Teacher Resources

 [ American History | Ancient History | Astronomy | Botany | Butterflies | Civil War | Clouds | Drugs | Frogs |  Health & Fitness | Japan | Motion & Design | Nutrition | Owls | Water Cycle | Weather ]

American History

» American Revolution Timeline

This time line is drawn largely from the work of Richard B. Morris, in particular his Encyclopedia of American History.

» Valley Forge

An American revolution quiz about Valley Forge.

» The Loyalist Meets the Patriot

For middle and high school students.

» Jamestown Journey

Official education curriculum Web site of "America's 400th Anniversary" marking the founding of the first permanent English settlement in America at Jamestown in Virginia in 1607! Sign in and get a free account to access lesson plans, primary sources, etc.

Ancient History

» Mesopotamia Ancient History

Ultimate Mesopotamia resources for 6th grade including games, lesson plans, and quizzes.

» Ancient Indus Valley

Lesson plan about daily life in ancient India.

» Ancient Civ

Lesson plans accompany the resources offered here from the Smithsonian Institute.

» Mayan Culture

CyberGuide is part of a more comprehensive unit on folktales and/or the cultures of the Americas.

» Egypt Game

Literature-based study of the Egyptian civilization

» Aztec Folk Tales

Literature-based study of the Aztec culture

Astronomy

» Astronomy Teacher Guides

NASA's page for Educators

» Adopt an Astronomer

NASA Teaching Resources will match your class with one of their scientists. The ideas is to work with your science project into lesson plan formats that will join NASA's lesson plan pages available to all teachers.

» The Space Place

Space science in action activities and learn science facts. Classroom activities and teacher guide.

» NASA Quest

Interactive, online project from NASA. It enables teachers and students to interact with science professionals, to design inquiries, and to develop projects.

» Astronomy for Kids

This site explores the planets, constellations, and other astronomical wonders. Geared to kids. Sky Maps section gives an overview of this month's natural sky. Links to other astronomy sites, free postcards your class can send, and word search puzzles.

» Amazing Space

Learning and fun activities; Lesson plans and "teacher tips" designed for classroom use.

Botany

» Botanical Society of America

Botanical Society of America has shared member contributions of plants — very cool images. Teachers can join this organization for $10.

Butterflies

» Where Do Butterflies Come From?

Great craft project that teaches the life cycle of butterflies.

» Butterfly Farm—Costa Rica

This butterfly Farm includes great photos and a "Student Guide to Butterflies," which is a very good teacher resource but too difficult for students.

Civil War

» Civil War Lesson Plan

Lesson plan—students can post their projects.

» Civil War Unit

Comprehensive unit on the Civil War.

Clouds

» Clouds

Ten lessons for elementary students that integrates internet use. Identify types of clouds, make weather predictions, reinforce water cycle concepts. Uses literature and graphic organizers.

Drugs

» Teacher Resource: AntiDrug and Alcohol

TeachersGuide is a drug education resource, developed by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. We provide teachers with ideas and resources for incorporating drug prevention messages into the classroom.

» Teacher Resource: AntiSmoking

PBS Kids site for grades 3-7. Students will need to make health decisions related to their health habits. Smoking is a habit that often begins in early adolescence. According to the CDC, smoking is the number one cause of lung disorders and contributes to the onset of many diseases.

» Science, Tobacco, and You

Designed for fourth and fifth grade students and teachers. This site contains a multi-disciplinary unit combining media literacy (adsmarts) with science and psychology.

» Mind over Matter

Produced by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institutes of Health, this site explains the effects of drug abuse on the body and the brain for kids in fifth grade and above. The Teachers Guide gives additional background and classroom activities.

Frogs

» Frogs

Separate lesson plans and resources for building a theme unit on frogs for primary, elementary, and middle schools.

» Frog Metamorphosis

Printable page with frog life cycle—students can color it—text included.

Health & Fitness

» Health & Fitness, Preschool through Grade 12

This PBS TeacherSource provides preK - 12 health and fitness information. To view lesson plans and activities, select a grade range and topic.

Japan

» Lesson Plans On Japan

Lesson plans from the National Clearinghouse for U.S.—Japan Studies.

» Holidays and Festivals

Calendar of holidays and festivals in Japan. Includes links to other Japanese resources.

» Puppetry in Japan

Webquest on Japan including puppetry.

» Cranes for Peace

Resource center for Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes, but has other resources useful for teaching about Japan.

» Origami

Thinkquest created by middle school students about origami—includes history and symbols, instructions on how to fold, plus quizzes and online experiments.

Motion and Design

» A World in Motion

Order a free teaching kit with multiple resources on force, motion, gravity, levers, inclined planes. One curriculum kit is provided free of charge to any elementary teacher that gets the commitment of a volunteer engineer. For grades 4 to 6.

Nutrition

» Nutrition Savvy?

Check your nutrition savvy on this Dole Web site. Extensive resources and information for kids and teachers. Includes curriculum ideas, activities and lessons.

» Nutrition Expedition

Nutrition links for teachers; students can choose from three Internet research challenges.

» Healthy Eating Habits

Lessons, worksheets, and activities for different grade levels.

» Center for Science in the Pubic Interest

Nutrition quizzes, health and nutrition activities and facts

Owls

» Owl Unit

An owl resource developed by a teacher. Integrated unit using owl pellets. Incorporates science, writing, and literature for third graders.

Water Cycle

» Lesson Plans

Set of lesson plans on evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and the water cycle. Visit the "Home Page" of the weather unit for more cross-curricular lesson plans.

Weather

» Make a Windsock

Four ways to make a windsock to chart daily wind movement.