Indiana Department of Education
Indiana K-12 Educators’ Resource Toolkit
Imagine a tool that magically engages readers in the classroom. A handbook for Indiana educators doesn't guarantee success, but it does offer a variety of strategies for teachers to try. The handbook opens with research-based theory...
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Impacting Indiana
Fourth graders explore Indiana. In this Indiana history lesson, 4th graders discuss how Indiana has developed through the years. Students discuss Indiana agriculture and follow a recipe using ingredients from Indiana crops. Students view...
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Exploring Indiana's Natural Resources
Fourth graders complete a variety of activities as they study the European exploration of the Midwest, focusing on Indiana. They map the path explorers took, comparing the British with the French. They research why the explorers stopped...
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Science in the News
Students explore science in the news through articles, magazines, and internet news sites. They select articles, read them and summarize them to identify the audience that would care about their topics. As they present their articles...
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Greek Prefixes In Science
Seventh graders look into their science textbooks to find words that utilize the Greek prefixes, "anti," "epi," "endo," and "micro." Student pairs complete a worksheet embedded in the plan where they list as many of these words as they can.
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Hoosier Artists
Young scholars examine the paintings of various Indiana artists. Using the internet, they relate the landscapes shown to the history of the state and how it affected Native Americans. Using the information they gathered, they write story...
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Without Limits
Seventh graders research about the important contributions of two scientists they chose from the list. In this science lesson, 7th graders develop a creative presentation such as skits or news program about their research. They present...
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Constellations
Third graders investigate space by researching their zodiac signs. In this space science lesson, 3rd graders discuss the different zodiac symbols, their star representation and where the stars are located in the sky. Students...
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Insects
It's a fact: kids love bugs! With this lesson, young learners explore reading informational texts and conducting research while learning about their favorite insects. Spark learners' interest by reading a book about one kind of bug and...
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Caesar Ciphers: An Introduction to Cryptography
Students brainstorm and discuss the concept of cryptography, the science of secrets in today's world and then focus on a system for sending secret messages used by Julius Caesar. They make a Caesar wheel assessing encrypting and...
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Keeping Warm?
Fifth graders explore conductors and heat loss in different materials. In this Physical Science lesson plan, 5th graders will be measuring the temperature drop of water in four containers. The class will then discuss what an...
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Exploring an Atlas
Students explore global geography by participating in an atlas activity. In this countries of the world lesson, students collaborate in small groups and analyze an atlas while researching continents, countries and demographics. Students...
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Electricity and Magnetism: Ben Franklin and His Influence
Fourth graders explore electricity by examining the life of Benjamin Franklin. In this biographical lesson, 4th graders listen to the teacher read facts of Benjamin Franklin's life and analyze his contributions to our current...
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Caring for Our environment
Second graders study the environment by reading and discuss information on pollution in the texts. For this environment lesson students read Wicker School Takes Action, and City Green and discuss what we do with our trash. ...
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Weather Patterns
Second graders discuss how their weather changes by examining temperatures, clothing needs, and plant life. They talk about the identifying factors of the seasons and complete a Venn Diagram about weather in a guided lesson. Next, they...
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Solid Waste and Our Natural Resources: Utilizing the Story THE LORAX
Students gain an introduction to our planet's solid waste problem and our personal responsibility in curbing and solving said problem through the use of Dr. Seuss' book, The Lorax. After hearing the book, class discussion follows.
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The Great Kapok Tree - Economic Impact of Deforestation
Learners read "The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry. They, in groups, research the economic impacts of deforestation in areas with rain forest and identify resources that humans use from the rain forest.
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Stories Of Seasons
Students listen to the story "Henry and Mudge Under The Yellow Moon," and write their own story based on a season. In this writing lesson plan, kindergarteners are assisted in "writing" their story by an older student or the teacher....
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Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Students analyze the story Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain geographically, and explain the term climate and discuss its relevance in the story as well as to their own lives.
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Space: Stars and Planets
Pupils observe and report that the moon can be seen sometimes at night and sometimes during the day. They describe how changes to a model can help predict how the real thing can be altered. Students explain the essential fact of the...
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Glue-line Insect
First graders explore characteristics of ladybugs. They view ladybugs in ventilated containers and discuss their observations. Students read a story about ladybugs and create a glue picture of a ladybug.
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It's Sedimentary, My Dear!
Pupils examine sedimentary rocks to determine how they form. In this Earth science lesson plan, students will make a rock by cementing small particles together. The pupils will then compare their observations of sedimentary rocks to the...
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Make a Cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex Fossil
Second graders examine the formation of fossils and list the different types. They make cast model of a dinosaur fossil. They write about conditions that are necessary for fossils to form and create a model of a buried fossil.
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Adopt An Animal
Students view slides of pictures of rare animals and make predictions about them based on the characteristics they see. In this animals lesson plan, students then research one of the animals and present their findings to the class.