Teach Engineering
Breaking the Mold
A little too much strain could cause a lot of stress. Groups conduct a strength test on clay. Using books as weights, pupils measure the compression of clay columns and calculate the associated strain and stress. Teams record their...
Teach Engineering
Straw Bridges
Pairs work as engineering teams to design and build model bridges from drinking straws and tape. In this third segment in a series of 10, teams compete in an attempt to build the strongest bridge. To help with the design, the groups...
Santa Ana Unified School District
The Giver
Wouldn't it be great to live an a community without pain, without danger? Such a society is the goal of the community in The Giver. Using Lois Lowry's dystopian novel as the core text, class members read primary source materials...
Curated OER
Soda to be Absent from Schools
Should schools serve soda to students? Learners read an artlcle that argues against the sale of soda in schools and engage in a class discussion. They then complete a short assessment to check for comprehension and reflect on the...
Curated OER
The Pearl and the Concept of Wealth
What is the true meaning of wealth? Guide your class through this question in a SMART board activity (provided), which addresses a concept development model. The lesson could be used before you begin The Pearl by John Steinbeck, or...
Curated OER
Permit Trading
Emerging environmentalists work in groups and pretend that each is a power company generating electricity for a community. They consider the costs of building a renewable electricity generator that will increasingly replace generating...
Curated OER
Finding My Voice
Have your class learn the essentials of public speaking. They compose a speech for their fifth grade celebration using iPods and presentation software. This would be a great end of the year activity for any grade level.
Shmoop
ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1
If you need an introduction to skill W.9-10.1 for writing, then you’re off to a good start here. Included is a funny script that introduces what the students need to know to conquer the skill. It also provides an introduction activity...
Curated OER
Uncle Jed's Barbershop
Students are read the book "Uncle Jed's Barbershop". After the story, they complete an anticipation guide to label each statement as either a positive or a negative. In groups, they try to come to a concensus on each statement. They...
Curated OER
Scientists Breed See-Through Frogs
Students participate in a pre-reading activity, then read a news article about the breeding of transparent frogs. In this biology and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a question and a vocabulary activity,...
Curated OER
Building the Foundation
Students understand the purpose of the judicial branch of government. In this judiciary lesson, students participate in exercises to understand how the court system works. Students complete activity sheets to develop understanding of...
Curated OER
Maniac Magee Lesson Ideas
Here are ideas and activities to include in a "Maniac Magee" novel study.
Curated OER
Jet Delivers Books to Kids Overseas
Learners identify the function of organizations, then read a news article about an organization called Room to Read that is sending books to poor countries. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Curated OER
Stamps are Making News
Students analyze the cost of mailing a letter since 1917, then read a news article about the increasing stamp price and new Star Wars stamps that will be available. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with...
Curated OER
Pets are Popular with U.S. Presidents
Students discuss their pets and read about pets that have lived in the White House. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a vocabulary activity and pet survey, then the students read the news article and...
Curated OER
National Turkey Off to Disneyland
Young scholars share their holiday traditions, then read about an American Thanksgiving custom. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the news article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, the students participate...
Curated OER
Companies Racing to Build Electric Car
Students examine how they use batteries, then read a news article about how cars are being designed to use batteries. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then...
Curated OER
Football a Big Success in Small Alaska City
Students read about the creation of a football program at a small-town school in Alaska. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...
Curated OER
Kids Build Pumpkin-Tossing Catapult
Young scholars read a news article about the creation of a catapult that will throw pumpkins. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion of catapults and a vocabulary activity, then students read...
Curated OER
U.S. Penny to Get Four New Designs
Students look at U.S. currency and read about plans to change the back of U.S. pennies. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces a news article with a discussion of money and a vocabulary activity, then...
Curated OER
Farmers Use Falcons to Protect Berries
Students share information about falcons, then read about how farmers are using falcons. In this falcon lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...
Curated OER
Family Sells House to Help the Hungry
Students compare their wants and needs, then read a news article about a family that downsized their home to help African villagers. In this current events and poverty in Africa activity, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Curated OER
Bike-Sharing Catches On
Students discuss how people are reducing their fuel consumption, then read a news article about a new bike-sharing program in Washington, D.C. In this current events and alternative transportation lesson plan, the teacher introduces the...
Curated OER
Drought Threatens Huge Man-Made Lake
Students locate Lake Mead, then read a news article about Lake Mead drying up and how that would effect water and power supplies to the region. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary...