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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Hopi Indians

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read and look at maps of the Hopi Indians and compare and contrast their lives with the Hopi Indians. For this Hopi Indians lesson plan, 4th graders learn about different cultures and answer short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aerial Photography

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders compare the artistic values of Terry Evans' photography with LandSAT images and other images made for purely scientific, government and commercial purposes. They consider the artistic choices made in aerial photography.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Hypothesis to Conclusion...Reading Maps to Understand Proofs

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore the concept of proof. In this proof lesson, 10th graders work in groups to collectively write proofs for directions to places on a map. Students give directions to specific places in big cities such as from the New...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Idioms Lesson Plan

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover idioms. In this idioms lesson, 6th graders evaluate idioms and discover their meaning. Students read Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein and create unique idioms. Assessment rubric is provided.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clinometer

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders build their own Clinometer and using the tangent of angles, estimate the height of trees. Then these students develop and activity to show whole class and determine the tallest tree on school property.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coin Connections

For Teachers K - 1st
A wonderful lesson on identifying the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter awaits your young mathematicians. They engage in a multi-session lesson which allows them to practice using the values of each coin in worksheets and activities...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traveling Cat Flown Home to Family

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Learners locate Wisconsin and Belgium on a world map, then read a news article about a cat that stowed away on ship from the U.S. to Europe. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with map and vocabulary...
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Lesson Plan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section One: What is Biodiversity?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat Happenings

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the characteristics of the Prairie Creek Habitat in Illinois. In groups, they travel between various stations writing haikus and reading brochures. They identify what occurs in each habitat and identify the animals...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

River Research

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students use the internet to research the streams and rivers found in Illinois. Using the information, they identify and describe the rivers and streams along with the physical characteristics of a river ecosystem. They share what they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Texas: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the engineering projects that the US Army Corps of Engineers initiated during the development of Texas. They examine primary source documents that are in digital and print form, and identify US Army Corp of Engineer...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography Grid

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders search a database to find images and scan and affix them on an 8-foot long map of the state of Illinois. They then use it as a basis for discussion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Chicago Fire Survivors

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the experiences of two survivors of the Great Fire of Chicago using a Venn Diagram.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Chicago Fire Survivors

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine documents describing the experiences of survivors of the Great Chicago Fire, and write condolence letters.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Resources and Transportation in the United States

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students study thematic maps (included with the lesson) to determine possible relationships. They develop three hypotheses about the relationship. Students choose one of their hypotheses to explain. The explanation is to include reasons...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858: Interactive Map Activity

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners utilize an interactive map to explore the 1858 Senate campaign in Illinois. They examine how factors such as population, transportation, and party strongholds can affect campaign strategies. Students write an essay discussing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858: Interactive Map Activity

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders utilize an interactive map to explore the 1858 Senate campaign in Illinois and how factors such as population, transportation, and party strongholds can affect campaign strategies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Map

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compose plans for their futures.  In this writing lesson, students create life maps of past events and predict future events.  They brainstorm events of their lives and decide which ones are most pertinent to the map.  Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scaling the Map

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners practice determining map distances using the map scales. They discover how much an area represents on the map in relation to the actual area. They decide on the best place to build their cavern.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 24: The Great Chicago Fire Survivors

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students, in groups, explore the Great Chicago Fire. They decide which moment from the fire is significant and create a story corner.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 22: The Great Chicago Fire Survivors

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars, in groups, create a historical fiction story of a Great Chicago Fire survivor by writing a survival narrative.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854: Popular Sovereignty and the Political Polarization over Slavery

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read selections from the Declaration of Independence, Northwest Ordinance of 1787, and the Wilmot Proviso of 1846. They contrast the maps of 1820 and 1854 to analyze developments in the national debate over slavery. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Own Cultural Traditions

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students complete a worksheet on personal traditions. In this cultural traditions activity, students discuss what a cultural tradition is and why they are important to the members of the culture. Students distinguish between cultural...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Becoming an Adult

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars make plans for growing up. In this personal health lesson, students participate in a strategic planning session to prepare them for the challenges of adulthood.