Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will contribute...

Third graders examine the phases of the moon. In this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders listen to a read aloud of The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley and discuss the phases of the moon. They complete a moon phase calendar and...

Learners create a rainforest poster and move to music learning about the rainforest. In this rainforest lesson plan, students express themselves in a variety of ways using their knowledge of the rainforest. Activities include creating a...

Students explore the importance of the Platte River to the state of Nebraska. They investigate the river's historical, social, economic, and political importance to the development of Nebraska. Students explore the ecosystem of the river.

Students collaborate with a partner to create a large diagram containing one aspect of the water cycle. They are encouraged to include academic language and pictures for their presentation. Their is a peer evaluation sheet that is...

Young scholars create an attribute chart to organize their learning about water. They work with a partner to incorporate academic vocabulary to complete their chart. Students may volunteer to share their charts with the entire class.

Students describe the roles of controlled, manipulated and responding variables in scientific research. They also identify biotic and abiotic interactions affecting the makeup of a plant community.

Students explain how immunizing a significant proportion of a population against a disease prevents epidemics of the disease (herd immunity). They list factors that affect the proportion of a population that must be immunized to prevent...

Students test worm castings for content and use them to grow seeds. They hypothesize which castings best sustain seed growth. They observe growing plants to test their hypotheses. Later they graph their data.

Young scholars observe the decomposing process of the food chain in a worm bin. They observe whether the type of food fed to worms affect the castings given off during the decomposition process. They learn and practice graphing their...

Students research the effects of sodium bentonite being combined with water. They discuss the reasons why this chemical is used in landfills. They measure the swelling index of sodium bentonite clay.

Pupils examine the relationship between agriculture and the slave trade during the 1860s. In groups, they research how two factors led to the explosion of slavery in the Southern United States. Using maps, they answer comprehension...

Students conduct a mock presidential interview. In this US presidents lesson, students research the lives of former U.S. presidents and then role play interviews of the "presidents."

Eighth graders examine the American immigration experience. In this immigration instructional activity, 8th graders watch a video about Ellis Island and discuss the processing that took place there. Students write letters in the voice of...

Students investigate the various causes of the U.S. Civil War. They view photos on the Smithsonian website, write about what it would have been like to be in the Civil War, complete a graphic organizer, and analyze a timeline.

Learners research, predict and offer solutions regarding factors that affect current or future food crops could result in economic, political or social changes.

Pupils use the Internet to gather information about dinosaurs. They practice navigating through webpages and following directions. They define important vocabulary and practice making a KWL chart.

Students explore the characters and plot of the story, "Charlotte's Web" through the twenty-two lessons of this unit. Characters, facts, and details of the story are recalled and discussed and form the basis of several activities in this...

Students plant seeds and observe the life cycle of the organism. They experimentally research the effects of radiation on seed growth. Students determine the effects of environmental pollutants on harvested seed.

Students learn what the Kyoto Protocol is and examine the decision of the United States to not sign the agreement.

First graders read and understand the text found while conducting internet research. They recognize how literature records information and reflects the human experience. Students also compare and contrast answers to questions. Then...

Students use the internet to find pen pals to share in their weather experiment. Individually, they research the high and low temperatures for cities within the United States and email the results to their pen pal. They also develop a...

Students create a PowerPoint presentation about animals and the sound they make. Using traditional and internet research methods, students gather information about a specific animal and the sounds that animal makes. Student information...

Young scholars investigate the historical use of flags on Earth, debate ownership issues for interplanetary exploration, and design a flag for Mars. The implication of placing a flag at a location forms the focus of the lesson.