Mathematics Assessment Project
Generalizing Patterns: The Difference of Two Squares
After completing an assessment task where they express numbers as the difference of squares (i.e., 9 = 5^2 – 4^2), class members note any patterns that they see in the problems.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Representing and Combining Transformations
Transform your learners into master geometers with an activity that asks them to first complete an assessment task drawing the result after transformation of a given shape in the coordinate plane. They then use cards to...
Curated OER
Homelessness
Take a close look at homelessness with your learners. In this character development lesson, young artists draw a large pair of sunglasses, adding their family and pictures representing their belongings and values on the left lens,...
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Desert Views: First Impressions
Students are introduced to primary source material and the ways in which early travelers viewed aspects of the desert environment. The instructional activity addresses the geography themes of location, region, and human/environment...
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100th Day Celebration
Students celebrate the 100th day of school with a variety of math and language arts activities based on the number 100. They make books, count objects, and draw their predictions about life 100 years from now. They also estimate the...
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Using Dreams in Writing
C.S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength provides the model for using dreams in narrative writing. After a discussion of the purpose of dreams in Lewis’s tale, class members craft a story in which their dreams play an essential role.
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Fun With Sun Protection
Students create sun protection devices by modeling sunglasses invented by native people of the Arctic and study about protecting the body from sun exposure. They write a small paragraph explaining and justifying why they believe a...
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
Harry S. Truman And Korea
Engage the class in researching oral histories and historical revision, in order to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made by Americans in the Korean War. The inquiry process is scheduled to take one week....
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Get the Drift?
The anticipatory set is clever: give groups five minutes to work on the puzzle and then discuss what strategies they used to match the few that connected. This introduces middle schoolers to the concept of continental drift. A portion of...
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Building Boxes- Polynimial And Rational Functions
Students investigate the concepts of polynomial and rational functions. They identify the general patterns used to solve problems. The use of real world contexts in the problems helps to promote engagement and understanding of how the...
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Getting into Shape
Students identify 3-D geometric shapes through different pieces of artwork. They examine and identify segments and angles. Students act out shapes and create a piece of artwork. Additional cross curriculum activities are listed.
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Problem Solving in Genetic Disorders
A class of older and academically mature learners are divided into pairs, usually one male and one female and are told that they are expecting a child. Unfortunately, their child may or may not have inherited some form of genetic...
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Perceptions of German Unification Over Time
Through a series of readings and handouts, learners will study the shifts in perception that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. The history lesson focuses on periods of change in post WWII German history that led to a changed...
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A Newer, Better, Older Me
First graders engage in a lesson that is concerned with self-respect and interpersonal relationships. They create a character clover as an art project that lists positive character traits and specific attributes of strength. Then...
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The World's Simplest Cartesian Diver
Have your class learn about buoyancy using this simple lesson plan. First, they bring in condiment packets and see what happens when they place it in a glass of water. Then, they use one of the packets to illustrate the concept of a...
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Compass Rose for the New Millennium
Sixth graders are introduced to the concepts of a compass rose and how it used in relationship to reading maps in geography. The lesson is meant to build upon prior knowledge and skills.
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Happy, Sad, Scared And Mad: All Belong To Me
Students investigate the basic emotions that are experienced by human beings. They define and differentiate between the feelings of happiness, sadness, and anger. Students complete a feelings worksheet and look at images that represent...
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The Problem Solving Game
Fifth graders identify the steps to problem solving: STAR (Stop, Think, Act, and Review) and how the steps relate to resolving problems and conflicts. They are told that they are an employee at a game factory. Students are told that they...
National Security Agency
Sampling for a Rock Concert
Over the course of three class periods, middle schoolers design an experiment to provide learner input to administration about which rock band to invite to play at school. They practice several random sampling exercises, all well...
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Live from Ancient Olympia!
Young scholars study online resources to examine the ancient Olympic Games and athletes. They investigate the qualities of ancient Olympic athletes and role interviews with the athletes.
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Barrier Islands
Third graders explore how barrier islands work. For this erosion lesson, 3rd graders create barrier islands in stream tables and simulate wave action to see how it affects their island.
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Egypt's Golden Empire Lesson 5
Students research and discuss the pyramids, temples and obelisk of Ancient Egypt. They work cooperatively to build a model pyramid.
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What Are Some Different Ways You Can Group Buttons
Second graders classify and group buttons. They discuss how their buttons are alike and different, and identify the characteristics of their handful of buttons. Students then classify their buttons into three groups, and create a...
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Maniac Magee Lesson Ideas
Here are ideas and activities to include in a "Maniac Magee" novel study.