Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaf, Tree and Prairie Study

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students are introduced to the topic of Botany and the process of photosynthesis. Using various habitats, they research the amount of destruction it is facing and how to solve the problem. They make a leaf booklet with leaves they find...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where In the World Are You?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders fill in blank copies of the United States Map and then the World Map.
Lesson Plan
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Place Names

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate the meaning of various Native American names. In this Native American language instructional activity, students locate state names that come from Native American descriptions and mark them on a map. Students then...
Lesson Plan
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Backseat Travelers

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the geography of the Southeast regions of the United States. They conduct Internet research, listen to the book "No Star Nights," and plan and write a trip through this regions.
Lesson Plan
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Island Animals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concepts of endangered animals and conservation. In this animal conservation lesson, students complete activities to investigate the endangered animals of the US Virgin Islands. Students complete multiple worksheets...
Lesson Plan
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Explorers (Early European)

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners research and explore the past and its historical roots involving the economic motivations of early European explorers. They assess connections between the current technological advances in transportation and that of the early...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Brand for Ourselves the "Cowboy" Way

For Teachers Higher Ed
Pupils define cowboys and learn about their roles on rangelands. In this rangeland lesson, students define cowboys and cowgirls and complete a KWL chart. Pupils read Cattle Kids and Til the Cows Come Home. Students visit the Diamond...
Lesson Plan
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Waltz Across Texas

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders conduct research about regions of Texas by using the web. They research an endangered plant AND an endangered animal that is found in their region. Students prepare and deliver oral reports about their region.
Lesson Plan
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Criminal or Hero

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the origins of slavery.  In this US History instructional activity, 5th graders create a map of the United States that shows where slavery existed.  Students examine the life of a Northern slave through...
Lesson Plan
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Gettysburg: The Civil War's Costliest Battle

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners research the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. In this Gettysburg instructional activity, students analyze journals and letters written by the Gettysburg soldiers. Learners define Civil War soldier vocabulary words....
Lesson Plan
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Where Does Water Come From: The Water Cycle

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students read the book The Magic School Bus Wet All Over and summarize the steps of the water cycle. Students label a picture map of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
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Planning a Railroad

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use a topographical map to plan a route from Doknner Summit to Truckee, then compare it to the route selected by Theodore Judah.
Lesson Plan
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Geographic Landscapes and Interstate Freeway Development

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Pupils investigate the topography of the United States through a discovery lesson. They create a hypothetical route for a highway across the United States. Students also conduct research major landforms and define geographic terms.
Lesson Plan
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Lost Illinois History

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners discuss "The Trail of Tears," why it happened, what it is, and where it began and ended. They work in groups to complete a reading section and answer a series of questions then share the answers with the class. Students take a...
Lesson Plan
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How Does Kansas Measure Up?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students identify the five main crops of Kansas and crops that are produced in other states. The categorize the types of fruits and seeds of each plant and measure each to compare the length of each.
Lesson Plan
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What are Quarters Made of?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the meaning, symbolism, and value of U.S. coins, especially the quarter. They l research why in 1965 the U.S. Mint decided to change the metal composition of the quarter to copper coated with zinc. In addition, they...
Lesson Plan
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Mapping The Way With Lewis & Clark

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders analyze and compare maps used on the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Students write reports about the geography of the land. They answer questions about Lewis & Clark.
Lesson Plan
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Pennsylvania Walkers Club

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students participate in an school-wide walking club. Students choose a destination in Pennsylvania they would like to visit. After plotting the best way to get their using a map, the walk each day and record their distance in miles on...
Lesson Plan
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Bison Sites of Texas

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students locate bison-related sites on a map and identify important bison-related sites. The Bison has had a profound effect on the history of Texas and studenst discover the importance of the animal to the history of the state.
Lesson Plan
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Mapping Your Neighborhood

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students define and outline their neighborhoods using GIS (geographic information systems) or a regional map and relate their neighborhoods to the principles of Smart Growth.
Lesson Plan
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Comparing Rights Documents

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students compare rights from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with those in the United States Bill of Rights and Amendments. They explore reasons for the presence or absence of certain rights.
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History of Colorado-Migration to the West

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify reasons for people moving to the Colorado Territory and examine how moving in the 1800's is different than moving today. They also practice reading maps and gathering information from maps, as well as, describe...
Lesson Plan
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Water: The Liquid of Life

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete a lesson on the properties, types and amounts of water on Earth. In groups, they travel between stations to identify water resources in Illinois and pollution sources. They complete the lesson with a field trip...
Lesson Plan
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The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush: Native American Life

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read," The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola and discuss the way legends are passed down orally. They then create their own legend and illustrate it on a simulated "Buffalo Skin" made from brown paper.