Curated OER
Mandalas: Geometric Link between Medicine and Histor
Young scholars explore Mandalas. They observe a PowerPoint presentation explaining the history of Mandalas and the Aztecs of Mexico. Students discover the connections between geometry, medicine, and ancient history. They describe the...
Curated OER
Reaching Your Potential - Personal Development
How do young people know the potential they possess? Middle schoolers explore their personal potential through two different activities and a class discussion. They examine where their aptitudes lie, and how they can use their gifts to...
Smithsonian Institution
Watching Crystals Grow
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Curated OER
Revolutionary Money
Examine paper money from the American revolution! Historians study the paper bills and discuss the history of money. How has money changed over the times? Activities are included.
Curated OER
Labor Markets
Students examine labor markets by participating in an employer/employee simulation and in group discussions. They discuss mandated employee benefits and predict the effect they have on various parties.
Curated OER
Interplanetary Travel Guide
In groups of six, middle school space scientists create an imaginative travel brochure for attracting visitors to the planet Mars. Information must include surface features and atmospheric conditions. Although time-consuming, this is a...
Curated OER
Insulation: Keeping Heat In or Out
Students compare different materials on their ability to insulate. They identify the best materials for keeping heat in and keeping heat out. They also examine the importance of insulating homes.
Curated OER
Window Treatments for Energy Savings
Students participate in an activity in which they determine which rooms are the warmest and coldest and explain why that is the case. They identify the types of energy saving window treatments and list their advantages and disadvantages.
Curated OER
The Formation of Fossil Fuels
Learners participate in an activity in which they explain the difference between renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy. They discover why the supply of fossil fuels is limited and practice using new vocabulary.
Curated OER
What Does It Cost to Use It?
Students investigate how electrical usage is counted. In this electricity lesson, students research an electric bill and define terms such as watts and kilowatts. Students calculate the average electricity cost per year by using a...
Curated OER
For Your Eyes Only
Students complete several activities in a unit related to the eye. In this eye instructional activity, students work in groups to research information about the human eye and create a multimedia presentation. They research anatomy of the...
Curated OER
UV Beads
Students recognize preventitive measures that can be taken to reduce the risks associated with exposure to solar radiation. They explain why solar radiation can be harmful. They utilize beads that turn color when exposed to UV rays. Good...
Curated OER
Growing in Communities, Kids on the Grow
Students participate in an after school program that promotes concern for others, recognizing differences, accepting differences, leadership roles, mentoring, self-responsibility and personal safety. They explore the diversity of their...
Curated OER
Plants and Animals: Partners in Pollination
Students describe the complementary relationships between pollinators and the plants they pollinate, identify adaptations that flowers have developed to "encourage" pollination, and create and draw their own "designer" flowers.
Curated OER
Mineral Scavenger Hunt
Students complete a scavenger hunt worksheet as they find examples in their classroom, at home, etc., of minerals. Excellent worksheet!
Curated OER
Create a Classroom Exhibit: Rocks and Minerals
Students bring in rocks and minerals from home. They observe them and describe them carefully, completing a worksheet. Finally, a classroom exhibit is created.
Curated OER
Letters from the Japanese American Internment
Students examine letters of Japanese-American children during internment in World War II. They discover what it was like in the camps and how they were treated once they were released. They also view photographs of the camps.
Curated OER
Lakes and Ponds
Students describe and recognize the difference between a lake and a pond. They name six ways in which a lake or pond can be formed. They describe the importance and act of evaporation on a waterway.
Curated OER
Problem Solving In Genetic Disorders
Students explore the causes and effects of genetic disorders. They examine the phenotype and genotype of individuals and predict the recurrenence risks. Students generate a Punnett square and construct pedigree charts.
Curated OER
Companion Animals
Students identify ways companion animals are used to assist humans. Students identify zoonoses and list several types of. Students identify several aspects of responsible companion animal ownership. Students design, distribute, and tally...
Curated OER
Plants and Animals, Partners in Pollination
Students participate in multiple hands-on activities to explore reproduction and pollination. In groups, using a cotton swab and powder, students simulate being pollinators and plants. They name the parts of the flowers and the function...
Curated OER
Rocks and Minerals
Students bring rocks and minerals from home to investigate in the classroom. In this rocks and minerals lesson plan, students observe all the rocks and minerals brought into the class and answer 7 questions about the features of the...
Curated OER
Under the Spell of Spiders
Students examine spiders. In these spider lessons, students will view spider images and live spiders to determine physical characteristics, habits, and habitats. Students will examine fantasy and folklore about spiders to create and...
Curated OER
"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and investigate their natural environment. This humanities lesson provides a text that can be used to teach lessons in black...