Virginia Department of Education
Integers: Addition and Subtraction
Young mathematicians construct their own understanding of integers with an inquiry-based math lesson plan. Using colored chips to represent positive and negative numbers, children model a series of addition and subtraction problems as...
Education Development Center
Micro-Geography of the Number Line
Young mathematicians dive into the number line to discover decimals and how the numbers infinitely get smaller in between. They click the zoom button a few times and learn that the number line doesn't just stop at integers. Includes a...
Curated OER
Cold Hard Facts? What Inquiring Minds Will Know -- Inquiry-Based Ice Investigations
Pupils are introduced to the concepts of perimter, diameter, circumference and measurements. In groups, they complete two worksheets in which they determine if the ice dimensions make a difference in the way it floats. They discuss...
Mascil Project
Circular Pave-Stones Backyard
Pack the instructional activity into your plans. Young mathematicians learn about packing and optimization with the context of circular paving stones. They use coins to model the paving stones, and then apply knowledge of circles and...
Curated OER
Ornithology and Real World Science
Double click that mouse because you just found an amazing lesson! This cross-curricular Ornithology lesson incorporates literature, writing, reading informational text, data collection, scientific inquiry, Internet research, art, and...
Curated OER
Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson
Students discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers. In this environmental lesson plan, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on the...
Curated OER
Lines and Angles with K'NEX
Here is a geometry lessonwhich invites learners to create models using their knowledge of lines, segments, rays, and angles. This lesson reinforces geometric vocabulary and concepts through practical application, it also includes...
Curated OER
Mathematical Jeopardy
Middle schoolers use the popular game of Jeopardy to explore different mathematical concepts. They are highly engaged with the use of technology for this instructional activity. They function using higher-order thinking skills in order...
Curated OER
Fill the Number Grid
Patterns emerge as the class works together to fill in a number grid. This whole group activity is designed to make all learners feel successful, and ultimately turns into a lesson on the least common multiple.
Curated OER
Density - An Intrinsic Property
Learners discover the property of density while participating in a lab exercise. In this scientific measuring lesson, pupils utilize a scale to measure the density of different metal materials. They document their work and present their...
Curated OER
Questioning NASA
Space science and math collide in this inquiry that investigates launching times for antacid-tablet rockets! Upper elementary or middle school learners collect data as they launch these mini rockets. They apply concepts of place value...
Mascil Project
Parachute Food Drop
Drop a perfect project into your lesson plans. Groups use different building materials to create models of parachutes for food drops. After testing out their prototypes, they make improvements to their designs.
Curated OER
A Frog's Life Story
Students investigate the lives of frogs by completing several worksheets. In this biology instructional activity, students discover the life cycle of a frog from tadpole to death. Students complete frog life cycle puzzle as well as...
Curated OER
Thinking About the Environment: Where Are Our Forests?
Students investigate our lack of forests by examining population. In this deforestation lesson, students research a list of the continents, their populations, and remaining forest area. Students discuss why forests are disappearing and...
Curated OER
Investigating the Probability
Students investigate probability using coins and dice. They collect data, graph, organize and interpret data. They predict, describe, compare, compute and draw conclusions based on what they observe and record.
Curated OER
Cross That Bridge
Students create paper bridges. In this geometry and architecture lesson, groups use legal paper and paper clips to design a bridge that will hold 100 pennies. Links to mini-lessons exploring stability of different geometric figures and...
Curated OER
Don't Flip Out Over the Metric System
Students identify the most appropriate metric prefix to use. They describe the usefulness of a system based on tens. Students compare the metric system to the American system of measurement. They develop a metric flip book to use a...
Curated OER
Circle Graphs
Sixth graders interpret, create, and display data in a circle graph. In this circle graph lesson plan, 6th graders use a compass, protractors, pizza boxes, and more to create a circle graph and analyze the data they put into it.
Curated OER
Kites: Patang - The Indian Fighter Kite
Students investigate the history of fighter kites and build their own. In this aeronautics lesson, students discover how other countries utilize fighter kites and where they originated. Students create their own fighter kites in class...
Curated OER
Radiation Reassessed
Students investigate the dangers of radiation by exploring recent nuclear tragedies. In this scientific debate lesson plan, students define the idea of radiation "half life" and determine if low doses of radiation are truly damaging to...
Curated OER
Does Weight Affect Drag?
Students investigate how weight affects a parachute's rate of fall. In this investigative activity students test parachutes, average results and conclude what makes a faster descent.
Curated OER
The Tale of the Feral - Care and Multiplication of Feral Cats
Pupils differentiate between a feral cat and a domesticated cat. In this cat lesson plan, students use the scientific method, calculate averages, solve story problems, and learn how a caretaker can help a feral colony live safely.
Curated OER
Mass vs. Weight
Students explore physical science by conducting a measurement experiment. In this mass lesson, students identify the differences between mass and weight and define a list of other vocabulary terms. Students utilize electronic scales and...
Curated OER
Draw an Inch, Walk a Mile
Learners work in small groups to solve the problems presented. The main project, mapping the classroom, use these discussions to collaborate in creating a tangible demonstration of their understanding.