Reading Through History
The Federalist Papers: Federalist Paper No. 51
How did Federalists feel about the federal government? Learners search for the answers in the Federalist Paper No. 51, which discusses the powers of the presidency. Then, they answer various questions to test for their comprehension of...
Curated OER
Principles of Flight: Flying Paper Airplanes
Students investigate ways to enhance an object's flying ability. In this model construction instructional activity, students construct two paper airplanes, one of which is twice as big as the first. Students compare and...
Curated OER
Piles of Paper
Track how much paper their class uses in a week. They will pile their used paper into one place, each day the pile is measured. They make predictions about how much paper they would collect in a month, then recycle the paper.
Curated OER
Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering: Build a Paper Airplane
Students brainstorm what it is like to fly on an airplane and discuss the parts of a plane. Students construct a paper plane of their own, decorate it, have a competition, and discuss the importance of each part of a plane and the role...
Curated OER
Exploring Aerodynamics
Students explore aerodynamics. In this aerodynamics lesson, students study the flight patterns of three paper airplanes and discover the underlying principles of aerodynamics. Resources and grade level modifications are present.
PBS
Frame Yourself: Area and Perimeter
Elementary schoolers are arranged in pairs and view the video Math Works: Measurement: The Difference Between Perimeter and Area. They discuss any prior knowledge they have of the term perimeter and then brainstorm together what the...
EngageNY
Making Scale Drawings Using the Ratio Method
Is that drawn to scale? Capture the artistry of geometry using the ratio method to create dilations. Mathematicians use a center and ratio to create a scaled drawing. They then use a ruler and protractor to verify measurements.
Curated OER
My Foot and the Standard Foot
Young mathematicians put one foot in front of the other as they learn how to measure length in an elementary math lesson. Using paper cutouts of their own feet, children measure classroom objects as they discover the importance of...
Curated OER
Lesson 2: Measurement Tools
Elementary schoolers examine the uses of rulers, scales, and measuring cups. They determine the criteria for the use of each tool and visit different areas of school to find items that can be measured with these tools. Everyone takes...
Curated OER
Measuring to the Nearest Foot
Second graders measure and record the length of five different objects around the room. They watch as the teacher measures items using a ruler. A ruler is a foot long. Everyone listens and watches as the teacher continues to teach that a...
Curated OER
Paper Bridge
Students view a video about bridges. They create their own bridge out of paper and share it with the class. They create an advertisement for a bridge shown in the film.
Curated OER
Paper Parachutes
Students participate in a simulation of a parachute-jump competition by making paper parachutes and then dropping them towards a target on the floor. They measure the distance from the point where the paper parachute lands compared to...
Curated OER
Toilet Paper Solar System
Students create a model of the distances of the planets in the solar system using sheets of toilet paper and markers. Generally accepted orbital parameters are applied.
Curated OER
Chinese New Year: Paper Lanterns Lesson Plan
First graders examine a typical Chinese New Year celebration. As a class, they identify the traditions and values used and discuss how they are unique to China. To end the lesson, they take measurements to make their own paper lantern...
Curated OER
Paper Folding to Make Cubes
Examine patterns of figures composed of six-squares and predict which of the twenty presented could be folded to make a cube. They then fold large-scale patterns of these figures to confirm their hunches.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Albedo, Reflectivity, and Absorption
What is reflectivity, and what does it have to do with the Earth's climate? As reflectivity is measured by albedo, scientists can gather information on Earth's energy balances that relate to global warming or climate change. Budding...
Curated OER
Investigation: Sorting and Classifying
Fifth graders explore geometry by creating shapes with construction paper. In this shape characteristics instructional activity, 5th graders identify the different attributes that make up specific shapes and create them using...
Curated OER
Comparing and Ordering Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals
Create your own fraction kits by folding and labeling paper using fraction vocabulary. Learners then work in groups to use these in comparing and sequencing both whole numbers and fractions. They also create unit cubes and develop an...
Curated OER
Fraction City
Welcome to Fraction City! This is an incredibly interactive and fun way to teach properties of fractions, and reaches multiple learning styles. Scholars create "blocks" by folding strips of paper in various increments (thirds, fourths,...
Curated OER
Exploring Height with Abe Lincoln
Learners examine a life-size count out of Abraham Lincoln to get a visual comparison of their height and Lincoln's. They work in pairs and trace each other's body and measure from head to toe in inches using a ruler. They then subtract...
California Academy of Science
Snakes and Lizards Length and Movement
Snakes and lizards can be very tiny or very long. Your class will get out their rulers to see just how big snakes and lizards can be. They discuss several different reptiles by reading the included animal fact cards, then each small...
Curated OER
How Many Noses Are in Your Arm?
Middle schoolers apply concept of ratio and proportion to determine length of Statue of Liberty's torch-bearing arm. They view video of Statue of Liberty, determine how long statue's arm would be if its nose measures four feet six...
Curated OER
Putting the Pieces Together
Children explore fractions on a conceptual level by making individual quilt squares. Each student works with small paper swatches to divide them into pieces that represent a given fraction. The class is then separated into groups and...
101 Questions
Trashketball
Take a shot using a lesson on volume! Young learners watch a video showing a trashcan filling with paper balls. The task is to calculate the number of paper balls that will fit in the can. Pupils use volume calculations to make a...