Curated OER
Scaling the Map
Middle schoolers practice determining map distances using the map scales. They discover how much an area represents on the map in relation to the actual area. They decide on the best place to build their cavern.
Curated OER
Map Scale and the Pioneer Journey
Fourth graders use a map, ruler and calculato to determine the distance the pioneers traveled from Nauvoo, Ill. to the Salt Lake Valley.
Curated OER
Migration of the African American Family
Students investigate the influence Africa has had on African-American families as they have migrated from Africa to various sections of the United States. They utilize map skills to locate regions in Africa and in the United States.
Curated OER
Landforms of Iowa
Students observe the landscape and different landforms where they live. In this landforms lesson plan students list and define materials that make up their local landforms.
ReadWriteThink
Dear Librarian: Writing a Persuasive Letter
Everyone deserves to read a great book! Here, pupils write a persuasive letter to the school's librarian detailing their favorite story and why it should be found on the shelves. Class members' persuasive reading passages are shared with...
US Apple Association
Apples: A Class Act! (Grades 4–6)
Middle schoolers have a bushel of fun as they engage in activities and research core facts about apples. Packed with suggestions for in-class activities and out-of-class research, the colorful 6-page packet is sure to satisfy hungry...
Curated OER
Diversity
Students work in groups to research and prepare an oral report about a region. For this regions lesson, students find out about the geography, population, state capitals, and landmarks. Students assign attributes to the...
Curated OER
The Formation and Value of Temperate Grasslands
Students study the Temperate Grasslands biome of North America. They explain that it is an endangered ecosystem because the rich soils have been converted to farming in most areas. They view videos imbedded in this plan, then complete...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Farmland: GMOs and Organic Agriculture
Learn more about genetic modification, organic farming, and the role of biotechnology in agriculture by watching a documentary that shows how newly gained knowledge can be applied to specific situations involving farmers and the choices...
Curated OER
Prairie Voices: Community Development, Investigating Local History
Learners investigate local history. In this research skills lesson, students examine historic landmarks, tax records, fire maps, town plans, historic photographs, newspapers, and other primary sources to learn about local communities in...
Curated OER
Brucemore Mansion
Students take a closer look at Brucemore Mansion. In this Iowa history instructional activity, students research what life was like at the mansion during the Gilded Age and through history. Students also research the responsibilities of...
Curated OER
Communications: To the Rescue!
Students role-play as soldiers rescuing lost mountain climbers. Working in teams, they interpret maps to locate the climbers and use flashlights to send and receive coded messages about the rescue. Their goal is to complete the task in...
Curated OER
Volcanoes:How Safe Are They?
Students explore volcanoes, locate them on maps, record general information about volcanoes, and organize information on a fact sheet.
Curated OER
Lincoln Home National Historic Site: A Place of Growth and Memory
Eighth graders study the history of Lincoln's home. In this American History lesson, 8th graders examine artifacts from his home to learn about his beliefs. Students participate in a webquest on Lincoln's home.
Curated OER
The Value of Coins
Students examine the Iowa state quarter and discuss things they value. They draw a picture of something they value and then practice identifying the values of coins.
Curated OER
Possible Locations
Middle schoolers create maps with cutout pieces of paper that represent caverns. They develop a scale for their map and decide where the best location is to live. They discover the importance of map reading skills.
Curated OER
The Heartland
Young scholars note how personal perceptions influence the understanding of what a region. They look at an agricultural map of what is considered to be the Heartland of the US. They read the words to George Strait's, America's Heartland...
Curated OER
Land Grant Colleges
Students are introduced to the concept of land grant colleges which allowed agriculture to be brought into education. As a class, they create a timeline and compare and contrast the land grant colleges of 1890 and 1892. They use maps...
Iowa State University
Emergency & First Aid Orientation
Here you'll find a presentation that covers a wide range of emergency and first aid topics, such as evacuation planning, what to do in the event of a fire or severe weather, and addressing a number of medical emergencies, such as...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Design 'Y'er Genes
How do changes in DNA affect an organism? Scholars explore chromosomes, genes, DNA, and mutations by modeling the DNA of a strawberry. They build a DNA model, then manipulate it to show how changing the genes transforms the strawberry...
Read Write Think
Book Report Alternative: Rewind the Plot!
Have you ever looked for a new way to teach an old concept? Scholars thinking about the rising action of a story in a whole new perspective. However, Book Report Alternative: Rewind the Plot! challenges readers and allows for much...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Build it Better
If you think you can do better, feel free to give it a try. Pupils learn about the work on Temple Grandin and consider ways to improve animal handling facilities. They work in groups to build models to showcase their ideas.
Curated OER
Out of the Mud
Eleventh graders explore the impact the automobile had on Iowans and their ways of life. In this technology lesson, 11th graders research how Iowans promoted "Good roads" and the reasons for paving roads.
Curated OER
LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI PAST AND PRESENT
Third graders explore the Mississippi River and the ways in which it is used by the communities it travels through.