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What is a Tornado? How are Tornadoes Created? How are Tornadoes Measured?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Explore the concept of tornadoes with your class. They will research what to do during tornadoes and how to measure tornadoes. Multiple resources are included.
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Heart Collage

For Teachers K - 2nd
Explore the visual arts by creating a construction paper art project. In this collage lesson plan, young artists research the Internet to examine styles of famous artists including Keith Haring. They create cut-outs of hearts using...
Lesson Plan
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Weather, Weather, Everywhere!

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders collect weather data to compare temperatures around the world. Using the Internet, learners collect data, put it into spreadsheets, and analyze and graph the results. An interesting way to cover the topic of weather.
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Native American Tribes

For Teachers 4th
Have your class learn about Native American tribes in California. They identify five regions where Native Americans lived, discuss the daily life of these people, and conduct research on a particular tribe. Afterward, they create a...
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Passport to the Eastern Hemisphere

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the Eastern Hemisphere. They investigate the customs, currency, climate, location and other facts needed in order to travel to a specific country. Students receive a stamp on their "passport" when their research...
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Early Voting, Other Election Changes are Possible

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use the internet and linked sites to explore current voting methods in their community. They research suggestions that have been made for changes and interview people who made these suggestions (when possible). Students suggest...
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This is Your Life

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle or high-school pupils choose a scientist to research. They collect biographical information and explore their contributions to scientific understanding. With all that they compile, they create a scrapbook of the scientists' life....
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Leaf, Tree and Prairie Study

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils 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 at...
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Marching to Freedom: PowerPoint Presentation debating for or against going to war

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders present research on war. In this debate lesson, 4th graders create a power point presentation debating for or against the American Revolution. Students share their presentations with the class.
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You Smoke You Croak

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the effects of tobacco. In this personal health lesson, 6th graders use print and Internet sources to research the effects of smoking. Students create PowerPoint presentations using their research findings.
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Volcanoes in Space

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research volcanoes on the Internet to compare/contrast the volcanoes on Earth to the ones found on Io, a moon of Jupiter. Students list the similarities and differences in science journals, and illustrate pictures of the volcanoes.
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Prosperity and Challenges

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students watch a slideshow about the technological advances in agriculture. After viewing, they complete an index card about one aspect of the slideshow. In groups, they create a cause and effect timeline in which they identify specific...
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Inform Your Vote

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine and participate in the election process, analyze current event topics and offer their opinions. They then share their viewpoints on civic issues. They are encouraged to do additional research on the election's hot issues.
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Rock River Watershed

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover what a watershed is and which one they live in. Using the internet, they research why watersheds are important to an ecosystem and how to keep them from getting polluted. They use a map to locate various items within a...
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Yesterday and Today

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to the concept of conservation. As a class, they brainstorm ways in which they can or already have helped the environment. Using the internet, they research key individuals and organizations that help the...
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Illinois Endangered & Threatened Species

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders identify endangered and threatened species in Illinois. Using fact sheets, they explore why some species are more likely to be on the list than others. Using the internet, they research one species, note its adaptations and...
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Creative Classroom Creatures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to the five kingdoms and discover why there is a need for a classification system. Using the internet, they examine how scientific names are created and practice putting animals into their correct classification....
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Crazy Clay

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners complete an Internet scavenger hunt to observe some background information on clay animation. They read the question on the web site and then click on the link to discover the answer. Then they create their own clay animation...
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Weather Watchers

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars are introduced to an Underground Weather Stations. In groups, they use the internet to research the weather in different parts of the United States locating each city. To end the lesson, they summarize the information they...
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The Real Cost of College

For Teachers 7th - 8th
How do people pay for college? Learners explore the concept of paying for college, they discuss possible ways to pay for college, research the cost of colleges, room and board, and other college living expenses.
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What Can I Afford?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the concept of cell phone plans. In this cell phone plan lesson, students research the cost of cell phones. Middle schoolers compare various cell phone plans and decide on which phone plan is best for them.
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Layers of the Atmosphere Foldable

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Aspiring meteorologists make themselves a tool for reviewing the characteristics of each layer of the atmosphere. The procedure for this little project divides the paper into five sections, but many earth science teachers opt for the...
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March of Dimes

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research March of Dimes. In this disabilities lesson, students use the March of Dimes website to answer questions on a worksheet. Students discuss similar programs that collect money to help support the prevention of other...
Lesson Plan
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Biodiversity Debate - Stream Side Science

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Role play community members who are both for and against the construction of a dam. Research the pros and cons and then hold a classroom debate. This activity ideally follows a series of stream studies, links to which are included. Use...