Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the effects of immigration on the immigrants and on society as a whole. They survey opportunities to understand the complex issues of the immigrant experience, both past and present. Illustrations of immigration...
Lesson Plan
Indian Land Tenure Foundation

Leaders' Decisions and Actions

For Teachers K - 2nd
Community leaders try to make choices that protect the community and the environment. Little ones learn about how tribal communities look to their chief to guide the decision-making process. Your class will become part of the community...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mussels Are Coming

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students work together to identify and describe the various types of mussels. Using a color-coded system, they plot the arrival date of zebra mussels in North American waters. They discuss the increase in their population with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the History of the I&M Canal

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students examine the building of the I & M canal in Chicago. Using the internet, they research the lives of the individuals who worked on the construction and develop a timeline of events. They explore the impact of the canal on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Lakes Food Web

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students identify species and components of a Great Lakes food web. Using note cards, they place themselves in the correct order of the food chain based on the species present. They discuss what they believe happens to various species...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Flower Power Quiz 1

For Students 5th - 10th
In this flowers worksheet, students complete a quiz on flowers and things associated with them in the 1960's through 1990's. Students complete 14 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. and Canada: How are We the Same? How are We Different?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Get high school geographers to compare and contrast Canada and the United States. They begin by drawing a freehand map of North America, then complete readings to gain insight into Canada. The text is not provided; however, another text...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Exotics

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify and describe the aquatic exotic species found in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the species origins and discover their effects on native species in the area. They discuss how appropriate it is to introduce...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Easy Street

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Pupils work together to complete a simulation on drought days. As a class, they discuss their results and compare water usage of the past to current numbers. After reading short excerpts, they answer discussion questions and review as a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go To The Head of the Cloud

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students pretend they are water droplets traveling through the water cycle. Using their text, they discover the steps in the cycle and the different paths water can take. They write a report about their journey through the water cycle...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leach Out and Touch Someone

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students discuss how groundwater becomes polluted. In groups, they design and create models of groundwater pollution sources. They demonstrate to the class how the water may become contaminated from local and nonlocal pollution sources.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

River Research

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students use the internet to research the streams and rivers found in Illinois. Using the information, they identify and describe the rivers and streams along with the physical characteristics of a river ecosystem. They share what they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat Happenings

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the characteristics of the Prairie Creek Habitat in Illinois. In groups, they travel between various stations writing haikus and reading brochures. They identify what occurs in each habitat and identify the animals...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Migration Activation

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students play the role of migrating birds. As a class, they simulate a migration of birds to one place and back again. They relate their habitat size and changes to their current population numbers. They discover the many dangers of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Indiana's Natural Resources

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a variety of activities as they study the European exploration of the Midwest, focusing on Indiana. They map the path explorers took, comparing the British with the French. They research why the explorers stopped...
Worksheet
Curated OER

What Makes A Community Sustainable

For Students 9th - 12th
For this environment worksheet, students read three different case studies in order to apply them to the categories of finding the best possible choices to make for helping a community flourish.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World History: Why Civilizations Fall

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine factors leading to the demise of ancient civilizations. They list causes that led to the downfall of these societies. Students conduct Internet research and participate in online archaeological investigations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lorax

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify and list five problems presented in The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. They relate these problems to current environmental issues and debate how to make a difference then participate in different activities to improve their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students research the exploration of Antarctica by the explorer Sir Ernest Shackelton. In this Antarctic exploration lesson, students watch a movie about Sir Ernest Shackelton and his ship the Endurance. Students study a map of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water, Glorious Water

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify the various uses of water. In this water conservation lesson, students read the book, The Drop In My Drink: The Story of Water On Our Planet and write down their favorite uses of water. Students illustrate how they can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Hazards

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars evaluate the hazards of naturally occurring events. After watching a video concerning safety hazards, students work in groups to discuss the safety issues involved in taking a trip to a mountainous region. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Water?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students investigate amount of water available in different countries around the world, compare it to their daily water use, and explore how unequal distribution of water can cause challenges to survival. Students then discuss need to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raising Rhino Awareness

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a poster that promotes awareness about endangered animals. In this biology instructional activity, students explain the impact of rhinoceros poaching. They create a poem about them and present it in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating the "Perfect" Horse

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the relationship between a horse and its rider.  In this behavior and interactions lesson students research the Internet to learn about horse behavior and biology then write a paper and present it to the class.