Students identify the biomes of the Earth and their characteristics. They discuss their favorite seasons and the weather. They share their favorites with the class.

Second graders investigate how to help a city building remain cooler on the inside. They create a rooftop garden in order to shield the building and lower the internal temperature. The garden is meant to replace the black tar paper that...

Art and architecture go hand-in-hand. Kids watch clips from the Hayo Miyazaki film Spirited Away to better understand Japanese customs and architecture. The discussion questions included are very good, and will help you lead the class in...

Students use encyclopedias, science reference magazines, books, and other media to obtain information related to science concepts to complete a biographical sketch about a pollutant. They describe the six common pollutants and how they...

Students identify that the atmosphere traps heat and makes the surface of the Earth warm enough for life and recognize that air pollution can cause a rise in temperature and ecological decline. They name human activities that can cause...

Middle schoolers describe how automobile emissions pollute the air and make inferences and predictions about traffic and air pollution. They organize the data into charts and tables for interpretation and select a reasonable solution...

Middle schoolers take turns reading the electric meter six times a day at regularly scheduled intervals. They figure out the amount of electricity used and then determine the total cost of electricity for the week.

Pupils explore Mount Shasta and various locations on Mars to examine ways geographical data can be represented. They study topographic maps and translating data from 2-Dimensions to 3-Dimensions.

Learners examine different types of landscapes through a geographer's eye. Using a city block or a suburb, they organize their thoughts and take notes to survey a site. They discuss what they have seen and write about how looking at...

Students review what they already know about birds. Using the internet, they discover major issues involved with birds in Illinois. In groups, they determine what they can do to help them and contact a local agency.

Students measure their shadows early in the morning, record direction of shadow, make marks in ground with chalk or tape, measure with ruler, and record results. Students repeat process at noon, and then later in afternoon. Students...

Learners examine the life of bats in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the history of the bat in Illinois and describe the way they find prey by using echolocation. They report their findings to the class and answer any...

It's amazing what you can do to reinforce math skills while leading an egg hunt! Learners of all ages will benefit from playing this simple game.

Students create colorful stained-glass Autumn window decorations. They shave crayons with scissors, melt the crayons in wax paper with an iron, and cut out a leaf pattern to display on windows.

Learners heighten awareness and mastery of the subtle factors of drawing technique. Activities focus solely on the human figure, particularly the face. students list 5 of elements of light and shadow which affect portrayal of character...

Second graders use their senses to explore a prairie or imaginary prairie. They draw pictures to represent the five senses and discover how an artist describes non-visual sensations in a visual way.

Students carefully observe prairie plants and record their observations in a science journal. They examine the root systems of grasses and flowers and surmise how these plants can grow together on the prairie.

Examine two works of art and use these pieces as inspiration for dialogues. The whole class discusses Renoir's Lunch at the Restaurant Fournaise and Toulouse-Lautrec's At the Moulin Rouge. Then, in groups of either three or ten, pupils...

Students reinforce the geographic location of the states of the U.S.A.

Ninth graders take note of the ways in which word choice, rhythm, language and narrative voice, as well as point of view in a poem can be used to evoke a time and place. They use their insights to create a poem of their own.

Students create a mural that expresses their feelings and patriotism to honor the memory of those who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. They explore creative ideas to express their feelings on this subject through art or writing.

Students discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track animals. They participate in an hands-on activity in which they examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat" left by...

Young scholars observe a variety of sounds which can be heard within their schoolyard habitat by sitting quietly by themselves for five minutes, listening, and then recording the sounds around them by drawing them.