Curated OER
Bill Gates: Sultan of Software
Young scholars learn the biography of Bill Gates including his rise to richness through Microsoft and his ability to face his adversaries in turbulent legal disputes.
Curated OER
Introduction To Natural Selection
Seventh graders investigate the concept of natural selection and it relation to the theory of evolution. They create a definition for classification based upon looking at other subjects that are similar. The variation of species is...
Curated OER
Building a Better Sentence
Sentence construction is both a science and an art. This bare bones lesson ties an analysis of earth's geology to sentence formation. Although referenced as a major part of the activity, there are no links to the technology or resources...
Curated OER
The Cycle of Restoration
Students describe what is meant by restoration cycle. In groups, they create a poster to show the cycle of restoration work. After presenting their poster, they discuss the actions that can be done for each season. To end the lesson,...
Curated OER
Water: The Liquid of Life
Sixth graders complete a lesson on the properties, types and amounts of water on Earth. In groups, they travel between stations to identify water resources in Illinois and pollution sources. They complete the lesson with a field trip...
Curated OER
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts"
Students read a paper describing Einstein's 1905 papers. They answer five teacher-provided questions in small groups to consider the importance of his findings. Students describe in personal writings what effect they think these findings...
Curated OER
Web of Wonder Lesson Plan
Students learn how all living things in an ecosystem are connected in some way. By building their own "web" your class look at energy flow through the food web system and how environmental changes disrupt the system.
Curated OER
Here Comes the Sun
Third graders watch a video on the solar system and examine the role of the sun. As a class, they complete a KWL chart and make different color temperature pockets to use during their experiment. In groups, they make predictions about...
Curated OER
Science Under Control
Students investigate and assess scientific issues for which government regulation has been or might be enacted. Using their research, students write letters to lawmakers supporting or contesting related legislative efforts.
Curated OER
The Dairy Shoppe
Fifth graders research dairy farming and learn about dairy products as well as dairy processing. In this dairy lesson, 5th graders read background information about dairy farming and processing. Students discuss running a small business...
Curated OER
The Cost of Smoking
Students explain the financial and life expectancy costs of smoking using a computer model to enter and adjust parameters to collect data in the form of a table. They analyze the data collected and determine the true cost of smoking.
Curated OER
Introduction to Farming in the United States
Students discuss basic foods and what constitutes a well-balanced meal. They identify four basic food groups, and identify food sources, such as farms.
Curated OER
The True "Cost of Cool!"
Eighth graders study hidden environmental costs in things we buy. In this consumerism lesson students watch a video about consumerism and analyze advertisements in teen magazines.
Curated OER
Timelines
Students examine evolutionary history; the earth's timeline by creating timelines. They determine the timeframes of era, epochs, and periods and study the species that were evident in each.
Curated OER
Solar Matters II
Students research solar energy. In this solar energy activity, students construct a KWL chart and research solar energy through various websites and related readings. Students complete a science journal page as an assessment.
Curated OER
Dinosaurs Here Yesterday Gone Today
Students take a pre-test to show their prior knowledge of dinosaurs. Using the internet, they reasearch the time period in which they roamed the Earth. Focusing on the area of Connecticut, they compare and contrast the large and small...
Curated OER
A Classical & Relativistic Trip to a Black Hole
High schoolers calculate distance, velocity, acceleration and time on their fantasy trip to the black hold. They apply Newton's Laws of Motion and calculate circular motion. They discuss any questions that may arise.
Curated OER
Organic and Inorganic Recycling
Students examine their role in polluting the environment and discuss the importance of recycling. In groups, they place earthworms into compost piles to observe why they are considered natural recyclers. They also practice sorting a...
Curated OER
Geologic Time Scale II
Students research the geologic time scales and the appearance of animals and plants during these eras. They complete a chart indicating the era, period and major events.
Curated OER
Crash! Bang!
Young scholars study the physical force of linear momentum by investigating collisions. They analyze the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions. They calculate linear momentum.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of a simple machine and uses the law of motion to justify why they operate. Students explore the laws by constructing some simple machines to illustrate the concepts.
Curated OER
What's In Our Backyard?
Eighth graders investigate the importance of an ecosystem by studying their own backyards. In this environmental lesson, 8th graders examine a schoolyard or backyard by marking quadrants and recording any animal or plant findings...
Curated OER
Punnett Squares
Eighth graders take a short quiz on genotypes and phenotypes. As a class, they are introduced to the concept of Punnett Squares and listen to a description of Gregor Mendel's pea experiment. In groups, they complete Punnett Squares to...
Curated OER
Living in Hurricane Country
Middle schoolers examine how hurricanes grow and their strength levels through an interactive program. They define terms associated with hurricanes and how the public is affected by the storms.