objects which can be fossils, e.g. chicken bones, twigs, shells, etc. After making their fossils, they allow them to dry and discuss time and...
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Learning Strategies

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop critical thinking skills using questions exploring the Canadian Parliamentary system. The duties of a modern democracy are investigated.
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Tree Chain Game

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners identify the necessary factors for seed germination and plant growth in a game format.
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Science: Exploration Tubs

For Teachers 1st
First graders develop skills of scientific inquiry. They determine which objects float and which sink.
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Multimedia Stained Glass Window Design

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students construct and display a stained glass gothic window box made from cardboard boxes, color tissue or colored plastic sheets of mylar, and glue.
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Why Is An Apple Like A Suitcase?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine a variety of fruit to discover that each has seeds. Through experimentation, they discover the role that fruit and seeds play in a plant's life cycle.
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Modern and Contemporary Art at the Art Institute

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students view and discuss Modern and Contemporary Art at the Art Institute of Chicago. Students interpret works by Miro, Oldenberg, Cornell and de Vlaminck and discuss how they feel when viewing the pieces.
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Plants

For Teachers K
Students plant bean seeds and draw pictures of the plants as they grow. They create their own garden, plant the seeds, and keep a journal of their growth.