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First Contact

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders have an opportunity to enhance their computer skills by using Internet as a resource tool and a vehicle for global interaction with other students.
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Propaganda: Making a Commercial

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study different propaganda techniques. In groups, they write and perform a 60-second TV or radio commercial. Classmates rate the effectiveness of the commercial and whether or not they might buy the product.
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Civil Service Reform: Senate Debates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. They discuss the spoils system, answer discussion questions, read and analyze speeches, complete a worksheet summarizing their findings, and report their findings to the...
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What is an Aquifer?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine how an aquifer operates. They discuss the implications of the groundwater becoming contaminated. They work together to create an aquifer model to observe the connection between surface water and groundwater.
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Trade Impasse

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the concept of free trade. They watch a video clip about this topic and write an essay comparing the opinions of the guests on the show. They research a country and role-play their decisions in international trade.
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Paper Rockets

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students design, construct, and fly paper rockets that travel the greatest distance possible across a floor model of the solar system. They construct small flying rockets out of paper and propel them by blowing air through a straw.
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E-mail Abbreviations

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students identify an abbreviation or acronym for communication purposes. Students write various messages using each correctly. Students make a list of the most common abbreviation and acronyms used currently.
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Research Ethics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop an ability to distinguish between simple error, misconduct and fraud. Students are lead to consider a widening circle of the consequences of misconduct and fraud. They expand their knowledge on the self-regulating...
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Biome Exchange - Send the "Stuff" Not The Kids

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students exchange ecological information with students from different geographic biomes. They box up the "unique ecologically significant features" of their area, send the box to another class in another area and then receive a similar...
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Winter Weather Day 5: Follow Up

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students participate in culminating activities for a winter weather unit. They discuss what they have learned about winter weather, and write a diamante poem using winter vocabulary words. Students also construct a pinwheel and explore...
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Earthquakes And Fault Lines

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss major causes of earthquakes and identify famous fault lines, access and map information about ten largest earthquakes in world from 1989 to 1998, and theorize about location of these earthquakes as they relate to Earth's...
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The Case of Similar Substances

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students solve a crime mystery using chemical tests. They review the crime scenario and then become familiar with the procedure and results for two tests used to identify unknown powders. They perform the tests on the crime samples and...
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Alaska Purchase Debate

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the benefits and the challenges Alaska has presented to the United States. They research what the government and the people of the United States considered at the time of the purchase of Alaska in order to debate the...
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Carter as President and Ex-President

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how Presidents are judged during their time in office as well as afterwards. They conduct and Internet search for Jimmy Carter's inaugural address and write a news story about his address. Once they have written an...
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Who's at Risk?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are asked what do they comprehend about HIV, such as: how does it get transmitted, and what happens to the body once someone contracts the virus. They discuss ways that people can avoid getting and spreading AIDS. Students...
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Outdoor Photography with Digital Cameras

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students become familiar with perspective, composition and framing of pictures. In this photographing nature instructional activity, students photograph and then describe their pictures in a paragraph. Students build pictures to tell a...
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Get to Know Birds

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students observe animals in their natural habitats. In this bird identification lesson plan, students observe birds by watching and listening and report on the sightings they made. Students also document bird signs such as tracks,...
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The Future of Haiti

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners analyze the future of Haiti. In this Haiti lesson, students research the economy of Haiti as they read several artcles and participate in group discussion. Learners then collaborate in small groups to propose...
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Habitats of the World

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners discover that the Earth supports many different animal habitats. In this habitat lesson students research different habitats of the world. Learners show how the animals in their habitat are adapted.
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Cancer Research

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers participate in a class demonstration to see how many Americans are affected by cancer in their lifetime.  In this public health lesson, students are placed in situations that allow them to experience how relevant...
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Mississippi River

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study scanning and skimming techniques. In this research skills activity, students use the research techniques on print literature about the Mississippi River. Students prepare book talks on the literature they read.
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Ivory Wars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the controversy surrounding African trade. In this geography activity, students research the killing of elephants for ivory. Middle schoolers collaborate to report on the history of the ivory trade and its...
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Rome's Rise To Power: The Republic

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the government structure of ancient Rome. In this government systems lesson, students compare and contrast the government of ancient Rome with the government of the United States.
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Cities

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine U.S. Census figures. For this urban centers lesson, students compare city populations across the span of 50 years. Students create line graphs based on the data.