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Freshwater Fish Water Quality
Sixth graders work together to complete an experiment about the quality of freshwater. In groups, they collect fresh water samples from a variety of sources and test the pH levels. After completing a KWL chart, they test the amout of...
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Luz: Poetry and the Physics of Light
Students explore color, light, refraction and reflection. In this light lesson students measure solar position and compare it to time.
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Teaching The Personality Profile
Students write a comprehensive personality profile feature that demonstrates knowledge of the Wall Street Journal formula of feature writing and the concept of show, don't tell. They experience a press conference interview situation.
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Exploring The Columbian Exposition
Fourth graders listen to a read aloud of a book that provides background information on the Columbian Exposition. They research the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and the city of Chicago at the turn of the century and create a...
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Immigration and Photography: The Case of Lewis Hine
Middle schoolers are introduced to the characteristics of documentary photography. Individually, they cut out a paper frame and view their classroom through the "lens" and at different angles. After veiwing photographs, they practice...
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Man's Struggle for Environmental Preservation
Students examine the way all living things are connected to one another. In groups, they participate in experiments in which they analyze the chemical processes through the biosphere and explain the role of energy. They also brainstorm...
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African American Poetry: Family and Traditions
Students are introduced to the elements of African-American poetry. As a class, they are read different types of poems to discover there are different styles of poems and practice rhyming words. They share information on their family...
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Physics -- 24
Students record all of the instances of physics and science they are involved with in a full day. As a class, they complete a KWL chart on physics and read a story about Murphy's Law and the character's experiences. Individually, they...
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Expressive Self Portrait - Mixed Media
Students create self-portraits using prior artistic knowledge and personal experiences. Emphasis is placed on the works of Albrecht Durer, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Romare Bearden, and Chuck Close for inspiration.
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Investigating Electrical Circuits
Sixth graders draw and construct a complete circuit. In small groups they develop a list of questions about electricity, listen to a teacher-led lecture, construct a complete circuit, test circuits, and create an illustration of a...
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Chemical Changes and Biscuits
Fourth graders investigate chemical changes in everyday life settings, such as cooking. They investigate leavening which is one of the classic chemical changes that people experience. Pupils observe leavening in biscuits with the...
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The Effects of Temperature Variations on the Heartbeat Rate of Daphnia
Students use DigiScope technology to investigate Daphinia, popularly known as water fleas. They design, conduct, and report on an experiment to determine the effects of varying water temperatures on the heartbeat rate of Daphnia.
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Greek Vase Painting Project
Students identify the cultural context of ancient Greek, and especially Athenian, vase painting and the range of vase painting depictions of daily life and mythology. They experience the artistic and technical process of creating Greek...
First Ladies
The Women of Afghanistan
Students examine traditional role of women in Afghanistan, their experiences under rule of Taliban, and their struggle to provide better lives for themselves, their families, and their country in years since 2001. Students then organize...
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Nature Superfish
Students examine the billfish as a predator in the ocean. In this ocean, creatures, and tides lesson, students view video clips and discuss the sea creatures and scientists in the videos. Students create their own videos. students...
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Tall Tales Today
Students explore the attributes of American tall tales. In this folklore activity, students read several tall tales, describe the elements of tall tales, and then use hyperbole to write their own tall tales.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Guess What Benjamin Franklin Did!
Students research Ben Franklin's inventions. In this invention lesson plan, students see the relationship between a need and an invention. Students will engage in a class discussion, read a handout, and play a match the invention to its...
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A Place for Me in the Field of Music
Second graders listen to interviews with career musicians. They, in groups, present to classmates the life, music, inspiration, and goals of a favorite composer, performer, or group.
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Bioluminescence
Students discover the concept of bioluminescence. They identify marine animals who have use this and why. They work together to test the function of bioluminescence as camouflage.
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Biosphere II
Students continue their examination of the existence of life on Earth. In groups, they determine the role of the water cycle and other biogeochemical cycles play in keeping balance on Earth. They participate in experiments to discover...
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Ethnic Humor
Students define ethnicity and ethnic group in their own words. In groups, they view comic strips and identify how the strips relate to their family life. Individually, they write their own comic strip about their own ethnic group. To...
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Absolute Location
Fifth graders examine the geographic concept of absolute location. Using a variety of resources, they create a life-size classroom grid and locate the coordinates of a point, identify latitude and longitude of different locations, and...
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How much money can you earn?
Fifth graders survey how to manage money and the importance of it. Students summarize that each day they have the opportunity to earn or lose money. Students provides many situations to present ways of paying bills and money management.
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Simple Machines - Levers
Fourth graders lift objects with the fulcrum and load in various positions and then experiment with how much force is exerted by the effort and load arms of the lever. They place 5 paper clips in the load and move the fulcrum to match...