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Build an Approximate Scale Model of an Object
Students create a model of an object of their choice using sketches that they have drawn. They study what a scale model is and how to construct one. They examine the uses for scale models and why they are produced.
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Compare Human-made Objects with Natural Objects
Learners examine and observe how many human-made objects get their basic design from things in nature. They listen to the book "Nature Got There First," compare/contrast hollow bones with drinking straws, bird beaks and tool pliers, and...
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Design Packing to Safely Mail Raw Spaghetti
Students investigate and determine a way to mail raw spaghetti. In small groups, they package their raw spaghetti using various packing materials, mail the package through the postal system, and evaluate their packing design after...
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Design a Bicycle Helmet
Students are introduced to the biomechanical characteristics of helmets. They incorporate these characteristics into designs for helmets for various applications. They understand that using a bicycle helmet helps to protect the brain and...
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Do As the Romans: Construct an Aqueduct!
Learners explore how the Romans engineered and built aqueducts. They read a manual, explore the Construct a Roman Aqueduct online activity, and construct an aqueduct that will transport two liters of water across a short distance in the...
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Design Your Own Rube Goldberg Machine
Students design and construct a Rube Goldberg machine that accomplishes a simple task in at least ten steps. They view and discuss various Rube Goldberg designs, identify types of simple machines, and in small groups produce a schematic...
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Floating and Falling Flows
Students discover fluid dynamics related to buoyancy through experimentation and optional photography. Using one set of fluids, they make light fluids rise through denser fluids. Using another set, they make dense fluids sink through a...
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Forces and Graphing
Students analyze graphs to determine relationships between variables and rates of change. They determine the basic concepts about static reaction forces. They determine the slope and equation of a line.
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Smart Move!
Students visualize a communication system. They encode, decode, transmit, receive and store messages. Students use a code sheet and flashlight for this process. They will also maintain a storage sheet from which they can retrieve...
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Ellis Island Tapestry
Students participate in a simulation activity. They explore Ellis Island and experiences that immigrants in the late 1800's had on their way to the United States. The role play includes questioning by inspectors, a manifest list, and...
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Redefining an Earthquake
Ninth graders build an "Earthquake Machine" (a manipulative model of a fault line) and use it to explore stick-slip behavior of some faults and to develop a more accurate definition of an earthquake and its causes.
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Start Book
Learners review their notes, drawings, photos and writing from the field trip to share with the whole group. They make a fiction or nonfiction storybook as a group. They include writing from all students and can include artwork and...
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Back To School Scavenger Hunt
Learners listen to the story "The Gingerbread Man". They search for teacher created and placed clues to help find The Gingerbread Man. They follow the clues as they navigate their way through the school and become aquainted with areas...
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Waterdrops
In this environment worksheet, students read an article about water drops and the nature center. They pretend that they are going to a nature center and write what they would hope see there. Students also identify living things and...
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Waterdrops Water Cycle
In this earth science worksheet, students read an article about the water cycle. Then they continue the story about the travels of a water droplet through time and space. Students also complete sentences by writing in the correct word...
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Sprinkles
In this science worksheet, students read a water trip rebus. Pictures replace several of the words in the article. They color a picture of the water cycle and add arrows to show the direction the water is moving. Students draw a picture...
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Biome Organizer Chart
In this biome organizer chart worksheet, students use the triangular chart to research and list the names of animals that live in the tundra, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, tropical rain forest, grasslands, and desert. Students...
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Polar Bear Literacy Activity
Young scholars generate vocabulary words synonymous or related to "noise." In this literacy lesson, students listen to the book Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do You Hear? by Bill Martin and Eric Carle and discuss the meaning of vocabulary...
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Are We the People?
Students investigate their elected officials and their roles. In this governmental leadership lesson, students discuss the Constitution and research their elected officials. They also organize the information they find regarding the...
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Kindergarten Scavenger Hunt
Students participate in a scavenger hunt. In this icebreaker lesson, students are given Scavenger Hunt Sheets and search their new classroom for the objects.
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A Day In the Life of a 4th/5th Grader
Students design a photo essay. In this photo essay lesson, students take digital pictures of their daily activities such as their mode of travel to school, the lunchroom, their classroom and classmates. They choose the photos that depict...
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Virtual Travel Plan
Learners navigate the web to prepare for an imaginary trip and record expenses involved. In this state culture and symbol lesson, students gather information to be used in a multimedia project.
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Underground Railroad
Learners explore the Underground Railroad. In this U.S. history and technology lesson, students research an assigned topic related to the Underground Railroad, such as "abolitionist," "conductor," or "station houses." ...
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A Moment in Time
Fifth graders research a year in history. In this research lesson, 5th graders choose a year between 1801 and 1999 and write three research questions to answer about their year. Students must include three major events and investigate...