Curated OER
Too Many Otters
Second graders investigate the habitat of otters. In this animal science lesson, 2nd graders role play the job of wildlife biologists and try to manage the otter population. Students use a map to track their specific otter population.
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"L" Stands for Elevated
Young scholars play a trivia game to learn more about the Chicago public transportation system. For this transportation lesson plan, students also create an "L" car, and write advertising slogans for Chicago's elevated trains.
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National Road to Indiana
Young scholars explore the National Road to Indiana. For this U.S. highway history and primary source research lesson, students read an original journal written by Jane Voorhees Lewis in 1806 describing her trip west on the first...
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Habitat Cards
Learners discuss the relationship between a habitat and the environment. In groups, they use the internet to research the relationship between the animals and the habitat on their card. They present their information to the class to...
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What is a River?
Students study the various types of bodies of water: rivers, oceans, lakes and ponds. They observe models of each and then use clues to discuss how they are alike and different. They imagine they have found a new planet and draw a map...
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Volcanoes:How Safe Are They?
Young scholars explore volcanoes, locate them on maps, record general information about volcanoes, and organize information on a fact sheet.
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USA Road Trip
Eighth graders explore the path of the National Road. In this eight grade mathematics lesson, 8th graders, retrace the rout of the national Road. Students calculate distances as they plan a trip to travel the original path.
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Lincoln Home National Historic Site: A Place of Growth and Memory
Eighth graders study the history of Lincoln's home. In this American History lesson, 8th graders examine artifacts from his home to learn about his beliefs. Students participate in a webquest on Lincoln's home.
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Reservoir Activity
Students research the economic importance of the major reservoirs in Illinois. In groups, they manage a budget for one of the lakes to promote tourism in the area. They also work together to create advertisements.
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Water: The Liquid of Life
Sixth graders complete a activity 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 activity with a field...
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The Heartland
Students note how personal perceptions influence the understanding of what a region. They look at an agricultural map of what is considered to be the Heartland of the US. They read the words to George Strait's, America's Heartland to see...
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Go West My Class
Students find data that can be mapped on the Factfinder Web page. They analyze the data from the web site and state recommendations on whether a person should live in Illinois or not based on their preferences.
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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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Where Should You Turn?
Fourth graders complete activities to study decimal numbers. In this decimal numbers lesson, 4th graders study decimal numbers to express numbers less than one and intervals. Students complete map and location activities to study the...
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States of Fitness
Students participate in physical activities coordinating to divisions on a map.
Federal Reserve Bank
Piggy Bank Primer: 25 Cents Worth of History
It's all about money. Here's a resource that introduces kids to the Federal Reserve System, different coins produced by the mints, and fun facts about state coins.
NASA
Tools to Study Tornadoes and Galaxies
Take your class on an intergalactic journey as they explore the galaxy and various meteorological events taking place in our atmosphere each day. Learners investigate electromagnetic waves and the Doppler Effect before gathering radar...
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Careers With an Aquatic Emphasis
Students are introduced to careers with an aquatic emphasis. They take a self-evaluation test on what they enjoy in school to determine which career is right for them. They listen to people in the field discuss what their job is like.
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We Really Dig Archeology and Palentology
Sixth graders examine the differences between archeology and paleontology. Using the internet, they explore the tools and techniques used in each field. They must use the correct tools to uncover and record the objects they find. They...
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Leaf, Tree and Prairie Study
Students are introduced to the topic of Botany and the process of photosynthesis. Using various habitats, they research the amount of destruction it is facing and how to solve the problem. They make a leaf booklet with leaves they find...
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Debate the Daily Dilemma
Have your class practice their persuasion skills by participating in a class debate. They will discuss a dilemma and detail each point of view. Divided into both sides of the argument, they work in groups to create a well-rounded...
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The Prairie Climate
Ninth graders research the average temperature and precipitation of a prairie region to determine the type of climate it is, and how it differs from other biomes. They examine the types of adaptions animals have made to live in the...
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Desert Cinquains
Young scholars use the cinquain structure and correct parts of speech to write a poem with a desert theme.
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Day 1621; What Really Happened?
Third graders read "The Plymouth Thanksgiving Story" by Chuck Larsen. They discuss their prior knowledge of Thanksgiving history and question traditional views. They consider that there are always two or more sides to a story.