Resource Library

This teacher page, produced by the Energy Information Administration, provides activities for using Energy Kids as a resource to teach students about energy in a fun and interactive way. The website includes lesson plans, field trips, a career corner, and a teacher guide. The guide provides Language Arts, Math, Performing Arts, Science and Social Studies extension activities by age levels.

The Medicine Chest is a complication of multidisciplinary classroom lessons, sample stewardship activities and background information for teachers and high school students on how the improper disposal of unwanted medicines can be harmful to people, pets and the environment. Alligns with Illinois and Indiana state standards.

In this lesson plan from Discovery Education, students discuss the novel Moby Dick and reflect on what makes a hero tragic. The lesson includes a student debate of whether Captain Ahab was a tragic hero and reach a class decision about whether Captain Ahab fits the definition.

In this very hands-on lesson, students will learn about dendrochronology (the study of tree rings to answer ecological questions about the recent past) and come up with conclusions as to what possible climatic conditions might affect tree growth in their region.

This activity guide from the Shedd Aquarium provides teachers with a resource for incorporating the study of aquatic science, and specifically coral reefs, into their existing curricula. The guide is appropriate for grades 3-5 and aligns with Illinois Learning Standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Science as well as National Science Education Standards.

The Finding My Forest Curriculum provides educators hands-on activities for grades 3-8 to help students discover and relate to public forests and lands in their community. The guide includes four lessons to help students build a lifetime of active and thoughtful engagement with forests and other natural spaces.

Students will explore the Native American views on our natural environment as well as contemporary views on the environment. They will also become familiar with the many uses of wood as a natural resource. This lesson is best suited for grades 7-12 and adheres to Pennsylvania State Science Standards.

This activity guide is designed to provide teachers with a resource for incorporating the study of aquatic science, and specifically penguins, into their existing curricula. The guide is appropriate for grades K-3 and adheres to Illinois Learning Standards and National Science Education Standards.

In this lesson, students will explore how maple sugaring began. Through an in-class demonstration, they will experience the ways pioneers and Indians produced sugar. Through stories and hands-on learning, they will come to appreciate the importance of maple sugaring in the pioneer culture. This lesson is best suited for grades K-3 and adheres to Pennsylvania State Science Standards.

This printable activity book, developed by Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency, includes ten activities on energy use and conservation, including crossword puzzles, a Green Audit, brainstorming activities and simple calculations. Although written for a Canadian audience, the information is useful for American students, as well.