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Comparing the Effects of El Nino and La Nina

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine the differences between an El Nino and La Nina year.  In this investigative lesson students create maps and graphs of the data they obtained. 
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Living in the Greenhouse

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students discuss the different types of climate zones found throughout the world. They participate in activities which relate to real events. They make observations and the consequences of their actions on the environment.
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Where Are the Bugs?

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students trap, collect and identify arthropods in a newly created desert tortoise preserve area over a period of one school year. They determine the rate at which various arthropods take up residence in the newly landscaped area. Data is...
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People of the Desert

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars study the importance of caring for desert water sources. In this desert instructional activity, students investigate water resources that are available in deserts. They listen to a read aloud about the Sonoran Desert...
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Opening Doors to Social Studies with Children's Literature: The Desert Alphabet Book

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students explore the geography of the United States. In this social studies lesson, students identify the major deserts on a map of the United States.
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Quiz: Animals of the Desert

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
In this science worksheet, learners complete a 10 question multiple choice quiz about desert animals. The answers are provided with explanations upside down on the page.
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Desert Dwellers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study deserts and how they occur.  In this desert lesson students research deserts and desertification then divide into groups and come up with an action plan to help rehabilitate these areas. 
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Journey to Topaz, a Literature Based Approach

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students view a video clip of the experiences of Japanese-Americans during World War II. They read parts of a book in which a child tells her story about living in the internment camps. They participate in a simulation activity as well.
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I Can Find that Where? - A Study of Landforms

For Teachers 1st
First graders make landform maps of the United States. In this landform lessons, 1st graders participate in a discussion of local landforms and make a landform map of the United States. They follow the teacher's directions to add plains,...
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N.A.M.I.B. (Namib Animal Mobile of Interesting Birds)

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Pupils investigate the birds of the Namib Desert. They watch and discuss a video, and color and construct a bird mobile of the various birds that live in the Namib Desert.
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The Formation and Value of Temperate Grasslands

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners get an overview of the climate and organisms of the North American Prairie. After a lecture, and watching some videos imbedded in this plan, students compile research data on the North American Prairie.
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Exploring Biomes Lesson 2: Biome Research

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners view a PowerPoint presentation on biomes and their classifications. Divide them into groups and assign them each an individual biome to research. There are pictures of the PowerPoint slides and notes about what to teach for...
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The Desert Alphabet Book

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students use a book to discover an interesting fact from the desert using each letter of the alphabet. Using a United States map, they identify the meanings of symbols and locate deserts within the U.S. In groups, they participate in...
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Changing Perspectives on the Japanese Internment Experience

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the issue of Japanese-American internment. In this World War II lesson plan, students analyze historical biases regarding Japanese-American internment as they analyze literature, research print and Internet...
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Harvest the Wind

For Teachers 5th - 7th Standards
Wind is a natural resource available around the world. Help your pupils appreciate the power and importance of wind by researching wind farms, making pinwheels, and designing windmills. 
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The Rigors of Learning a New Language

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine the experiences of a Peace Corps volunteer learning to speak Chinese. They read and discuss an essay written by the Peace Corps volunteer, analyze a map of China, and discuss the author's difficulties in learning the...
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The Rigors of Learning a New Language

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners read an autobiography of a peace corps volunteer studying Chinese. In this cultural acceptance lesson, students compare the dialects of Chinese with English dialects. Learners discuss the differences in learning and teaching a...
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Splish-Splash: Daily Use of Water

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore the daily use of water in Kenya and Ghana. In this Peace Corps lesson, students compare similarities and differences between water use by people in Kenya and Ghana and their own communities as...
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Tour Of South America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore South America. In this geography lesson, students research landmarks of historical or national significance and use their findings to create slideshows.
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Desertification

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the process of desertification in the Sahel region of Africa. They discuss photos from a National Geographic magazine, analyze the physical/political map of the Sahara, identify the causes and effects of...
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The Sahara: Home of the Tuareg

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and analyze the Tuareg and other groups as well, including their own, and examine the impact culture has on environment.
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Weather and Climate Around the World

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explain the difference between climate and weather. They gain concepts of currents and discuss how the currents have an affect on climate and weather. Students gain knowledge of the instruments that meteorologists use to predict...
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The Importance of Being Flexible and Open-minded as a Visitor to Another Culture: Lesson 2 For "The Train Ride Home"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the advantages of being flexible when visiting or living in a different culture. They read and discuss a first-hand account by a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan, and write a letter from the point of view of a...
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The Middle East: Land of Contrasts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the ancient city of Petra. In this Middle East activity, students watch "The Royal Tour of Jordan," and then discuss the history of Petra. Middle schoolers conduct research on selected sites in the city and use...