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ABCs of Endangered Species
Learners create an ABC Book of Endangered Animals that includes locator maps, "fast facts," and explanations about why those animals are endangered.
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Know Bones About It!
Students make a model of a major skeletal muscle group. They consider how their life might change if they didn't have, or lack use of, this particular muscle group.
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Time in a Capsule
Students analyze the meaning and process of categorizing items, people and events as 'the best.' students then defend pieces of literature, images, and sounds that they feel most represent 'the best of the 20th century.'
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Life and Death Decisions
Students defend contrasting perspectives concerning the purpose of medicine and the issues surrounding euthanasia.
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Vision Of The Future
Students investigate ways in which new vision tests and technologies can be used to help detect and correct vision problems. They begin by reading the Times article, Software May Replace the Eye Chart on the Wall. They stage a medical...
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Don't Burn, Baby, Burn!
Students consider products that provide protection from sunburn and other negative effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays. They develop or improve upon sun-screening products that are meant to provide protection for populations at risk...
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Isn't It Ionic?
Students research the properties and health risks of organic chemical solvents. They create a Safety with Solvents newsletter to share with others in their school and community.
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Understanding Bias
Students participate in an interactive writing and discussion activity, on the study of bias, as it is used in political debate and decision making. They evaluate the presentation of material and its importance in making informed decisions.
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Working Like a Dog
Students consider ways animals help human beings with certain chores, then research more specific tasks dogs are trained to do. They create a help wanted ad enumerating the traits a dog should have before applying for a particular position.
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You Say You Want an Evolution?
Young scholars estimate the number of living organisms they might find in their local environment. After researching the types of organisms that existed during various geologic time periods, students describe how life forms have changed...
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Making Waves, Making Music, Making Noise
Middle schoolers construct "talking cans" and instruments to explain how vibration of objects produces various sounds.
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Dinosaur Skeletons
Students investigate the anatomy of a dinosaur, describe its skeleton, and arrange pretend bones using toothpicks, popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, and a variety of wooden beads.
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Monkeying Around
Third graders study machines. They watch a video about and identify and chart machines they find at home and at school. They design and build simple and compound machines, create an advertisement for them and attempt to sell them at the...
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Design a Book Cover
Students explore character, plot, setting, symbolism, and conflict for a book that they are reading. Sample book covers are provided and students apply what they have learned by designing a book cover.
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Impressionism
Students explore and discuss Impressionism and artists, like Monet and Renoir, who defined the Impressionism Art Movement, choose an artist to research, and create web sites based on their research.
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Let's Go to the Farm!
Discover the animals which live on a farm through listening to a story about farm animals and conduct a simple research. Youngsters will create a class Web site about farm animals and provide information about each animal.
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Exploring Symmetry
Students use a software program to create artwork and to manipulate images to study mirror and rotational symmetry. They take pictures of items in their environment in which they identify symmetry.
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Magical Metamorphosis
Students explore the life cycle of the butterfly and the process of metamorphosis through the creation of painted life cycle habitat. They place each part of the cycle in the correct location through the use of a visual diagram.
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Exploring the Galapagos
Students explore the species found in the Galapagos Islands and practice descriptive writing skills by creating a sample journal. They create a fictional journal that documents the places they visit and the species they encounter.
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Change the Face of History
Middle schoolers create and write a "Choose Your Own Adventure" story as they investigate the Revolutionary War. They choose a historical figure who played a key role in the war who meets other influential figures and has the opportunity...
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What Does That Flag Mean?
Students describe how symbolism is used in flags as they research the symbolism in country flags and create a new flag design. They begin investigating the meaning behind the Olympic flag and then continue with the flags of South Africa...
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Exploring California's Regions
Students participate in small groups to create a California's Region map. They research and identify the climate, geographic features, and one or two special features of their assigned region.
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Chinese Mythology
Seventh graders examine creation myths of China, discuss how myths reflect Chinese culture, differentiate between Chinese and Greek creation myths, and explore place of myths in Chinese culture as compared to their place in other...
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Exploring the Daoist worldview
Students study the accompanying quotes from the Dao dejing, the Zhuangzi and other Daoist writings. They determine particular implications for knowledge issues and ways of knowing.