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Sustainable Island Development
Students explain how the basic human needs of a large group of people can be met. They describe and evaluate alternative methods for providing water and food, producing electricity, handling wastes, and transporting goods and people....
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To Fish or Not to Fish?
Young scholars demonstrate the decision-making process for marine reserves designations. In this role-playing instructional activity students analyze maps and data relating to a proposed reserve. They formulate the best decisions based...
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Farm Stories, Animal Webbing, Favorite Farm Animal Graph
Students brainstorm animals they would expect to see on a farm. They save these on a Kidspiration web. Students watch or read a farm story. They discuss the characters. Students vote for their favorite farm animal and crate a graph using...
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We the People…in the News
Students use the newspaper to explore the world around us, our past and our government. In this civics unit, students complete 40 different lessons in civic education using that day's newspaper to reinforce the concept being taught.
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Clearing the Smoke About Cigarettes
Students explore the many causes and effects of cigarette smoking in order to create anti-smoking campaigns geared towards other students.
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Allow Me to Demonstrate…
Students examine the causes, actions and results of different demonstrations from around the world in modern history.
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Project X-35
Students demonstrate rocketry principles through a cooperative, problem solving simulation. They work in teams to simulate the development of a commercial proposal to design, build, and launch a rocket.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Students brainstorm and share opinions about products that can be reused or recycled after reading the article, "Seattle's Recycling Success Is Being Measured in Scraps." They then investigate, analyze and evaluate articles on recycling...
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Circumference Review
In this circumference lesson plan, learners review how to find the diameter and circumference of a circle, they apply their skills to a real life application. Students are presented with the task of determining the circumference of trees...
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Defining Issues
Students work on a 'campaign committee' to define civic issues that are important to them and their community. They write letters to city officials with proposals for how to address these issues.
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Tootsie-Roll Pop Chemistry
Students use Tootsie-Roll Pops to become familiar with atoms and chemical formulas. They, in groups, find more combinations of Tootsie-Roll Pops than the other lab groups within 3 minutes (Round 1), and within 5 minutes (Round 2).
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Legends Old and New
Students listen to a Native American legend and discuss the basic elements of story. In small groups they read and analyze more legends from books and Websites. Then they compose and present an original legend.
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America's Underwater Treasures Viewing Guide
Learners complete a worksheet while watching a video about how humans affect the ocean environment. They discover the need for a practice of balancing fisheries and their fishing practices. They examine how scientists use data to help...
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"And The Wind Blows..."
Students investigate a scenario involving the efficient use of wind power. They are challenged to ten grams of cargo a specified distance using only wind power.
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Getting Thirsty?
Young scholars explore the concept of drought and its significance as a natural hazard. In this drought lesson plan, students complete 13 questions on an "Introduction to Drought as an Ecosystem Stressor" worksheet and discuss the...
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Wood You Believe: Wood Products
In this wood products instructional activity, students walk to a forest near their school where they sit by themselves for a few minutes and quietly observe their surroundings. Students brainstorm wood or wood by products, discuss...
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Preventing Picky Eaters
Students examine how to encourage proper eating habits in children. In this nutrition lesson, students explore ways to encourage picky eaters to eat healthy foods. They discuss eating habits that include behavior and nutrition.
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In the Forecast, a Flurry of Concerns about Snow
Students consider the effects of climate change on snowfall and how a lack of data in snowfall collection impair climate change research. They, in groups, investigate different effects of snowfall and make recommendations to lobbyists.
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Thirsty for Drought Relief
Students research a variety of drought-related concerns, acting as part of a 'drought preparedness taskforce.' They propose next steps for the government to take in case of drought and assess the viability of these proposals.
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Field Trip Preparation
Learners prepare for a field trip. They navigate through a Underground Network site. This "field trip" can be conducted in a patch of healthy grass or soil anywhere you can find it: right outside your building, in a backyard or at a...
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The Value of a Garden
Learners explore the history of taxonomy, the work of Carl Linnaeus, and the factors involved in the decline and extinction of a variety of botanical species.
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Talkin' Trash (All About Landfills)
Students investigate the types of waste created by people and identify various options for trash disposal. They read and discuss a handout about what a landfill is and the different types of trash, match types of trash with the proper...
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Beaver, or not?
Young scholars study the role of the beaver in Illinois during the 1800's and how overtrapping cause the near extinction of the beaver colonies in Illinois by 1900. Students role play various people in 1945 who have an opinion about the...
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Home Sick
Students discuss where everyday aliments could be treated. After reading an article, they discuss the life of a traveling nurse and how it differs from a hospital nurse. Using the internet, they research the requirements for taking...