University of Florida
Pocket Count
Young mathematicians are presented three possible graphs to represent the number of students who have a given number of pockets in their clothes. They must choose the most appropriate graph and write out short explanations regarding...
Historical Thinking Matters
Scopes Trial: 5 Day Lesson
Did Scopes violate the Butler Act? Why did so many Americans follow the Scopes trial? See analytical reading in action with a fantastic five-day lesson plan in which class members consider the historical context that provoked public...
Curated OER
The Fisherman and His Wife
Engage conversation and explore the journey as you challenge young readers to interpret the german folktale, "The Fisherman and His Wife" written by literary brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.
New York State Education Department
US History and Government Examination: January 2016
Looking for an exam that uses primary sources to test young historians' analytical muscles? Check out a standardized test that asks learners to answer multiple-choice and essay questions to demonstrate their understanding of American...
Curated OER
Chess Lesson Plans
Students discover the game of chess. In this critical thinking activity, students learn the rules for each chess piece and the game as a whole. Students use critical thinking, problem solving, logic, and reasoning skills to improve their...
Curated OER
Proving Triangles Congruent
Students examine Triangle Congruency. In this measurement comparison lesson, students use inductive, deductive and analytical thinking skills to prove triangle congruency. Students analyze and record their findings on activity worksheets.
Historical Thinking Matters
Rosa Parks: 5 Day Lesson
What led to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and how might historians approach this question differently? This rich series of lessons includes a short introductory video clip, analysis of six primary source documents, and...
Stanford University
Expansion of the Inca Empire
If you could write your own history textbook, what would you include? Learners play the role of textbook writers by examining evidence of the Inca Empire. With primary sources from Spanish and indigenous perspectives, as well as images,...
Stanford University
Public Housing
The Fair Deal was meant to give Americans after World War II a basic standard of living. Those in public housing often found that promise fell short. Learners consider whether the effort was successful by evaluating images, testimonies,...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Analyzing “Intercepted Intelligence”
A good diplomat needs to know how world events can affect their country. First, class members examine the Papal Bull that excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I from the Roman Catholic Church. Then, learners playing the role of diplomat from...
Center for History Education
Civil War Weaponry and Medicine: A Disastrous Mismatch
Ironically, science was the reason why the Civil War was so deadly. Despite the use of medical practices now considered barbaric—such as conducting surgery with bare, dirty hands—developments in weaponry meant that more men died on and...
Curated OER
Reading and Responding
Fourth graders read and respond to poetry. They identify the author's purpose and connect the literature to their personal experiences. Students critically analyze the poem and write a poem of their own.
Student Handouts
Logical Fallacies
Help your learners grow their critical thinking and analytical skills by asking them to examine logical fallacies. After reading an example, pupils determine if two sets of premises and conclusions are logical fallacies or not and...
Curated OER
Positive and Negative Angles and Arcs
To better understand that the intersection point of two lines lies inside a circle, learners use their keen measurement skills. They discuss arcs, rays, tangent lines, and reflex angles. Then, they put their skills to work as they...
Federal Reserve Bank
Financial Literacy Infographic Scavenger Hunt
A lesson in personal finance can be the most valuable part of a high school education. Connect the basics of banking with informational reading skills in a lesson that prompts teenagers to answer a series of questions based on an array...
Curated OER
Everything You Know Is Wrong 1: Us and Them
Learners explore rational, irrational, analytical and non-analytical methods of reasoning. They participate in numerous exercises and hands-on activities to understand assumptions and how most people think. Students establish the...
Stanford University
Ansel Adams at Manzanar
Analyzing photos from Ansel Adams of Manzanar—a camp where the American government imprisoned thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II—individuals consider what images have to say about this period in American history....
Curated OER
Calculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic
Students explore the interplay between the geometric and analytic information and on the use of calculus both to predict and to explain the observed local and global behavior of a function. They write a paragraph describing any...
Curated OER
Talking About Your Name in Math Terms
Add imagination and creativity to your math lesson plan. Young mathematicians investigate ways to express their names in mathematical terms. For instance, they can count the number of letters, analyze the geometric shapes of the letters,...
Historical Thinking Matters
Spanish-American War: 3 Day Lesson
Why did the United States choose to invade Cuba in 1898? As part of a 3-day activity, your young historians will first develop working hypotheses to answer this question, then work with a variety of historical primary source documents...
Curated OER
Algebra 1: Slope as Rate
Learners solve problems with slopes. In this algebra lesson, students identify the slope of a line and relate it to the rate of change. They graph their lines on the TI and observe changes in the lines.
Curated OER
Using Algebra to Explore Problem Space
Students apply their knowledge of math by rewriting word problems using equations. In this word problem instructional activity, students build upon previous knowledge as they set up the correct steps to solve word problems. This...
Curated OER
Home Living/Life Skills: Face Washing
Having good hygiene skills is a very important part of living an independent life. Learners with special needs follow sequencing cards to practice washing their faces. They follow each step in the process and discuss the importance of...
Curated OER
Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Chip Analysis
Students analyze spectrums as related to forensics. In this chemistry lesson, students define spectroscopy and discuss its use in chemistry. They discuss how the Forensic Paint Chip is used to help solve crimes.