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The Origin of Life
In this origin of life worksheet, young scholars write answers to five questions. They describe characteristics of the first life forms and how scientists believe oxygen accumulated in the Earth's atmosphere.
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Comparing or Contrasting Two Books
Students compare two pieces of literature. In this literary comparisons lesson plan, students read 2 books that they personally select and then compare and contrast the literary elements of each in a comparative essay.
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GeoSleuth Schoolyard
Students discover that geology is something that is all around them. In groups, they participate in an activity in which they collect evidence and make observations. They solve a "murder mystery" in examining the history of a landscape.
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An Archaeological Adventure in Athens
Students review map skills and practice finding locations on a map. In groups, they create maps with mystery locations identified by hidden stick-on magnets. Other groups attempt to find the mystery locations and then check their work...
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Describing the Unknown to Others
Students examine the challenges faced by the Corps of Discovery on the Lewis and Clark expedition. They listen to online journal entries written by members of the Corps, complete an activity sheet, watch a video segment, and write a...
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Destination Mars!
Fifth graders view Mysteries of Earth & Mars Video on DVD and record thoughts in their online journal. They record data in a spreadsheet about each planet then form a theory of the best time to launch a space craft from Earth to land...
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Five Senses
Students listen to the book "My Five Senses." They work together to classify fifteen objects by the sense that they affect. They discuss the sense organs and complete a chart. Finally, they sort mystery items from a bag which the teacher...
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Volcanic Violence
Students complete activities to study volcanic activities. In this volcanic activities lesson plan, students read an article about violent volcanoes. Students complete discuss questions and volcano projects for the lesson plan. students...
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Women in Math
Students explore the concept of women in mathematics. In this women mathematicians lesson, students research the role of women in mathematics using books and the Internet.
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Cave Diagram
Students examine limestone cave geology and hydology. They study cave vocabulary.
National Endowment for the Humanities
On This Day With Lewis and Clark
Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they discover the wonders, beauty, and dangers of the American frontier. After gaining background knowledge about Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, young explorers use primary...
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Investigating the Mammoth Mystery
Fourth graders go on a virtual dig to find out where the mammoth bones found in a rural U.S. county came from. They determine whether the bones were created by humans or were they the actual remains of mammoths who walked the area during...
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The Case of the Missing Steller Sea Lions
Students identify and analyze the various roles organisms play in food webs, populations, communities and ecosystems. Students assess the requirements for sustaining healthy local ecosystems. STudents evaluate human impacts on local...
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Celebrating Saturn and Cassini
Students use their notes from previous lessons to write a paper on Saturn or Cassini. They share their writings with the class. They discover how everyone has a different learning style.
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Insects
Learners work in groups to investigate the concept of insects. They participate in a variety of activities that include the gathering of samples and making observations like identifying different body parts. The instructional activity...
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Watch Over Wild Wanders
Students collect and organize data relating to migratory species and habitats; undertake a habitat action plan, then maintain planting and building projects for continuing benefit to wildlife; understand the unique needs of migratory...
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Unveiling the Secrets of Saturn
Students read and study an article then answer questions on Saturn. In this investigative activity students identify ways space exploration has helped humanity and then they search the Internet for space pictures and sketch a...
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Archaeological Detectives
Students, in groups, examine in depth one aspect of forensic archaeology to determine the skeleton's age, gender, and possible cause of death. To do so, students must first explain what is involved in each aspect of forensic archaeology.
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The Five Senses
Students research the five senses and their location on the body using both literature and the Internet. They design a slideshow that highlights their research on the senses. They study how some people do not have all of their senses.
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Weather
Students design and create a structure that acts as a greenhouse and measure and record temperatures within the structure over a 24 -hour period, research global warming and answer the given discussion questions.
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Seed Travel
Students explore the four different ways that seeds travel. They separate students into different groups and they act out how seeds travel. The groups act out their different scenarios in front of the class.
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The Human Mind
Students read and discuss twin studies to explore the debate of nature vs. nurture. They create a list of characteristics and then look for evidence of whether it is primarily a genetic or environmental characteristic. All of the...
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Testing for Life
Students discuss food and the food groups and their organic nature. They test 3 different solutions and test for protein, starch and glucose. In addition, they create a master table on the board to collect all the teams results.
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The ABC's of Artifacts
Students create their own ABC book about artifacts. In this artifact lesson, students read ABC History Mystery and review the artifacts pictured in the book. They create their own ABC book with each student working on a letter.