Overcoming Obstacles
Problem Solving in School
Scholars learn how to be part of the solution to problems high schoolers face. After identifying problems at their school, participants list cues that indicate each problem, note campus resources available to help solve the problem, and...
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Retell the "Tail" of the Tale
Learners explore story structure. For 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. Learners identify the problem and solution...
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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...
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Social Problems
An adult ESL class brainstorm what they believe to be the major problems in Namibia. In groups, they use the list of problems and put them into the order of the most critical and the reasons why. They research possible solutions and...
Teach Engineering
News Flash!
Extra, extra, read all about it! Scholars research information on endangered species and produce a news report to share their findings with the rest of the class. In groups, they then consider engineering solutions to problems on habitat...
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Cattle Drive
Students explore cattle drives. For 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...
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Treating Substance Abuse Problems
Students conduct an open discussion on the legal, social, and health consequences associated with substance abuse. Working in pairs, students discuss the effects of substance abuse and brainstorm possible solutions. Independently,...
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Problem Solving for Leaders
Students identify and explore ways leaders solve problems. In this leadership instructional activity, students use the FCCLA planning process to solve a given problem. Students report to the class the problem and their solution.
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Selecting the Best Material to Use While Solving Technological Problems
Students examine natural resources and discuss their pros and cons. In this sustainable environment lesson, students describe reasons to use specific resources when faced with different problems, specifically why wood is a great...
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Oil Crisis: What Would You Do?
The dynamics between the economies and politics of the United States and the Middle East are here to study. Upper graders read and discuss scenarios relating to OPEC and the current oil crisis, then in small groups role-play members of...
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Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One...
Explore language arts by reading two similar stories in order to compare and contrast them in class. Young readers read two Aunt Isabel books, by Kate Duke, and discuss the main characters, plot, and setting. They complete a graphic...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Analyzing Regional Conflicts Involving Terrorism
This is a week-long lesson on analyzing the similarities and differences between sources of tension and terrorism in eight locations around the world. The class is divided into eight groups and assigned one of the locations to research....
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Landscape Garden Makeover
A project-based learning plan focuses on landscapes in the community. After identifying problems, such as dead trees or misplaced automatic sprinklers, learners design solutions, contact local organizations to fix the problems, and do...
US Department of State
The Marshall Plan: The Vision of a Family of Nations
The European Recovery Act (aka the Marshall Plan) was designed to bring together and develop a spirit of cooperation among European nations after World War II. Class members examine the materials from the Marshall Plan exhibit and assess...
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Writing Effective Thesis Statements and Introductory Paragraphs for Research Papers
After reading on the topic of their paper, high schoolers work in pairs to assess how to write powerful, precise thesis statements. The introduction contains three statements: a universal statement, a bridge statement, and a thesis...
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Inventing and Presenting Unit 1: Analyzing Nonfiction and Inventing Solutions
Students read about and identify patterns in the invention process. Students discuss and write about information learned from research. Students compile a list of problems, choose one, write a problem statement, and compile a list of at...
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Acid-Base Titration
Students determine the concentration of an unknown solution. This task assesses students' abilities to state hypothesis, develop procedures for investigation, plan for recording and organizing observations and data, collect data, create...
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Titration and Molarity
Students investigate the concept of molarity and its relationship to the concentration of a solution. After mixing chemical solutions, they calculate how many moles of acid and base should be in each solution. They record their results...
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Where's the Math?
Fourth graders create an original math problem with a detailed solution key relative to their chosen career fields.
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What's The Solution With Technology
Students investigate the use of technology and how it could be used to solve problems. They conduct research using the resource links included in the lesson plan. The teacher chooses a problem for students to solve and leads them to the...
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The Role of government in Waste Management
Students assess ways the government could curtail the waste disposal problem. They write letters to government officials suggesting solutions.
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Help Is On The Way!
Third graders recognize the attitudes, knowledge and skills contributing to effective learning in school and across the life span. They complete an inventory that self-assesses their ability in study skills, test taking strategies, and...
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Popcorn Literacy
Second graders participate in a book share that facilitates mastery of literary elements (in a delicious way). At the conclusion of a book, 2nd graders are required to discuss setting, plot, character, problem, and solution/resolution in...
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Design Notebook
Students create a notebook where they record their plans, designs, revisions, problems, and solutions for a designated project. They examine various samples of design notebooks used by professionals, and develop their own notebook.