Eighth graders research careers on the computer to determine which career they are interested in. They create a spreadsheet using the Excel program and calculate the budget for their desired lifestyle and determine if this income is...

Fifth graders work in cooperative groups to research an assigned land biome using various sources. Groups create either a book or a PowerPoint presentation of their assigned land biome.

Sixth graders explore simple machines. They identify tools and machines that are used in everyday life. Students examine the purpose and uses of everyday tools. They create a tool or machine that can be used to solve a problem.

Sixth graders explore the art of sculpture. They examine the sculptural techniques that can be used. Students select sculptural materials, tools, and techniques to create a novel interpretation of an everyday object.

students gather information during field trip to the zoo. They use and present their findings of the types of birds, cats, primates, and other mammals to their teachers and classmates by producing a slide show using Real Slide Show 2.0.

Students comprehend the geographic themes of location, movement, and human-environment interaction. They identify ways in which individuals depend upon each other within their community. Students identify examples of linkages and the...

Students study the meaning, symbolism, and value of U.S. coins, especially the quarter. Theyresearch why in 1965 the U.S. Mint decided to change the metal composition of the quarter to copper coated with nickel. In addition, they perform...

For this multi-lesson hands-on inquiry activity, students will develop their critical thinking skills by designing and constructing an apparatus that will permit an egg to survive a nine foot fall. Given limited materials, they will...

An introduction to the concept of Critical Thinking examines the true definition and gives examples where it can be used as a constructive force.

A downloadable critical thinking skills poster based on the original six levels of Bloom's taxonomy.

This lesson focuses on understanding and overcoming barriers to analysis: Barrier 1: Analysis might challenge my worldview, Barrier 2: Analysis kills fun, and Barrier 3: Analysis invents meaning.

This critical thinking exercise and checklist is designed for teachers and students. A lesson plan can be developed here that illustrates decision-making skills and a teacher can use examples of common problems that get in the way when...

For this lab, students will learn to organize and present data in a visual way so that they can then summarize in writing their conclusions about the relationships between the data.

Help your students learn the skill of dimensional analysis and the importance of mastering that skill. In this activity, students will work on their critical thinking by solving dimensional analysis problems. The lesson is formatted on...

This lesson focuses on analysis including an understanding of what analysis is, the keys to effective analysis, and the types of analytic assignments.

Contains plans for a lesson about writing draft letters, or reflective letters about pieces of writing that students are submitting to an instructor. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to...

The ability to examine a primary source is a gateway to building critical thinking skills and constructing knowledge. This lesson plan provides the students an opportunity to observe similarities and differences between 2 visual images,...

This article, originally published in Skeptical Inquirer, outlines some of the key components of the scientific problem-solving process while addressing the many reasons for the popularity of paranormal beliefs in the U.S. (Published in...

Several individual projects are going on under the umbrella of the Spatial History Project. These projects are developed and worked on by students, staff, and scholars as they expand studies within the humanities through spatial,...

In this project for Grades 6 to 12, young scholars will use real data collected online to learn how waves and tides work. They will learn what causes water to move, and how waves and tides impact on humans, organisms and waterfront...

This article focuses on the need to suspend judgment and keep an open mind while analyzing a situation or researching a topic.

In this active learning activity, young scholars will find a technique to move a car with one hand. Students are given only a tow strap, so the young scholars must apply angular force to successfully move the car with one hand.

This article examines each component of aggregate demand from the Keynesian perspective. Includes a table summarizing the information in the article, review questions, and critical thinking questions.

As part of the larger unit, America's History in the Making, from Annenberg Learner, this interactive allows students to be curators of their own mini-museum by choosing artifacts that fit a topic of their choice under the general theme...