To observe preservation techniques firsthand, learners dry a flower in sand and compare cucumber slices soaked in salt water for a week with slices left out to dry in the open air. Video resources (not attached) include one about mummies...

Upper elementary and middle schoolers use their observation skills to group different kinds of candy by similar characteristics. They debate whether or not we should classify objects. Finally, they learn that biologists have developed a...

Sixth graders study the geography of Tibet. They create maps of Tibet. Students predict population, land area, water area and coastline length of the United States and Tibet. Students compare and contrast the day-to-day lives of people...

Eighth graders take field trips to prairies, streams and forests in Illinois. During the field trip, they complete a worksheet to observe what they see and discuss it when they get back to school. They share their experiences through...

Students open up the script to generate the sketch. They examine the viewing of the animation of a triangle. Students incorporate writing skills across the curriculum within this lesson plan.

Students practice the skills of reflection and evaluation. In this reflection lesson, students are grouped together and asked to brainstorm what they have learned during a particular unit. Students decide what they want to share with the...

Special needs students practice completing everyday tasks such as organizing a day plan, reading a clock and completing simple math problems. They define the proper learning techniques for their disorder and utilize props in...

Assist your pupils in making healthy food choices with this instructional activity. First, have them bring in different kinds of food labels, and put a list of key words on the board (list is not included, but can be nutrition or...

Learners work in groups to define and research the terms: ozone, troposphere and stratosphere. Students watch videos, conduct Internet research, participate in discussion groups and complete worksheets.

Young scholars explore the process of voting. They study the lawmaking branch of the state government.

Students study the similarities and differences between Canada and the United State in this unit. They examine geography, government and culture as they "travel" through Canada.

Eighth graders explore U.S. Imperialism. They explain why stronger countries take control of weaker countries. Students research Imperialism in other parts of the world. In groups, 8th graders create a PowerPoint presentation discussing...

Fifth graders work on the different possibilities of reaching the number 100. The class is divided into homogeneous groups for cooperative learning. The lesson uses discussion questions to help with problem solving.

Students identify and demonstrate a positive learning attitude and use basic concepts and skills. Learners also communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written, and nonverbal form. Finally, students participate in the daily data...

Young learners start out by going to the board to draw lines through shapes to identify halves. Then they are given a square of paper and are directed to fold the paper into halves and then into fourths. They color the halves...

Examine a slug? Of course, what else would a 2nd grader do with it? Pupils use clues and go on a slug hunt, read a slug story, or make a cooperative group mural of a slug's habitat. While older learners catalog slugs, go on a slug hunt,...

A terrific instructional activity focused on the design process. It begins with a presentation, "Design: Solve a Problem," which lists the steps of the process and then introduces the specific challenge: to build a device that...

Demonstrate the complexities of running a government with this group activity. Young politicians are arranged into small groups and become leaders of a hypothetical country (outline of country provided). Groups must outline 6 (listed)...

Students discuss the positive and negative externalities of various situations. They use the concept of property rights in discussing specific problems.

Learners study the proper temperature and technique to cook ground meat safely. They examine the critical control points when ground beef is being processed.

Eleventh graders study wildlife management and identify the appropriate government agencies that are in charge. They examine different wildlife management techniques. They write a letter showing interest in the activities of one of the...

History comes alive as groups work cooperatively to create short iMovies about a specific historical period of their choice. Ideal for late elementary grades, the lesson includes a video demonstration and a short materials list.

Students begin by completing a survey asking them to rank their concerns about commercially prepared foods. They develop a definition of relative risk, and complete the "Pro or Con" worksheet. Students work in groups to make a study of...

Students in varying grades work cooperatively to create a living museum of items that have been "passed down" through generations. They give a brief oral presentation showing their object (or a picture of it) and describing its history...