Through this series of three lessons, students will gain an understanding of the basics of flight. They will learn about the four forces of flight and practice their observation skills through a number of fun experiments. In addition, students will look at aircraft design and the importance of streamlining. Each lesson comes complete with clear instructions and supplemental discussion and explanations. Also provided are the accompanying student handouts and a resource list.

Excellent interactive learning site that features portraits, quotes, and facts about each U.S. President from George Washington to George W. Bush.

Meet the first latina in space Dr. Ellen Ochoa, presented here by Smithsonian in a short biography and descriptions of her missions.

Smithsonian in the Classroom presents "Introduction to the Nature Journal." Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students will practice and develop their skills of writing observations and making hypotheses. This amazing teaching guide comes complete with background information, opening discussion questions, and vibrant pictures and examples of nature journals. Also included along with the detailed lesson plans are student handouts and a listing of the curriculum standards addressed.

A wonderful three lesson unit that examines the art of Japanese screen paintings. Following some valuable information on the culture and country student will have an opportunity to create their own screen.

Students learn to view Japanese paintings, they make a screen, and they learn about the culture of Japan. There are three lesson plans and all allow all needed materials to be downloaded.

A Smithsonian website plus lesson plans on the art of landscape painting. Includes details on landscape painting techniques to create the illusion of depth and space as well as information on four landscape artists.

With this resource, teachers can select the most appropriate academic level and download a lesson plan that contains images, Word documents and PDF resources for teaching about the history of black Americans in aviation. Excellent resource for Black History Month. Requires Adobe Reader.

Use this activity as an introduction to adaptations. Students will view video clips of birds and formulate their own observations and explanations for the different types of bird beaks and how they are used.

Come meet Benjamin Franklin and some of his scientific friends. Learn about them through the eyes of early American portraiture. Following the introduction are three great lesson plans for teachers of language arts, science, and visual arts.

This site is an introduction plus a series of three lesson plans that explore Franklin's portraits plus aspects of his work in science and writing.

This extensive site chronicles the migration of people throughout history. The migration of people, objects, ideas, and cultures are explored and the impact of such moves discussed.

Through this series of three lessons, students will gain an understanding of the basics of mineral science. In their investigation they will also work through the scientific process as they practice their observation skills, form hypotheses, and make conclusions. Teachers and students alike will love the easy to understand background information and vibrant photos. Each lesson comes complete with clear learning objectives and instructions, as well as supplemental discussion and explanations. Also provided are the accompanying student handouts and a resource list.

Teachers can download this teaching package that discusses the limits on animal size, both big and small, and what effect size has on animals. Students will enjoy the hands-on activities described in the lessons. Teachers will appreciate the student handouts provided, as well as the list of resources.

Smithsonian in the Classroom presents The Music in Poetry. Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package for exploring the rhythms in poetry. Includes background information, lesson extensions, student handouts, examples of student work, and a listing of the curriculum standards addressed.

Interactive map of the world in which students select a continent and begin exploring using online resources from the Smithsonian Institute.

Students examine dolls from the online collections at the Smithsonian and connect them with the correct cultures. Includes lots of background information about Native American clothing and how the way each cultural group dresses reflects the environment in which they live. Dollmakers also talk about the processes they go through to make the dolls.

Smithsonian Institution presents ?Ocean Planet: Interdisciplinary Marine Science Activities?. Through this series of six interdisciplinary lessons, students will look at such things as the organisms in different marine ecosystems, the many different products we get from our seas, and the effects of pollution on our oceans. Teachers and students alike will love the easy to understand background information and vibrant photos. Each lesson comes complete with clear learning objectives and instructions, as well as supplemental resources and student handouts.

A lesson unit on pollination. Includes background information, lessons and activity pages. One handout is in Spanish.

Smithsonian Education presents a series of three lesson plans whose focus is plants and animals in their role as partners in pollination. Each lesson comes complete with clear learning objectives, materials list, subjects covered, detailed procedures, and downloadable accompanying activity sheets. A list of additional resources is also provided.