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Soil Scrolls
Third graders examine soil samples and explore the what happens in each layer of the subsoil. They work in cooperative groups to create a scroll that shows what takes place in each layer, and discuss why much of the activity is in the...
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Ready for Roots
Fourth graders sort seeds and predict what conditions are needed for them to germinate. They keep the seeds moist, observe and measure their growth and graph the results. As the seeds start to grow students compare and contrast the each...
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Prairie Predator and Prey
Fifth graders brainstorm a list of animals that live on the prairie, and classify them as predators and prey. They conduct interviews where they ask the animals what they need to look out for to sustain life on the prairie.
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Prairie Scales and Prairie Smoothies
Sixth graders explore the animals that live on the prairie and identify differences between amphibians and reptiles and the adaptations each have made to live on the prairie.
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Bug Work
Learners explore the life cycles of insects and how they interact with each other in the prairie to create a healthy ecosystem and viable food chain. They list animals or insects in their own community that are similar to the prairie...
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Fire Fighting
Students consider the effects of a wildfire on prairie life. They explore the ways that plants regenerate after a fire and create fictional plants that have adapted specifically to the prairie environment. They share models of their plants.
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Soil Stories
Tenth graders collect and analyze soil samples and extrapolate the characteristics needed to support different types of plant life. They research different types of prairie soil and how it supports plant and animal life.
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Land Use Unit
Students identify factors in human society and the natural environment aree interdependent. They analyze interdependencies demonstrated in various situations and occurances.
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Recycling: The Way to Save...Fad or Fact
Pupils write stories about recycling and illustrate them. They examine various containers and determine whether or not they are recyclable. They make a chart about the containers and visit a recycling center.
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Land Use Issues
Students examine soil types and determine the ability of each to absorb water. Working in groups, they time how long it takes for water to seep out the bottom of the cups. They examine soil components, conservation, erosion, and tree...
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Where Does Al the Waste Go?
Students construct a sanitary mini-landfill and an open mini-dump. Over a thirty day period, they compare the two methods and determine landfills are envorinmentally safer. They observe a demonstration of burning waste. They create...
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Our First Families
Students complete a variety of activities in which the Washington Post Newspaper is used to reinforce concepts pertaining to the history of the Washington, D.C. area.
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Panda Goes to School
Students listen to the teacher give them the provided information about the endangered panda bear and then do a worksheet.
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Learning to Add and Subtract
Young learners practice addition and subtraction to solve problems. They use a webquest application to model how to solve math problems using pictures, words and numbers, and also practice using multiplication and division.
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The First Day of Congress
Students examine experiences had by representatives on the first day of Congress. They role-play the role of one of the members of Congress and they participate in opening day events. They complete worksheets to finish the lesson.
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Measurement
Pupils create two prisms out of the same paper. They calcuate the number of centimeter cubes needed to fill each prism. They discover the concept of volume.
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Iraq's Latest Strategy: Suicide Attacks
This discussion based lesson plan focuses on the sensitive topic of suicide attacks or bombings used throughout history during times of militaristic upheaval. Learners read news stories, compose journal entries, and engage in a class...
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Journey to Topaz, a Literature Based Approach
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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The Paths of Literature: The Family Today
Use the internet to research the differences between families in the past and today. In groups, they identify the reponsibilities and roles of each member of the family. As a class, they compare and contrast non-fiction and fiction and...
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Science: Microcosms in the Biosphere
In a series of lessons, examine the impact on humans by microcosms in the biosphere. Among the plans structured for students with different abilities and learning styles, are activities describing the symbiotic relationship, drawing the...
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Sing! Sing a Song!
Students investigate climate change. They read and listen to an environmental song or a song about change or taking action. Students write, sing, and record their own song about climate change.
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Backgrounder Questions
Students are introduced to the intermediate backgrounders developed for the climate change website. Using the internet, they research various climate change concepts and answer discussion questions. They complete a worksheet to end the...
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Greenhouse Effect ...Building Our Own
Young scholars explore the greenhouse effect. They set up a simplified model of the earth and the greenhouse effect. Students compare temperatures inside a jar to temperatures outside the jar. Pupils collect information and create a line...
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Be Energy Wise!
Students perform activities to explore how electricity comes into their homes. They list appliances and devices in their homes that use electricity. Students create reminders and posters to help their families remember to turn off lights...