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Igneous Rocks
Second graders examine igneous rocks in this lesson. They discuss the rock cycle and how rocks form. They also explore volcanic activities and build their own volcano.
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Sediment Sleuths
Young scholars classify sediments based on their physical characteristics, such as size, shape and color. They identify and describe rocks and minerals that are common to their region of the state.
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Spider Poems: The Spider and the Fly
Learners review the information they gathered on different websites to write a poem about spiders. They use other websites to gain more information if needed. They share their poem with the class.
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The Spider and the Fly
Students incorporate the knowledge they learned about spiders on the ISM Web site, Spider Collection, and other Web sites they viewed on
spiders to write a rhyming poem (possibly choosing a poem type illustrated here) about an aspect of...
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Heartfelt/Handmade Activity: Hand-Molded Pottery
Learners view and discuss examples of pottery. They discuss how pottery has always been made by hand and use a ball of clay to roll and shape into a form of their choice.
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Plant Adaptations
Students identify parts of prairie plants. They sketch the plants indicating its adaptive parts and write brief descriptions of them. They present their findings to the class.
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Exploring Uses of Rocks and Minerals
Students explore the uses of rocks and minerals. They make observations to identify objects from the present and past are made out of rocks.
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Side by Side: Butterfly Wings and Symmetry
Students observe butterfly images and then draw and paint their own design. They use this activity to explain symmetry.
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Ojibwa Sewn Bead Designs
Learners research the Ojibwa beading design. They create their own beading necklace or bracelet.
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Sorting Rocks
Students devise a rock word web and sort rocks by applying the categories they discuss.
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Minerals- the Building Blocks of Rocks
Students investigate how rocks are composed minerals by dissecting rock cookies.
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Rocks and Minerals- Uses Past and Present
Students investigate the use of rocks in past and present societies. They examine how important rocks are.
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Landforms of Illinois
Young scholars discover the primary landforms of Illinois. They examine how those landforms were formed as well. In groups, they research one of the landforms from their vocabulary list. They create their landform in a shoebox and...
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War, What is it Good for?
Eighth graders examine aspects of the American Civil War related to West Virginia. In this research skills instructional activity, 8th graders collaborate to research Civil War topics and create electronic portfolios that feature their...
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Spot the Leaf: Identifying Plants in Works of Art
Pupils explore the leaf as a design motif in art. They conduct Internet research on leaf and tree symbolism, view and discuss artwork, and create an original work of art featuring a leaf or leaf motif.
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WPA Art and Visual Elements of Art
Students recognize the following formal elements om art: visual and tactile texture; shape or contour; value. They create a 2-D or 3-D work of art that embodies this element strongly.
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Creating a Leaf Collection and Classroom Herbarium
Young scholars categorize leaves they collect from trees outdoors by consulting a variety of sources. They discuss how the form of a leaf reflects its adaptation to its environment.
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Reading Comprehension Activity
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read 3 different passages and answer a set of multiple choice questions for each. Answers can be submitted and scored on line.
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Rocks, Rocks & More Rocks
Second graders work together to examine different types of rocks. They sort rocks according to their characteristics and properties.
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Jews and Blues
Students examine how American Jews affect music and entertainment. They identify problems between immigrants and their children. They relate the Jewish American issue to those of African Americans.
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Anne Frank: One of Hundreds of Thousands
Students conduct research to put Anne Frank's diary into historical context. They use maps, timelines, essays and websites to examine the early victories of the German army, paying special attention to the Netherlands and experiences of...
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American Jews and Civil Rights
Tenth graders examine the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's and how American Jews were involved. They discuss the responsibilities of any minority or ethnic group. They consider the process of change in politics as well.
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Jews in America at the Time of Growth and Change: Forging New Frontiers
Tenth graders examine the role of Jewish Americans in the 1900s. They examing the changes in industry and inventions. They also identify how Jewish Americans changed society and religious organization.
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Playing Hot and Cold
Students read about homeothermy. Through research and poster projects, they gain insight into the diversity among mammals and the ways specific mammals survive in their native climates.