Curated OER
Diversity in Media: Looking Critically at What We See
This learning experience fosters awareness of representations we see, and don't see, in the media. Learners list TV programs, games, and films they enjoy, identify characters' ethnic, religious, (dis)ability, and sexual orientation...
Curated OER
The BEAM Project: Building Efficient Architectural Models
Technology or engineering teams are given a task to design, construct, and test the efficiency of a structure that will foster an even temperature throughout an entire sunny day. Intended as a long-term project, pupils research, plan,...
Curated OER
Bias and Crime in Media
Critical thinking and social justice are central themes for this resource on bias and crime in media. The class views and discusses an incisive PSA that highlights assumptions based on race. Small groups read newspaper opinion pieces...
Curated OER
"Construction Work" Art Activity
Students explore architectural styles and define architectural terms. They construct a building using various architectural elements, and display their buildings, identifying each of the architectural components they used.
DocsTeach
Patent Analysis: J.W. Davis and Levi Strauss's Fastening Pocket Openings
Commonplace today, the zipper and button construction of blue jeans was a major innovation. Using the patent for the J.W. Davis and Levi Strauss innovation, individuals comb an image of the fly for clues. Afterward, they discuss its...
ReadWriteThink
Let It Grow: An Inquiry-Based Organic Gardening Research Project
How does your garden grow? An inquiry-based, organic gardening unit asks young scientists to research a vegetable or flower, create an environment for it, and then plant and tend to the seedling. Gardeners develop their own research...
Dick Blick
ArtStraw Architecture
While architects and engineers don't often build with plastic straws and foam board, the same principles still apply. Challenging both the creativity and critical thinking of students, this engaging design project is perfect...
Curated OER
Make Spectacular Books
Students view a demonstration on how to make a skewer book. Using various types of fabric, they transform it into a skewer book to be used for scrapbooking. They share their books with the class and ask for constructive criticism.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Growing a Nation: Into a New Millennium 1970-Present
If you want to focus on critical thinking skills, this well-constructed series of activities will challenge your history or agriculture class to evaluate the effectiveness of administrative decisions related to agricultural and the...
Curated OER
Pieced Flowers
Students practice making pieced flower blocks to be used on their quilts. As a class, they create simple and complicated templates to be used as a stand alone wall hanging. They share their creation with the class and receive...
Curated OER
Build Your Dream Science Lab
Would your ideal science lab be filled with bubbling beakers and zapping Tesla coils? Or would it contain state-of-the-art computer technology and data analysis? Dream big with an innovative lesson that connects math and language...
Curated OER
Hand Quilting
Students are introduced the techniques of hand quilting. After viewing a demonstration, they practice the same skills in which to successfully create a quilt. They share their creation with the class and offer constructive criticism on...
Curated OER
Quilts, Quilts, and More Quilts!
Middle schoolers practice making sampler quilts out of various fabrics. As a class, they watch a demonstration by their teacher discussing the different techniques. They make their own and share them with the class asking for...
Curated OER
Piecing: Expanding the Basics
Learners review and discover new techniques to use on their quilts. As a class, they watch a demonstration on piecing fabrics together and the different stitching that can be used. They share their designs with the class and receive...
Curated OER
Reverse Applique with No Brakez
Learners view a demonstation of how to complete the reverse applique. Using a kit, they have their fabric already chosen and practice using this technique on their quilts. They share their creations with the class and receive...
Curated OER
World Trade Center Design Proposals
Students explore architectural design. In this critical thinking and architecture lesson, students view a number of websites providing proposals for design plans of a new World Trade Center. Students choose and evaluate three...
Middle Tennessee State University
The Invention of the Telephone
All of the people in your class would agree that life would be different without the invention of the telephone! Study Alexander Graham Bell's most famous and influential invention through the primary source document of his...
Curated OER
Did Somebody Say...? Where to Work?
Middle schoolers conduct research on four fast food restaurants to determine where they might apply for a job. They conduct research on hourly rate, working conditions, and benefits, construct a spreadsheet with a graph, and present...
Curated OER
Animals in the Landscape Mural
Students design animals and settings for the class mural they find on the visual journey to a farm through the cutting, tearing, pasting, and coloring of colored paper. Visualizing and designing constructed paper forms fosters Students'...
Curated OER
Step Into the Real World ~ Careers & Service Learning
Students research, analyze and study a variety of resources and activities to broaden their horizons on careers and service learning through classroom, community and career activities. They scan all possible choices they have at their...
Workforce Solutions
30 Seconds
Attention spans are short, but memories are long. Job seekers are challenged to develop a 30-second commercial that highlights their strengths in a job interview.
Workforce Solutions
Egg-streme Sports
Challenge small groups to build a structure that catches a raw egg without breaking—working collaboratively and applying mathematical and engineering principles. Pretending the frame was made by a business, scholars create a marketing...
Curated OER
Career Development: Attitude Survey
Students examine the importance of a positive attitude at work and in school. They complete an attitude quotient survey, and discuss the results and the importance of having a positive attitude toward work and learning.
Curated OER
What to do Between AP Exams and Semester Finals
Trying to write your end-of-year exam while encouraging scholars to begin reviewing? Do both using this study-skills strategy, which has scholars writing their own test! Although this lesson plan is intended for AP classes, it is...