Curated OER
Nothing But Problems
Here is a fabulous lesson on problem solving in the mathematical world. In it, third and fourth graders get lots of great coaching on how to approach word problems, and how to best find a solution. They watch an episode of Reading...
Reardon Problem Solving Gifts
Teaching Problem Solving Strategies in the 5-12 Curriculum
Address any kind of math concept or problem with a series of problem-solving strategies. Over 12 days of different activities and increasing skills, learners practice different ways to solve problems, check their answers, and reflect...
Curated OER
Finding Problems In A Story
Young scholars categorize information into a problem/solving chart and examine the value of using a diary. In this problem solving and diary lesson, students read portions of Dear Mr. Henshaw, while they investigate the importance of...
Curated OER
The Monkey's Paw
In this reading comprehension worksheet, learners complete a variety of activities which demonstrate understanding of the book The Monkey's Paw .
Curated OER
Gathering Data to Problem Solve
Students, while using reading and writing strategies (subheads, prediction, skim, details, drawing inferences, etc,), solve math problems that involve gathering and representing data (addition, subtraction, multiplication). They practice...
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section Four: How Can We Protect Biodiversity?
Look into the future with a lesson plan on biodiversity and natural habitats. Learners read articles about different perspectives when it comes to planning future development, and decide which angle is the highest priority in a group...
Curated OER
Math: Navigating the World Around Me
Young mathematicians research and discuss real world math word problems and ways in which they apply math concepts in their everyday lives. They create a storyboard of a math word problem from which they create a slide for a multi-media...
Illustrative Mathematics
Voting for Three, Variation 1
This is an opportunity for young mathematicians to apply reasoning to solve real-world problems with ratios. Even though there are three candidates for class president, students will only consider two at a time, making the first problem...
Anti-Defamation League
Identity-Based Bullying
What is identity? What is bullying? What is identity-based bullying? After discussing these questions as a class, pupils engage in partner discussions before participating in a small group activity to act out bullying scenarios. Then,...
Curated OER
Asda in a Pickle After Rat Found in Gherkins
Practice reading and speaking through a simulation activity in which learners role-play as store managers and angry customers. The class also reviews present and past-perfect tenses. Extensions and a print-friendly handout are provided.
Curated OER
Making Inferences about Problem and Solution
Students use unfamiliar objects to make inferences. In this making inferences instructional activity, students make guesses about what an item does. Students brainstorm together and make lists of ideas and write them on index cards. The...
Curated OER
St. Patrick’s Day
Combine math, creative writing, and leprechauns in a fun St. Patrick's Day activity! Using a bag of gold coins and marshmallows, kids write a math story about a leprechaun that includes a multi-step equation to solve.
Curated OER
Predicting a Solution to a Problem
Students explore story structure. In this story structure literacy lesson, students listen to the story Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges, stopping at points to identify a problem and predict possible solutions which are then written on...
Curated OER
Physical Science: The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Explore science through problem solving and learning how to solve the problem of the story "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Young investigators will learn how to construct a model and design a solution. They will also keep records of their...
Curated OER
It's Not All Greek to Me
Learners find out the meaning for prefixes used in math vocabulary. By dissecting words used in everyday math, they figure out what the prefix indicates and what the word means. A variety of well-organized worksheets and activities...
Curated OER
Retell the "Tail" of the Tale
Students explore story structure. In this multicultural literacy lesson, students discuss common elements of folk tales and then listen to the story Tiger and the Big Wind: A Tale from Africa. Students identify the problem and solution...
Curated OER
Fortune Cookies Motivate Writing
Fortune cookies are used as motivation for a story. In this creative writing lesson, young writers review the six traits process. They discuss interesting characters, setting, problem and solution in a story. Original stories based on...
Curated OER
Stargirl Lesson
Students read a short novel while filling in a graphic organizer for problem and solution. In this sociology lesson, students use a prior knowledge and relate the text to theirselves and to think about their own need to fit in versus...
For the Teachers
Cause and Effect Matrix
Study cause and effect in both literature and informational text with a lesson designed for several different reading levels. After kids review the concept of cause and effect, they read an article or story and note the causes and...
Think Like A Programmer! Puzzlets Cork the Volcano Curriculum
Curated OER
Creative Problem Solving
Young scholars respond to a situation presented about the wetlands. In this wetlands lesson, students understand the various opinions over the use of areas in the wetlands. Young scholars complete a worksheet using critical thinking...
Curated OER
Cattle Drive
Students explore cattle drives. In this United States history and letter writing lesson, students write a letter to their family predicting possible problems that were encountered by participants in cattle drives. Students design brands,...
Curated OER
Be A Perfect Person in Just Three Days- Lesson 7
Students review a book. In this reading comprehension instructional activity, students take a vocabulary and comprehension test. Students complete a book review activity of the book Be A Perfect Person In Just Three Days, complete a...
Illustrative Mathematics
Gifts from Grandma, Variation 3
There are three money word problems in this activity, each one is set in the same context. The first asks what was the total amount grandma spent, the second how many grandchildren grandma has, and the third asks how much grandma spent...