Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: Made Up Math
Is there a way to connect creative thinking, logical reasoning, mathematical understanding, and humor? You bet there is! Kids begin by creating creative math quizzes, which require creative thinking to solve. For example, 1+1=24, one...
Science 4 Inquiry
Edible Plate Tectonics
Many people think they can't observe plate tectonics, but thanks to GPS, we know that Australia moves at a rate of 2.7 inches per year, North America at 1 inches per year, and the Pacific plate at more than 3 inches per year! Scholars...
Curated OER
What Do You Think? Analyzing Points of View About an Issue
"How might multiple perspectives of standardized testing impact me as a student?" is an example of an essential question that a researcher might use as a basis for this lesson on how to research and present a written stance on a...
Curated OER
AP: Chapter 24: The Origin of Species
AP biology buffs define vocabulary terms and answer critical-thinking questions about evolutionary trends. They compare macroevolution to microevolution, differentiate ploidy possibilities, explain isolation barriers, and more....
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics-Notes
In this plate tectonics learning exercise, students take notes on the types of plate boundaries including divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries and transform boundaries and they explain how plates move.
Curated OER
Barnyard Protest: Cows, Chickens & Fundamental Freedoms
Here is an ambitious and engaging lesson that should help elementary schoolers begin to develop a basic understanding of human rights. Pupils are asked to think about their own rights, the rights of others, and how an individual's voice...
Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust
That’s Not Fair!
As part of a series of critical thinking exercises, kids consider issues of social justice, especially the factors that must be considered when trying to balance conflicting rights and freedoms.
Curated OER
Comparing Improper Integrals
In this math instructional activity, students compare the improper integrals. They determine if each integral converges or diverges. The improper integral test is read and applied.
Curated OER
Walking With a Line
Students create various design drawings using parallel, oblique, and divergent lines and the medium of black paper and colored gel pens.
Curated OER
Worksheet 9
In this math worksheet, students test the concepts of divergence and convergence for each formula. Then they test the functions using the Ratio Test.
Curated OER
Worksheet 8
For this math worksheet, students consider the harmonic series. They assume that the sums move towards infinity and that they are divergent.
Curated OER
Infinite Series
In this math worksheet, learners examine the infinite series. They determine if it diverges or converges. Example 2 and 3 is group work to apply the tests for convergence or divergence.
Curated OER
Writing Up a Spanish Storm: Using Creative Thinking for Creative Writing
Students in a Spanish class are introduced to the techniques of creative writing. In groups, they focus on the pre-writing section of creative writing and keep a folder of their works throughout the lesson. They end the lessons by...
Curated OER
The Old Man and the Sea: Questioning Strategies
Readers learn to ask questions about text with an activity based on Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. As they read, class members craft questions based on Bloom's Taxonomy and then find the answers themselves.
Science Matters
A Model of Plate Faults
The San Andreas fault is one of the longest fault zones in the world. In a series of 20 lessons, the fourth lesson has pupils use a paper model to recreate various types of plate faults. Each is held in position then drawn into a science...
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast Essays
One of these things is not like the other. But, so what? Why is it important to examine the similarities and differences between two entities? Here's a presentation that shows viewers how to go beyond a mere listing to create and support...
It's About Time
Plate Boundaries and Plate Interactions
How does the Earth continually repair itself? Explore the answer to this question, and others, with a unit on plate boundaries and interaction. Pupils classify the types of movement at plate boundaries and identify the distribution of...
Curated OER
Reaganomics Debate
Young scholars examine the effectiveness of 'trickle down' economics. In this "Reaganomics" lesson plan, students use readings, analogies, discussion and debate to understand basic economic concepts. Young scholars will analyze the what...
Curated OER
Stupid Quiz
Students take a test with riddle-like questions. They use their creative thinking and problem solving skills to answer the questions.
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics
Students watch a video about plate tectonics. in this Earth Science lesson, students watch a video clip from Bill Nye about Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics. They make a slight crack in a hard boiled egg and manipulate the egg to...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
Perpetual Flow Activity
Set up a demonstration of how gravity can drive the perpetual flow of water during your hydro power unit. Science learners work in teams to make observations and formulate questions about how it works. They compare the model to what they...
Curated OER
Worksheet 10 - Spring 1996
In this math activity, students investigate how a series can apply the law of convergence. They also test the functions using convergence.
Curated OER
Out of the Box
Learners brainstorm unique and unusual words associated with a given topic.
They then work together in groups to check their work against lists created by the teacher. Finally, they keep score of the points they receive for matching...
Curated OER
Maus: Cubing Questioning Strategy
Maus is the text for a postreading activity that has class members using a cubing strategy to analyze, in depth, topics (racism, past and present, forgetting/remembering the Holocaust, representing the Holocaust) associated with Art...