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Iron Fertilization - Pumping Iron
The theory that adding iron to ocean water may increase phytoplankton ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is examined. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is monitoring conditions off the California coast to...
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River of Venom
Read an exciting science mystery about killer bees online, evaluate a list of clues, and try to answer the questions correctly. The story responds to the reader's choices and presents research material for the next step. Though the...
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Dissolved Gases in Water
Using different types of water, earth science explorers set out to prove the ocean's ability to absorb greenhouse gases. They shake, heat, and freeze the water samples to examine gas content. This lesson plan is useful during a unit...
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What's That?
Meant to be a simulation of a deep-sea exploration, this requires that another lesson be completed first. In that lesson, titled "Animals of the Lost City," marine biology buffs construct murals of benthic communities. In this lesson,...
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Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources
Here's a fine instructional activity on renewable and non-renewable sources of energy for your 5th graders. In it, learners list a number of natural resources on the board, then try to sort the resources into appropriate categories. This...
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Rivers and Streams
Students research the rivers, streams and water bodies of Hawaii. They read a variety of books, play Bingo with water-related terms, create and maintain water-themed journals, view videos, conduct Internet research and participate in a...
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Planting a Xeriscape Garden
Fourth graders use a plant database to discover new vocabulary associated with plants and ecosystems. Using a pile of dirt behind their school, they design a garden to make it a more enjoyable place. They print out the types of plants...
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Land Use Change Introduction
Learners discuss the major changes that have taken place in the Hudson Valley over the past 400 years. They use aerial photos to describe major trends in Dutchess County. Students view a PowerPoint presentation. They work in small groups...
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Deals on Wheels!
Students calculate monthly car payments using different rates of interest. They calculate the maximum amount that can be financed/borrowed given a preset estimated/budgeted monthly payment and determine how limited resources cause people...
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It's About Time
First, second, and third graders explore elapsed time through estimation and prediction. They work with a partner to estimate how long it will take to perform various tasks. One person uses a stop watch to time his or her partner...
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Ways Twitter Makes You a Better Writer
Practice being concise. Exercise your vocabulary. Improve your editing skills. The contention in this instructional activity is that by imposing a 140 character limit, the Twitter format actually helps improve writing skills. And of...
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Vocabulary Development and Writing
Engage pupils in practicing denotative and connotative strategies to understand particular words. They work in pairs and write a series of sentences using each word that has a positive connotation and negative connotation. Some example...
Computer Science Unplugged
Phylogenetics
Introduce your class to the concept of creating phylogenetic trees by playing a game of Telephone. Participants create a mixed-up message and through the use of distance matrices, the evolution of the message is recreated.
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Declaration of Independence
Students explore the US Constitution. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students work in pairs to select and examine amendments to the Bill of Rights. Students will identify what the amendment means, why they chose it, what it protects, and...
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Infinite Geometric Series
Eleventh graders investigate infinite geometric series. In this Algebra II lesson, 11th graders explore partial sums of geometric series, converging and diverging series, and sums of infinite geometric series. The...
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Create, Design, and Invent with Plastic
Students explore creative ways to reuse materials. In this ecology/art lesson, students create artwork using trash. Students view examples of folk art from around the world that used waste products as a main component.
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Soundtrack to War
Middle schoolers discuss the important role of music in lives of soldiers stationed in Iraq. They identify and demonstrate skills in creating compositions with limited resources, similar in concept to the soldiers viewed in the documentary.
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Rockets on a Shoestring Budget
Young scholars, operating under simulated budget constraints, build pop-rockets and launch them. Working in pairs, they complete budget worksheets and use their "Blast Off Bucks" to pay for the construction. They then redesign their...
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B-29 Frozen in Time
Students view a video clip about members of a B-29 flying group. They complete a chart while viewing the video. They work together to develop ideas to help solve the crew's problems during flight. They share their ideas with the class.
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The Teenage Single Parent
Students examine the challenges a single teenage parent faces. In groups, they research ways to positively cope with an unplanned pregnancy and design their own layette for their new baby. As a class, they discuss what it means to be...
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TRUE / FALSE: BIODIVERSITY EDITION
Twelfth graders explore issues related to biodiversity and biodiversity conservation. One person (or object) stands at one end of a trail and another at the other end, both within sight. One person/object represents "truth" the other...
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What is That White Stuff?
Fifth graders identify, through experimentation, what properties of substance are, determine what variables tested will be, identify constants and variables of experiment, conduct experiment to conclusion with measurable, recorded...
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Swing your Partner: The Basics of Square Dancing
Students perform square dancing steps. For this square dancing lesson, students view a video to learn the basic steps. Students discuss the history of the dance and perform with partners.
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Barney Bear Gets Dressed
Students identify colors and use descriptive words to create a book about a bear. In this instructional activity on using descriptive language, students listen to a story and help the teacher explain what happened. Students...