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Fossils

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars discuss the work of a paleontologist and examine several fossils and books on paleontology. They use clay and Plaster of Paris to create a cast of an object and compare this activity to the formation of fossils in nature.
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Determining the Age of Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the concept of radioactive dating. In this radioactive dating lesson, students investigate how to determine the ages of fossils and rocks as they learn about half-life radioactive decay.
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United States Map - Lesson 7: Four Main Directions

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students locate the North and South Poles, and learn the definitions of the four directions by using a United States Map and a globe. In this directions lesson plan, students define north, south, east, and west on a map and a globe.
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Latitude on World Maps - World Map Activity 2

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the concept of latitude. In this geography lesson, students discover the global grid system and complete a map activity which require them to record the latitude of various cities in the world.
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The Continents and Oceans of the World

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore world mapping skills. In this world geography lesson, students identify and label the continents and oceans on a world map using the Visual Thesaurus. Students generate mnemonic devices to help memorize these terms.
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Tough Boris Lesson Plan

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scholars practice their expressive voices. In this Tough Boris lesson plan, students read the story by Mem Fox, discuss feeling, and use their own voice to express emotions.
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The Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students access prior knowledge of the water cycle by completing a KWL. In this water cycle lesson, students follow the movement of water through the water cycle.
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Igneous Rock Formation

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use the computer lab to search for answers to questions on their workshet. They discuss the creation of igneouss rocks and listen as the teacher lectures about lava. Students follow directions to mix a batch of salt dough...
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Squaring Off

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students define examples of patterns and explore the makeup and purpose of patterns found in nature. They create models illustrating the patterns researched in class and relaying the purpose of patterns in various natural objects.
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Fossil Fuels vs. Alternative Fueling Systems

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders brainstorm the differences between the fossil fuels that people use in their transportation now and what they could use to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. They use a variety of techniques from webquests to writing...
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Introduction to the World Globe

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine a globe and the world map to see what constitutes the differences. In this world map introductory lesson, students discuss what they see when they view the globe. Students then, look at a world map and compare the...
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Selfless-Selfish

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students demonstrate selfless acts. In this philanthropy lesson, students read The Legend of the Blue Bonnet and discuss the selfless acts in the text. Students illustrate two acts of selflessness that they have performed.
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Passport to the World

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the process for obtaining a United States passport. They plan a trip to a foreign country looking at important information including the climate, geography, culture, money, and language. They complete the...
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Mars Curriculum

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners study Mars and other plants in the night sky. In a planetarium setting using Digitarium planetarium system, students identify the Big Dipper and Polaris. They explore the major differences between the planets and the stars. ...
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Biogeography

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders listen to a teacher led lecture about species living in different parts of the world. They study how the species spread to different parts of the world and examine the concept of dispersal. As a class, 3rd graders...
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Identifying Sea Ice

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study different types of sea ice and interview an Yupik elder or local hunter. For this sea ice lesson, students study the native language for sea ice terms. They interview an elder from Alaska's northern coast about their...
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Greetings!

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Pupils investigate the ways in which people greet each other. They read a book about greetings, participate in a role-playing game about greetings, interview family members about greeting styles and report their observations to the class.
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Build-A-Horseshoe Crab

For Teachers K - 6th
Students discover many facts about horseshoe crabs. Students identify the main body parts of horseshoe crab. They explore the habits of the horseshoe crab and their importances to the ecosystem. Adaptations for younger students are...
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Plotting Earthquakes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars, after plotting earthquake locations on the map, should correctly; identify the pattern of earthquake locations and identify the ring of fire.
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Because We Can, Should We?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify a position on an issue of geographic importance and support it They read the story "By the Waters of Babylon," and write a paragraph explaining what they think the relationship between Babylon and the Biblical referene...
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Discovery Science Center Activities

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a variety of experiments to meet science goals.  In this life sciences instructional activity, 4th graders make yogurt, discover the attraction of opposite charges in electricity, learn the effects of...
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Ancient Origins: The Role of Archaeology in Reconstructing the Past

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students read information about the ancient origins of art and archaeology with a focus on the Malian culture. In this art origins lesson, students read background information for the topic and compare ancient and contemporary objects....
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The Scientist in Me

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students make a poster.  In this scientist lesson plan, students define the term scientist, draw pictures of themselves as scientists, and write about what they would study as a scientist.
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Famous Volcanoes

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars investigate volcanoes, especially the ones that have caused extensive damage.  In this famous volcanoes lesson students choose from a list of projects and work as a team to complete.