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Imaginative Minds
Eighth graders study the lives and creations of several significant inventors as well as designing their own invention and submitting it to a mock patent process. They determine the importance of notable inventions and their impact on...
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The Seasons of Thanks
First graders explain the Native American cyclical concept of time
National First Ladies' Library
The Space Race
Students investigate the historical events that have surrounded The Space Race. They conduct research using a variety of resources and focus upon the progress between Russia and The United States. Students describe the events that led up...
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If All The World Were Paper
Students investigate the reading of a rhyme and then practice learning it through drilling and repetition. They are introduced to the vocabulary with the help of a poster. Students draw from prior knowledge to set the context for further...
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Mystical Chinese
Students explore various Chinese beliefs about the environment. Using the internet, they research the characteristics of Feng Shui. They discuss how human actions modify the physical environment and vice versa. They discover how the...
National First Ladies' Library
Pandemics: The Swine Flu of 1918
Young scholars study pandemics through the investigational research of the 1918 swine flu. They apply the information by choosing a current virus and role-playing a member of the Centers of Disease Control (CDC).
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Legal Definitions of Childhood
Students examine how various cultures define childhood. Using the internet, they research how countries around the world determine who is a child. They identify the sources they most relate with as a child.
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Lewis and Clark: The Language of Discovery
Students replicate some of the trailblazing methods of Lewis and Clark on a fifteen-minute "writing journey" through the school or neighborhood.
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Animal Encounters
Students use their visualizing and interpreting skills to produce original writings and artwork.
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Who Invented It? When? Chinese Inventions: An Introductory Activity
Learners use Robert Temple's "The Genius of Chins: 3,000 Years of Science, Discovery and Invention", to understand how much the Chinese have contributed with their scientific and technological ability.
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Spy on a Spider
Students view slides or live specimens to name and describe the distinguishing features of groups of arthropods, especially spiders and insects. They complete worksheets, observe webs and then search for and record where spiders can be...
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Epidemic!
Students research recent episodes when diseases like colds or flus spread through their school. It also asks them to think of public health measures that might stop a disease from spreading again.
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Facts, Feats and Folklore: Spiders
Students review and discuss a variety of sayings, folklore and superstitions about spiders. They discuss this information and choose either an interesting fact or appealing foklore tradition to illustrate.
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TRADERS' GAME
Learners play a game aimed at demonstrating how relationships with other communities or countries affect the food and fiber system. The game simulates the unequal distribution of natural resources which creates the need for...
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Manuelito
Students research Manuelito's approximate birthplace, his clan lineage, his early upbringing and preparation for defense against enemies. They analyze the factors that brought people west and postulate their understanding of words and...
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Big Dogs, Little Dogs
Students explore how dogs are industrious workers and beloved pets, helpful companions and highly paid entertainers.
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Making Steel: An Awesome Process
Students identify the six basic stages used to create a steel component, and explain how each stage influences or interacts with another. They give examples of how technology has improved human lives.
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Point of View: Accounts of Former Slaveholders
Students examine the housing and living conditions of slaves. They discuss the concerns of slaveholders concerning the health and well-being of their slaves. They analyze the importance of religion to the slaves as well.
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Native Chili Planting
Students discover the process of planting chili. After comparing two types of seeds students plant and with the use of a digital camera, record the seed progress. When ready for transplant, students take young plants to a retirement...
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The Appaloosa - Horse of the Nez Perce
Fourth graders investigate the use of Appaloosa horses by the Nez Perce Native Americans during the War of 1877. They examine the geography of the area and determine why the Appaloosa horse was suited to this use after looking at...
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Orfeo: Sinfonie e Ritornelli
Students identify the dramatic expression made by performance and how it relates to the content of the story L'Orfeo. They determine the form of orchestra and each instrumental group within the orchestra for this piece.