Our collection of lesson plans and supporting documents have been developed collaboratively by teachers and Museum staff. We are currently updating the display of online resources. These materials are available by request using the form below.
Biodiversity and Global Change – Lobster Die-off!
The massive lobster die-off in the Long Island Sound in 1999 was the inspiration for this 2007 draft event-based science lesson plan. Developed with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Bay and Paul Foundations.
Grade Level: Middle & High School
PDF, 102 pages
Biodiversity and Human Health – Vector-Borne Disease
This lesson plan explores 2 vector-borne diseases in Connecticut—Lyme disease and the West Nile virus—and the ticks and mosquitoes, respectively, that spread them. It uses the event-based science instructional model: students become the scientists, their work is a solution to a real problem, and the teacher acts as coach, guide, and advisor. Designed to be taught in 4 weeks. Developed through a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Institutes of Health.
Grade Level: K-12
PDF, 100 pages, with supplementary materials, illustrated
Climate and Emerging Infections—Vector Borne Disease Investigations
This standards-based STEM lesson plan investigates the influence of climate change on the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and malaria. These 3 units can each stand alone and are designed to be taught in this order. If outside of sequence, teachers may need to add supplemental materials. Funded by a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Institutes of Health.
- Climate Change and Vector-Borne Disease Unit: Climate parameters such as rising temperatures and increased precipitation are affecting mosquitoes and disease transmission worldwide.
- Pathogens and Vectors Unit: Climate changes affect the life cycles of pathogens, causing faster replication that leads to increased transmission, and also affect the vectors for pathogens.
- Disease Transmission Unit: Social and economic factors, in addition to climate variables, are critical in efforts to reduce the spread of disease.
Grade Level: Middle & High School
PDF, illustrated
Collaborative on Global Change—Migration in the Balance
This lesson draft is only available as individual files. Accompanying kits of specimens and materials can be borrowed from the Museum. Contact us with requests and questions. Made possible by a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Developed collaboratively with Connecticut teachers.
Grade Level: Elementary School, adaptable to other levels
MS Word files, illustrated
Earth Sciences—Connecticut Geology Guide
This lesson covers major geologic forces that shaped the land in Connecticut: tectonic processes, glaciation, weathering, and erosion. Designed to be taught in 3 weeks. Made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Compiled and written collaboratively with Connecticut teachers.
Grade Level: Middle & High School
Slideshow and PDFs, illustrated
Earth Sciences—CT Rocks! The Geology of Connecticut
Expert geologists lead students through geologic sites throughout the state of Connecticut in this unique, interactive series of virtual field investigations. Students record observations to answer the question, “What happened in the past to cause the geologic features you see today?”
Grade Level: Middle & High School
Website with multimedia
Event-Based Teacher Collaborative—Science Units
Invaders! Impacts of Invasive Species on Food Webs and Ecosystems
Grade Level: K-12
Event-Based Science Basics
These lessons were designed by teachers and museum educators through the Yale Peabody Museum’s Event-Based Teacher Collaborative. Many units have accompanying kits of specimens and materials that can be borrowed from the Museum. Contact us with requests and questions. Made possible by a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
MS Word files and PDFs
Indigenous Peoples of the Americas
Maya Cultures Across Time
American Histories: Native Peoples and Europeans in the Americas
The Indigenous Atlantic: Encounters, Exchanges, and Endurance
Developed with Connecticut teachers at Yale’s 2012–2014 summer institutes for high school teachers jointly sponsored by Programs in International Educational Resources at the MacMillan Center, the Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies, and the Yale Peabody Museum. Supported by a Title VI National Resource Center Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Made possible by generous support from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations.
Grade Level: K-12
Individual PDFs, slide shows, 000 pages, illustrated, some materials in Spanish
Plant Sciences—World of Plants
Activities about basic botany and plant ecology that are linked to Connecticut State science standards. Developed with Connecticut elementary school teachers. A teaching kit is available to borrow for classroom use. Made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Grade Level: Grades 2, 3, 4
Strength in Numbers—Measuring and Analyzing Variation in Asian Shore Crabs
Dimorphism in Asian Shore Crabs
Morphological Variation in Littorine Snails
These classroom laboratory exercises teach the basics of understanding morphological variation, a key way in which scientists evaluate the distinctiveness of populations. Teachers can prompt students to think about what ecological, environmental, or evolutionary controls may be influencing morphological variation in populations. Read through the directions and the slide presentations for an overview.
Grade Level: K-12
Slideshow, spreadsheet, JPGs, PDF
Las Artes de México
The 10 lesson units of this standalone curriculum, based on the 2008 special exhibition Las Artes de México at the Yale Peabody Museum, can be used as standalone teaching materials.
Grade Level: High School
PDF, 41 pages
Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas
Grade Level: Grade 4 through High School
Science Curriculum
PDF, 101 pages, illustrated
Social Studies Curriculum
These science and social studies curricula, designed to accompany the 2003 special exhibition Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas at the Yale Peabody Museum, can be used as standalone teaching materials. Include lesson plans, handouts, and student guides with teacher keys.
PDF, 86 pages, illustrated
The Yale Peabody Museum occasionally runs or hosts half-day to full-week programs for educators that cover a wide variety of subjects and research topics.
No programs are currently scheduled. Contact us for information.
Office of School & Teacher Engagement
+1 203 432 3775
peabody.education@yale.edu
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