American Physiological Society
Feeling the Heat
How do the changing seasons affect the homes where we live? This question is at the forefront of engineering and design projects. Challenge your physical science class to step into the role of an architect to build a model home...
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Be a Building Detective!
Students participate in an in-depth study of a historic building in their community. They conduct a visual survey of the building, complete a worksheet, take a rubbing of the building, and research the history of the building.
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Rocks and Minerals
Review the difference between rocks and minerals using this resource. Learners identify and investigate the physical properties of these objects. They create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast types of rocks. This is a motivating way...
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For the Love of Publication!
What is a ‘Zine? Although the referenced PBS video that launches this study of self-published magazines is not available, the activities detailed and the step-by-step directions for creating ‘Zines would engage young writers. This...
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Mount Auburn Cemetery
Students use photos, maps and reading materials to examine the history and role of Mount Auburn Cemetery. They analyze the landscape of the cemetery, consider how it affects visitor's emotions and feelings and then design an original...
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Comparing Primary Sources from the Industrial Revolution
Tenth graders, in teams, analyze, evaluate and describe primary sources pertaining to industrialization at the turn of the century. They examine the sources and answer questions about each.
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Transportation in East Asia
Students engage in research about the subject of transportation in Eastern Asia. The size of countries and population pose challenges that are studied and reflected upon in student writings from the information found.
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Farm Animal Friends
Pupils apply basic communication and math skills to situations. They apply prior knowledge to list characteristics of different animals. They listen to music to engage multiple senses. Then images of animals are shared with them to make...
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Poverty, Inequality and Income Distribution
Students view a PowerPoint presentation on poverty in the UK and then research and discuss different strategies available to governments for tackling poverty through fiscal policy.
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Linking the Past with the Present
Fifth graders explore how Africans built South Carolina into an economic giant. They write an expository paper explaining how Africans and their descendants built the rice empire along the Carolina coastline. They write a persuasive...
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The Fugitive Slave Law and Migration
Students examine the Fugitive Slave Law as a motivating factor for slaves to emigrate outside the United States. After discussing the relationships between fugitive slaves and North American and Caribbean countries, they write essays...
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Yes, We Can!
Students examine a situation of striking workers in Los Angeles. They answer questions related to the story. They also interview people involved if time allows.
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The People and Places Around Us
Students investigate the different kinds of habitats for humans, animals, and things. They illustrate the interior and exterior views of their homes. Finally they create a map key and a block map of their school neighborhood.
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Hatshepsut's Temples and Obelisks
Third graders create Hatshepsut's Temples and Obelisks using a variety of materials.
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To Move or Not to Move? Decision Making and Sacrifice
Students examine the motivations that prompted people to move westward during the 19th century. They take on the role of an average citizen and weigh the costs and benefits of making such a move and decide if they would have participated...
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Human Factors
Students explain the psychological effects of living in space. They esign the houses and interior of a space settlement, make decisions about the running of a space settlement, and explore the human factors involved in space colonization.
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Human Factors
Learners design a space settlement for colonizing a planet in our solar system. In small groups, they play a space colony game and read an article about human needs in space to prepare for the design stage. They discuss their design...
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The Aral Sea: A Time for Change
Ninth graders investigate the physical changes in the Aral Sea from the year of 1960. They conduct research to find information. Students compare and contrast the changes caused by human activity over the years. They create their own...
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Bringing Illinois into the Curriculum
Students of all ages are introduced to the geography of Illinois. Depending on the grade level, they participate in different activities which allow them to discover Illinois in the past and present. They examine the animals and...
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Wild Waters Downtown
Fourth graders investigate how wild animals living in urba settings also need sources of clean water. They discuss the open water issues of West Nile Virus and what happens to urba animals as these poolings area are cleaned up. ...
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Lifestyles of the Rich and/or Famous
Students explore and analyze the detailed, yet complicated profiles that society placed on the lives of the prosperous as well as those with economic disadvantages in 19th century New York. In addition, by seeing the Merchant House...
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Writing the Mystery with a Purpose
Students present the outline of the mystery story they are writing while working in reciprocal teaching groups. They respond to group members writing before they continue to finish revisions.
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Web Quest on "How to Write a Mystery."
Students complete a Web Quest on How to Write a Mystery. They listen to or read a short mystery story and discuss its elements. They write an outline of a mystery story using all of the elements.
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WebQuest on Chester Himes
Students perform a WebQuest to find out why Chester Hime's detective books were so popular. Small groups perform the research together then report to the class.