Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gaia Hypothesis: An Approach to Problem Solving in the Environment

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students are introduced to the Gaia hypothesis by examining a conceptual sketch. In groups, they analyze the way they can use Dewey's method for problem solving to solve problems within the environment. They are given a problem facing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in a Willow?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study of nutritional value of edible native plants. discriminate between foods that have nutritional value and those that do not. They relate how food can affect how they think, feel, and perform.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Westward Movement

For Teachers Pre-K - 8th
Students study the westward movement through examining stamps. In this westward movement lesson plan, students draw conclusions, determine cause and effect relationships and examine the westward movement of the United States by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaurs Here Yesterday Gone Today

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students take a pre-test to show their prior knowledge of dinosaurs. Using the internet, they reasearch the time period in which they roamed the Earth. Focusing on the area of Connecticut, they compare and contrast the large and small...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of This World

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders animate their own planets.  In this solar system lesson, 5th graders use smartphones and the software, GoKnow Sketchy, to create images for presentations on their created planets that appear to be animated when played...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eco-Kids: How Students Can Help Save the World

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In this ecology lesson, 4th graders create models of wind mills and hydropower. They discuss the pros and cons of using alternative forms of energy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TORNADOES!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders compare the parts of a real tornado with the parts of a tornado created in a demonstration, label "Tornado Alley" on their maps, and label the locations of famous tornado disasters on their maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nutrition and Health and School Gardening

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine how healthy eating contributes to a healthy body and life style. They read nutritional labels on food items. They use the Five Foods Pyramid to evaluate their own eating habits. They plan, design, and create a school...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Barbara Jordan

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine the contributions made to our country by Barbara Jordan. They read and discuss the books "The Sneetches" and "Building a Bridge," write journal entries, participate in a discrimination simulation, create a class...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lorax

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify environmental problems. In this natural resources lesson students participate in several activities that support critical thinking about the environment and natural resources. The students write, list, and verbally...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Land as a Valuable Resource

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate why the soil is important to our lives. In this natural resources instructional activity, students have a farmer as a guest speaker. Students begin to understand how farmers use and protect our natural resource....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shoot for the Moon

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders distinguish the different phases of the moon. For this astronomy lesson, 2nd graders study the history of its discovery and myths about its origin. They simulate how the moon's surface is illuminated by the sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sound of Music in Kenya

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study Kenya's culture and see how people and things can be different and similar at the same time. They create a pictograph of objects from each culture that are used in similar ways and examine a few Swahili words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Preparing and Planting the Garden

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students prepare to build and plant a garden. In this service learning lesson, students take all the necessary steps to prepare a community garden for planting and reflect on the experience.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Combating Corrosion

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Study corrosion on bronze statues with a hands-on lesson. As pupils place a penny in water with salt, they observe the changes in the penny throughout a period of a week. They then analyze the pre-conservation and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Warrior Role in Greek Society

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are introduced to the various gods and goddesses in ancient Greek mythology. In groups, they use print and electronic resources to research the ways Greek culture has influenced the modern world. To end the instructional...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Now and Then

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students record transformations and their effects within and across cultures. Students study the life of specific people in a former time period and then in the present time period. This teacher focused on the Winnebago tribe, using her...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Prairie

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design an animal.  In this prairie instructional activity, students learn about physical and behavioral adaptation, locate the Great Plains on a map, and design an animal that would be perfectly adapted for life on the...
Lesson Plan
Peace Corps

Weather and Water in Ghana

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the climate of their region. Students research statistics and conduct interviews. Students take a virtual tour of Ghana and discuss its climate. Students consider water conservation and the role it plays in both...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Your Own Master Calendar

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders discuss time demands such as homework, family, and chores that occupy their free time. They discuss how to effectively manage their time. They write important information and activities on a calendar. They develop and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Michigan Fun Facts

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders work with a partner to plan, rese,a rch design and publish a slide show that depicts the most important or interesting facts they have learned about Michigan. They are given the choice of working in one of the seven...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson #3: Internet Map Activity

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners label assembly centers and relocation camps on a given map of the United States in order to create a better understanding of the relocation experience of Japanese-American citizens and the distance that families had to move and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creation and Interpretation of Voter Participation Graph

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research information about voter participation in the United States based on age. They develop generalizations about voting patterns in the U.S and use Microsoft Excel to analyze the information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students learn what the Kyoto Protocol is and examine the decision of the United States to not sign the agreement.