Cornell University
Exploring Rocks and Minerals
Investigate the properties of rocks and minerals through a rockin' hands-on activity. Learners test rocks for various properties and, using a guide, attempt to identify different samples. They use various properties including hardness,...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
DNA Profiling Activity
Everyone loves a good mystery ... can your class actually solve one? Partnered pupils take on the role of forensic investigators during a three-part activity focusing on DNA evidence processing. Learners discover the methods used to...
Curated OER
Newton's Third Law
Learners use inquiry and observation to explore Newton's third law of motion: for every action there is a reaction. In this physics lesson, students rotate through six stations set up with materials and picture directions illustrating an...
Curated OER
Cosmology: Power of Ten
Students explore the story of the universe. After viewing the video, "The Power of Ten," they discuss the concept of cosmology as it relates to the universe and their own personal narrative. They journal their thoughts and feelings on...
Curated OER
How Do We Generate a Large Amount of a Specific DNA Sample?
Students investigate the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique that is used to create larger amounts of a gene. They watch and discuss a PowerPoint presentation, explore a website, and write a report listing the materials needed to...
Curated OER
Arts & Entertainment/Production Marketing
High schoolers demonstrate a comprehension and a tasteful appreciation of the creative and performing arts. They seek, experiments, and shares reactions of different forms of art. Students analyze and reflect on others' work. They...
Curated OER
Using "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears" to Teach Cause and Effect
Students discuss cause and effect relationships and the chain reaction involved before listening to the story "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears". Students create flow charts to show the chain reactions of causes and effects in the...
Curated OER
HAMLET HOOK
Students their personal reactions to issues of family relationships in light of the the plot, characterization, and themes of the play. They analyze the characters of Hamlet on an emotional level not just intellectual.
Curated OER
The Gulf Oil Spill in the Classroom
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students investigate the media response to the Gulf oil spill as they examine live streaming video, interpret data, and share their personal...
Curated OER
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
High schoolers, after reading and discussing, "The Metamorphosis," by Franz Kafka, explain the symbolism of Gregor's metamorphosis moving beyond a literal view of "he turned into a bug" into the idea that...
Curated OER
Physical vs. Chemical
In this physical vs. chemical change worksheet, high schoolers answer 10 questions about identifying chemical and physical changes. They identify exothermic and endothermic reactions and the parts of a chemical equation. Students answer...
Curated OER
Home Living / Daily Living: Nail Care
Nails can get really dirty really fast. Prepare your special education class for life on their own by introducing them to a regular nail care routine. They discuss why it is important to care for your nails and practice washing,...
Curated OER
Build Mastery: Visualization
What do you see? Young reader tap into the visualization process as they listen to or read a fiction story and fill out a graphic organizer. Model this first with a think-aloud, showing scholars how you visualize a familiar story. For...
Curriculum Corner
Editable Exit Tickets
Here is a resource with 28 different exit ticket formats that can be used across the curriculum. Opportunities for exit assessments are endless with various prompts such as, "2 facts I learned today are..." or "I need extra help with..."...
Overcoming Obstacles
Making a Choice
The big idea in the last lesson in the Decision-Making module is that responsible decision-making is a process rather than a knee-jerk reaction. Participants practice the five steps in the decision-making process they have learned in the...
Teach Engineering
Wizardry and Chemistry
No need to go to Ollivanders to buy a magic wand. In the chemistry lab activity, young magicians mix chemicals to create combustible compounds. By applying these compounds to an iron wire, they create magic wands.
Curated OER
Sports Personalities in Advertising
During a series of four activities, class members examine and deconstruct advertising that features famous athletes. They determine target audiences, analyze ads, explore "emotional climate," and role play a meeting between a sports...
Curated OER
Adopted Dog Goes Home
High schoolers examine the pet victims of Hurricane Katrina. After reading a story about one dog who was misplaced, they write about the situation and their reactions to it. They share their reactions to the class and discuss other...
Curated OER
Outsourcing City Hall
Students examine how some city halls around the country are using private companies to run them. After watching a video, they write a reaction paper to some part of it. They write an article for their school newspaper discussing whether...
Curated OER
Ice Cream in a Bag
Here is a good version of this classic chemistry activity. Learners are given a simple recipe for how to make home-made ice cream by putting all of the ingredients into a ziploc bag. Before doing the activity, I would recommend having a...
Curated OER
Goldilocks Revisited
Second graders investigate the story of "The Three Bears" while focusing on the character of Goldilocks. They answer key questions that are focused upon the development of positive feelings and reactions. Students discuss the possible...
Curated OER
Bursting Stereotypes
Ninth graders discuss the importance of respecting others. After popping balloons, they use paper strips to write words representing stereotypes for men and women. In groups, they share their list and identify those that could be used...
Curated OER
Final Papers: Writing Prompts for Evaluating Team and Individual Performance
To be used in connection with a group project or at the end of a unit, this handout contains two essay writing prompts. The first prompt asks a group of learners to work together to evaluate their groups' performance as well as each...
Curated OER
Symbols: A Reaction to Their Power
Students explore the concept of symbolism. In this social studies lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources regarding the use of symbols in the past and the impact of symbols in today's culture.