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Learning from Artifacts Uncovering Clues, Large and Small
Learners observe artifacts from Fort St. Louis at a website in order to make inferences about the people who lived there. They paint pottery in the style which might have been used by one of the cultural groups who inhabited the fort.
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Clues to the Past
Pupils take a 1.3 mile walking tour of Chippokes Plantation, inspect significant historic buildings and artifacts, and make inferences about plantation life from their observations while answering a series of questions.
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Using Adjectives to Describe Observations
Seventh graders write observations of organisms based on both audio and video sources. They describe organisms which they view using appropriate adjectives.
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Weather Instrument Use and Application
Eighth graders measure temperature, wind speed and pressure using Skymaster SM-28. For this earth science lesson, 8th graders collect data and record observations taken from outdoors. They explain why numerical values are different in...
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Acid and Base Testing
Pupils study descriptions of indicators and the way they are used to identify acids and bases. They use this information to determine if unknown solutions are acids or bases.
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Technology and the Science of Mummies
Young scholars explore how new advancements in technology can lead to advancements in scientific knowledge. They research and discuss how new technologies are advancing the study of mummies.
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Wright Brothers Centennial: North Carolina, Creation and Development of the State
Eighth graders examine technological advances and how they influenced the quality of life in North Carolina. Using maps, they locate the city of Kitty Hawk and discuss why it was chosen for the first flight. They read primary source...
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Photosynthesis and Respiration
Eighth graders differentiate photosynthesis and respiration. In this biology instructional activity, 8th graders draw a diagram explaining these two processes. They answer a quiz after the instructional activity.
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Water and Ice
Learners investigate what happens to solids and liquids when they change from one form to another. The amount od space taken by frozen water begins the discussion and students are led to formulate their own hypothesis to research.
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Weather Elements and Instruments
Eighth graders identify the different weather elements. In this earth science instructional activity, 8th graders explain the difference between relative humidity and dew point. They discuss the different instruments used to predict...
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Plastics and Rubber: What's the Difference?
Students classify household items into either plastic or rubber. In this chemistry lesson plan, students justify their classification system. They explain the difference between observation and inference.
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Revolutionary Women Portraits: Finding and Viewing New Perspectives
Middle schoolers identify and analyze portraits of Revolutionary-era women. Creating a concept web, they record the actions by women during the war to be made into a chart and timeline. They discuss the cultural and social expectations...
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Evaporation of Alcohol and Water
Students investigate the process that occurs when liquids evaporaate. They test water and alcohol to determine which substance evaporates more quickly and relate the rate to energy changes.
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Classification of Animals
Students identify observable features of eight dinosaurs and create a sorting chart using SMART Notebook on a SMART Board (or, in case you do not have a SMART Board, a chalk or dry-erase board).
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The Case of the "Lost Gorge:
Students examine the case of a map making expedition. In groups, they read a case study on "The Lost Gorge" in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. They examine maps and determine where the error in the map-making occured to end...
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To Group of Not to Group - That is the Question!
Upper elementary and middle schoolers use their observation skills to group different kinds of candy by similar characteristics. They debate whether or not we should classify objects. Finally, they learn that biologists have developed a...
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Cooler In The Shadows
Students investigate the concepts of shadows and how they are projected with objects different positions in relation to the sun. They conduct an experiment by observing objects in different positions. Then students record the observations.
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Theobroma - Food of the Gods
Students discuss the history of cacao and its use in the production of chocolate. They analyze actual cacao pods and record their observations. Finally they create a five minute contour drawing of the cacao pod and seeds.
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Fertilizer Frenzy
Ninth graders design and conduct an experiment. They evaluate other's experiments. Students describe relationships between biological systems and the environmental contaminants. They work as a team to solve a problem.
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Science Fair With An Energy Efficiency Flair
In order to learn more about energy conservation, pupils work to promote energy efficiency by participating in a school-wide science fair with an emphasis on energy conservation. In addition to displaying their projects, learners invite...
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How Can You Tell One Clear Gas From Another?
Fifth graders perform experiments to determine the identity of an unknown gas sample. In this chemistry lesson, 5th graders fill balloons with air, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. They use mass and reactivity to identify the gases.
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Painting Analysis Worksheet
In this visual arts worksheet, students select paintings to analyze. Students then respond to 3 short answer questions and complete a graphic organizer based on their evaluation of the art.
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Week 8 - Sea Life
Using a magnifier, mini marine biologists examine the barbules of a bird feather. They swirl the it into a mixture of oil and water and then re-examine the feather. After the activity, discuss how the oily feathers pose a problem to...
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Here Today. . .Gone Tomorrow
Students observe that there are threatened and endangered bird species in Illinois, why they have been given this status and how it relates to endangered species on a worldwide basis. they participate in the Project WILD "Oh, Deer" or...