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Sailing, Sailing

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
In this sailing lesson plan, youngsters read The Wreck of the Zephyr, and attempt to predict the outcome of the story. They draw a picture of a sailboat, identify its characteristics, and write their own fictional sailing story.
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Global Water Crisis

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Assign ecologists one of five countries that struggle with access to clean water. They research the water crisis in that country and then present information to classmates. A handout was designed for each country, and a worksheet on...
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What's Your Temperature?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Learners take a look at the local newspaper and focus on the weather section. They get into small groups, and each one looks at the same map, but of a different part of the country. They must prepare a presentation that shows how...
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A Day in the life of...

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students read about and study insects--their distinguishing characteristics, habitats, camouflage methods, defense mechanisms, etc. They draw pictures and write a story from the viewpoint of an insect and share their pictures and stories...
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Growing a Seed

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Seeing how seeds grow into plants is such an enjoyable for students! They plant lima bean seeds and take pictures to record the growth of their plants. Students write in a journal to describe their daily observations of their plants, and...
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Groundwater as Part of the Water Cycle

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Make sure to read through the activity procedures thoroughly before teaching this lesson because the materials list is incomplete. Also, the mentioned worksheets and booklet are not available. However, there is no need to discard this...
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Sound Waves

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Using a karaoke machine, a guitar, and other devices, learners explore the way sound waves travel. Using this hands on approach, learners can get a better understanding of wavelength, frequency, and more.
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DNA is Who I Am

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers expand on and elaborate about the field of genetics.
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Animal Legends

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders review the concept of a legend. Using the internet, they research animals found in Illinois. They write their own legends based on the animal they researched. They share their story and show pictures of the animals to the...
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What are Dinosaurs?

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore the attributes of dinosaurs. In this dinosaur lesson, students read books and watch videos featuring dinosaurs. Students also research dinosaur traits using Internet sources.
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Meiosis

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study meiosis and how it leads to variation. In this genetic reproduction lesson plan students complete a lab activity that calculates different genetic possibilities.
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Animal Safari on the Internet

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students verbalize, analyze and practice various research steps including using the Internet for searches and how to use bookmarked sites. They use these skills to research animals.
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The Magic School Bus in the Time of the Dinosaurs

For Teachers K - 4th
Students draw names of dinosaurs out of a hat and write a report about the one they picked. Students write a riddle about their favorite prehistoric animal, post it on a bulletin board, and have other guess which animal it is about....
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Weather in a Bottle

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine air flow, pressure, condensation and examine how to read a weather map.  In this informative lesson students learn vocabulary then see how these terms can be applied by viewing a few demonstrations pertaining...
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Three is a Toxic Number

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Future public health advocates read a case study of a combination of water pollutants that may be linked to autism. The class is split into three groups, one to research each of the suspected chemicals. The look at how each one affects...
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Introducing Recycling

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students study environmental issues of excess garbage and learn about recycling. For this recycling lesson, students discuss recycling and read a story about too much garbage. Students write a persuasive essay about the importance of...
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Dear Peter Rabbit

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Write dear old Peter Rabbit a letter with this lesson. First, youngsters listen to the story Peter Rabbit and analyze the story elements. Then they complete a story map graphic organizer in order to write a letter to Peter...
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Penguin Presentations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the attributes of penguins. In this penguins lesson, students participate in a penguin scavenger hunt and take notes on the information they encounter. Students prepare reports about their findings and share them with...
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The Rain Forest of Costa Rica

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine and discuss the topography, climate, natural resources and artwork of Costa Rica. They develop a diagram of the layers of the rain forest, and design a tourist brochure or advertisement promoting Costa Rica's...
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Stella the Swan

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students study the similarities and differences between ducks, geese, and swans. They tell the story about how water fowl adapt to life in water using props.
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Celebration of Trees

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders listen to various, grade appropriate stories about trees. They create their own construction paper trees and discuss the importance of trees to the ecosystem and the importance of taking care of them. Finally, 2nd graders...
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Is it a solid or liquid?

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students review the vocabulary terms solid and liquid. They also review that adjectives tell what kind, which one, and how many. The teacher introduces a "Oobleck" after reading "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" by Dr. Seuss. The students...
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Symbiosis: Help, Hinder or Destroy

For Teachers 6th Standards
Use background information and vocabulary to familiarize your students with the concept of symbiosis and the role agriculture plays in the shared relationship. They then write the vocabulary in their lab books or journals, and read the...
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Toward a Sustainable Agriculture

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Read about sustainable agriculture and complete related Internet activities. After reading background information about the economics of sustainable agriculture and the problems with the industrial food system, your high schoolers click...