Curated OER
Ducks in the Flow: Resources about Surface Ocean Currants for the Upper Elementary Classroom
Students investigate surface ocean currents. In this oceanography lesson, students work in small groups to create models that demonstrate surface currents, the Coriolis Effect, and how surface currents move debris. This lesson includes a...
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Where is the Water?
Pupils explore freshwater ecosystems. For this geography lesson, students brainstorm all the lakes and rivers they know then mark them on a map. Pupils will then mark all the major freshwater resources on each of the seven continents,...
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North Carolina Salt Dough Map Social Studies Project
In this instructional activity, North Carolina Salt Dough Map, 4th graders create a salt dough map of North Carolina,  Students use dough to form the shape of the state of North Carolina.  Students label the three regions of North...
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Osprey Journey
Students investigate the migration route of one bird, Osprey B4, using information gathered from satellites to track birds over a two-year period. They coimpare their graphs with maps of B4's migrations that have been plotted by...
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Brine Shrimp Hatching Experiment
Students hatch brine shrimp in a classroom experiment. In this hatching brine shrimp lesson, students participate in two-week lab in which they study how brine shrimp hatch under different conditions. They record data about the control...
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Canadian Studies Exercise
In this Canadian history worksheet, 6th graders review many aspects of Canadian studies. Students complete 10 fill in the blank questions, 5 essay questions and 10 true/false questions.
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Wetland Adaptation
Fourth graders study the impact of the wetland environment on the migration of birds.  They  make a list of the important reasons on a large piece of paper to be posted in the classroom and point out the biggest wetland in the state (The...
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Ancient Highways-Native Byways of Salmon Lake State Park
Eighth graders investigate the concept of the trail system used by the Native Americans. They compare and contrast the trails to modern transportation roadways of today. Students also define the types of information archaeologists use to...
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A Funny Taste
Students participate in a demonstration that illustrates the relative amounts of salt in various bodies of water including the Dead Sea, Sallt Lake, Ocean water and distilled water. They taste and compare various mixtures.
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Outdoor Survival
Students are introduced to basic outdoor survival concepts. They identify the seven basic needs for survival. Students describe the symptoms and treatment for frostbite and hypothermia. They compare and contrast the value of different...
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FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA
Identify agricultural products grown in each region of the country.
Discuss how geography affects what is grown or raised in a particular area.1. Hand out a copy of the two activity sheets "Food From Sea to Shining Sea" to each student....
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Third Grade Language Activities
In this grade three language worksheet, students read several short passages, completing a multiple choice question for each, 25 total. 
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Galaxy Adventure
Working in groups, learners create a mnemonic device, give an oral presentation, and create a pictorial representation of the correct sequence of the planets and asteroid belt from the sun. An assessment rubric is included in the...
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Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife
Students examine the role of Purple Loosestrife in Illinois and Indiana rivers.  In groups, they collect a wide variety of plants in a wetland and raise beetles in a controlled environment.  They introduce the loosestrife into the...
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An Early American Culture
Young scholars identify the locations of the Hopewell culture. In this map skills instructional activity, students use a globe to mark several locations of the Hopewell culture.
Syracuse University
Erie Canal
While canals are not the way to travel today, in the first half of the nineteenth century, they were sometimes the best way to move goods and people. Scholars examine primary sources, including maps and pictures, to investigate the role...
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Aquatic Exotics
Students identify and describe the aquatic exotic species found in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the species origins and discover their effects on native species in the area. They discuss how appropriate it is to introduce...
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Exploring the History of the I&M Canal
Students examine the building of the I & M canal in Chicago. Using the internet, they research the lives of the individuals who worked on the construction and develop a timeline of events. They explore the impact of the canal on...
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Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-You Cheat!
Pupils read the book, You Cheat! by Jamie Gilson. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding sibling relationships and other concepts included in the book. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social...
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The Impact of Acid Rain and the Greenhouse Effect on the Environment
Students study acid rain and complete several activities that show how it affects the environment.  They role play members of the community involved in a major decision involving the protection of the environment.
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Finding Your Way Around the I & M Canal
Fifth graders utilize a map of the I&M Canal (imbedded in this plan), and perform a series of tasks. They calculate distance, find specific points of interest and solve a set of story problems about the canal.
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The Journey of the Pacific Salmon
Students examine the journey of the Pacific salmon. In this salmon species lesson, students review the stages of the salmon life cycle and conduct an experiment to determine how the water and habitat changes during each stage.
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U.S. Geography: The Midwest
Students research agricultural products of the Midwest.  In this Midwest activity, students watch a video about the geography of the Midwest, discuss how topographical features were formed and review the agricultural products the Midwest...
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Glaciers
Seventh graders  summarize how Earth processes today are similar to
those that occurred in the past. They read excerpts from John Muir's "Yosemite Glaciers" and explain how slow geologic processes have large cumulative effects over long...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
