Curated OER
Simple Machines, Engines and the Environment
Young scholars examine and describe the six main simple machines. In groups, they work with an inclined plane to calculate the ideal and actual mechanical advantages of the plane. Using their results, they must determine the efficiency...
Curated OER
SSSH - Successful, Simple Simulation, Hassle-Free
Students explore the Revolutionary War. They discuss ways to resolve conflicts, establish control/authority to meet needs. Students compare interactions among groups and then relate to other social groups. Students play a game to review...
Curated OER
Applying KWL Guides to Sources with Elementary Students
What is a KWL chart? Here is a well thought-out activity that has learners use KWL charts to gain historical perspective. Your class examines primary sources about historical events and identifies what they know, want to know, and,...
Curated OER
The Teacher from the Black Lagoon
Read and analyze the book, The Teacher From the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler with your class. They will compare/contrast the two Mrs. Greens with a Venn diagram, design a new book cover, create a paper mache mask, and complete a story...
Curated OER
Simply Unique
Learners identify, compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. They work together in groups to complete experiments using the simple machines. They write in their journals to reflect on the lesson.
Curated OER
Inuit Sculpture
Kids in grade four through eight research Inuit artists and art styles. After a critical look at Inuit sculpture, they use those forms for inspiration as they create one of their own. They practice using the subtractive method of...
Curated OER
Introduction to Greek Theatre and Antigone
Young scholars compare and contrast a website layout and the layout of a Greek theatre. In this Greek theatre lesson, students research the Greek theatre and produce a bulleted list of five facts about the Greek theatre. Young scholars...
Curated OER
Air, Air Everywhere! Lesson 2: Acid Rain
Middle school environmentalists record the pH of four different liquids, including two aerosol cleaning products. They liken the products to acid rain and speculate in writing which might affect the human respiratory system. Although...
Curated OER
Critical Thinking Strategies
Teach your readers to be critical thinkers. A strategy is outlined that can be used to compare and contrast entities. An example lists four states. The learner removes one state that "does not belong" in the list for some reason, and...
Curated OER
Squiggly, Wiggly Worms
Students, who are in early elementary grades, pair with fifth grade students to study worms. They observe worms in experiments, create research questions, and complete the research using Internet sites. They participate in a "Worm...
Curated OER
Conjunctions
Students examine the role of conjunctions in the English language. They discuss how conjunctions are used, observe a teacher demonstration, and complete various worksheets related to conjunctions.
Curated OER
Dichotomous Keys
Students utilize dichotomous keys to identify trees in their schools. For this ecological identification lesson, students practice creating dichotomous keys based on simple subjects such as hair color or sex of a person....
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Fraction Strips
Students explore number sense by participating in a class fraction game. In this number value instructional activity, students utilize strips of paper with fractions written on them and conduct a trivia game in which teams challenge each...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Super Spinners!
Students make spinners to investigate rotational inertia, rotational speed, angular momentum, and velocity. They make two sets of spinners that have different mass distributions and shapes. They complete a worksheet while experimenting...
Alliance Theater
The Jungle Book Post-Show STEAM Lesson
An ecosystem is really just the flow of energy through many different living organisms. A study of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book leads to an environmental science activity in which learners study how various factors can affect...
Curated OER
Rhyming With Pancakes
Learners listen to the book The Great Pancake Escape as an introduction to rhyming and its use in storytelling. Provide examples of simple words that rhyme with other simple words and come up with rhymes with an end word from an earlier...
Curated OER
Shine On, Moon
Pupils explore space science by conducting an experiment in class. In this Moon lesson, students define a list of space science vocabulary and read the book The Moon. Pupils utilize shoeboxes and string to conduct a sunlight experiment...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Fractions of a Set
Middle schoolers explore number sense by completing a number set worksheet. In this fractions lesson, students utilize pattern blocks as a visual reference to the fractions they practice identifying. Middle schoolers read the book...
Curated OER
Whose Voice Do I Hear?
Fifth graders examine the power of voice in writing by completing a story using words following a particular voice. They take simple nursery rhymes, then attempt to put their own voice to a revised version. An interesting lesson on writing!
Curated OER
Martin Luther King Jr.: A Fact Or Opinion Activity
Students discuss the difference between fact and opinion, then read a brief biography of Martin Luther King Jr. They complete the Martin Luther King Jr.: Fact or Opinion worksheet.
Curated OER
Hands-On Weather Data Collecting
Fifth graders use Internet sites to complete a study of weather and atmosphere. They compare weather data from cities around the world. They use thermometers, the Beaufort wind scale, and simple weather symbols to measure weather around...
Curated OER
Star Words
Students identify and categorize apostrophes. They create maps of the solar system and write simple sentences using apostrophes that describe each planet's characteristics.
Curated OER
Agriculture Cares for the World
Students explore world geography by analyzing agriculture. In this dietary habits lesson, students discuss the role parents play in their children's diet and where the food comes from. Students write agricultural research paragraphs and...
Curated OER
The Sequential Teaching of Writing Skills at Grade Eight
Eighth graders are introduced to the techniques to write properly. As a class, they practice writing complete sentences and discover how to avoid run-on sentences. In groups, they review action and state of being verbs and practice...