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Food Web Follies
Seventh graders cut and paste animal pictures to create a food web and trace the path of energy. They write a paragraph explaining the importance of photosynthesis in all food webs.
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Paths of Electrical Currents
Fourth graders examine the paths that electrical currents travel. They create a current of electricity using flashlights, bulbs, batteries, wires and tape. They determine how to create a closed circuit that will light the bulb. They...
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Life Cycle of the Butterfly
Students observe and analyze the life cycle and metamorphosis of the Painted Lady Butterfly. They write observation journal entries three times a week and summarize what they observed. Using KidPix computer software they create pictures...
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Predators and Prey
Students explain how the food chain works. They contrast predators with prey and describe their function in nature. Students discuss how the food chain aids in keeping nature balanced. In small groups, they play a game that simulates the...
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The Theory of Evolution
In this theory of evolution worksheet, students will review the role Charles Darwin played in the theory of evolution, natural selection, and adaptations. Students will explore some of the different types of evidence for the theory of...
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Where Are the Dinosaurs?
Students examine the concept of extinction by studying dinosaurs. In this living environment lesson, students view dinosaur video clips and define the word "extinction." Students visit the "Zoom Dinosaur" website to investigate various...
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Capturing Light: The Science of Photography
Students create their own cameras to understand how artists use light to capture an image in a photograph. In this light lesson plan, students use tape, wax paper, rubber bands, and more to create their cameras.
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Butterfly Introduction
First graders create a KWL chart about butterflies and then read a story about butterflies. In this butterflies lesson plan, 1st graders then discuss the life cycle, body, habits, and facts about butterflies as they read.
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Classifying Critters
In this classifying critters worksheet, students read a 1 page article on classifying living organisms and then answer 10 true or false, short answer, multiple choice or fill in the blank questions.
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Learning to Give: Generosity of Spirit Folktales
Students read two Inuit folktales about life and death. In this language arts lesson, students study the models of giving found in these Inuit tales about life, death, grief, sacrifice, and generosity. As the class reads these tales,...
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Planting the Seed
Students plant their seeds and collect and organize their own materials for planting. They also set up their planters with wicks, fertilizer, potting mix, and seeds. Finally, students write their names on planter markers with a ball...
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Bringing Illinois into the Curriculum
Students of all ages are introduced to the geography of Illinois. Depending on the grade level, they participate in different activities which allow them to discover Illinois in the past and present. They examine the animals and...
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Archaeobotany
Students study pictures of seeds and the conditions in which they grow during their study of archaeobotany. They infer ancient plant use by looking at archaeobotanical samples. They determine the change of plant use by interpreting a...
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Discovering the Oasis
Students focus on the types of vegetation and animal life living around local water sources. This lesson can be adapted to any local water source, whether it be a lake, a river, stream or ocean. It has a particular focus on the bird...
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Living Corn Necklace
Fifth graders explore heredity and observable traits through experimentation. They view several different types of corn and record their observation of physical traits on a class chart. They create a corn necklace by sprouting dried...
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City Wildlife in a Vase
Students examine a still-life painting. They discuss the observation of nature by scientists and artists and explore the symbolism of biological life cycles depicted in a painting.
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Life on a Farm
Students take a field trip to a farm or observe pictures of farms and animals in the classroom. They paint a mural of a farm setting with animals. They practice phonetic skills with farm stories and songs. They explain how milk becomes...
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Desert Xeriscaping
Students recognize native species of desert vegetation while examining the need for water conservation. They design and create a xeriscape landscape using a variety of materials.
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Mineral or Maceral Mosaic
Learners study about geologists and their job. They also study that rocks are made up of minerals and organic material by conducting an experiment where they create their own "granite" or "coal".
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Furbearers of Illinois
Learners study fur bearing animals of Illinois. They research a specific furbearer (it's habitat, diet, current hunting regulations regarding the animal, conservation organizations that help the animal, etc.) and give a presentation on...
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Insects
Pupils, through books, videos, and readings, explore characteristics of insects. In groups, they choose an insect to research. Students discover their insect's diet, how they move, and where they live. Afterwards, they use the facts...
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The Everglades
Students research the Everglades. In this Everglades lesson plan, students select an animal or plant to research and work collaboratively in small groups to prepare a presentation.
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Termite Trails
Students observe the behavior of termites and draw conclusions about their behavior. They record data as to termite behavior and recognize elements in the experimental design which must include a hypothesis.