Learners plot events that happened years ago beginning with volcano activity.  In this investigative instructional activity students are introduced to the different eras and plot them on a map. 

Students discuss scale diagrams and maps as well as the use of spreadsheets to find the best scale to use in a model before practicing scale and ratio problems on their own.

Students measure the electric potential of 9 volt batteries using oscilloscopes. They draw a diagram of the front panel of the oscilloscope, conduct the experiment, and create a graph of voltage versus the number of batteries.

Young scholars examine a cookie that represents pumice and lava in order to realize that lava is a composite of many rock particles. They compare and contrast pumice to the cookie by estimating, weighing, measuring and dissecting the...

Seventh graders investigate scientific methods to solve problems. They demonstrate creating data tables and graphs. They study the role of a scientist and the importance of safety in a science lab. They distinguish between an...

Third graders investigate ratios and rates.  In this third grade mathematics lesson, 3rd graders identify equal ratios and rate and test for proportionality.  This lesson is created to be use in conjunctions with a particular...

Eighth graders measure regular baseball bats and souvenir bats in centimeters. They determine how tall a person would be to be in proportion to the souvenir bat, create a poster depicting the person, and explain the proportional...

Fourth graders are introduced to the problem by weighing objects on the balance scales. Use weights in both pans. (If you don't have access to scales use 2 containers and a child acting as the balance.) They then listen to the problem...

In this lesson, North Carolina Salt Dough Map, 4th graders create a salt dough map of North Carolina, Students use dough to form the shape of the state of North Carolina. Students label the three regions of North Carolina and all of...

Students form "companies" of 3-4 students and build bottle rockets for analysis and experiment. This lesson uses NASA's RcketModeler Version 1.2 rocket simulator to evaluate each rocket's flight.

Extinction events have happen throughout geologic history, but only five mass extinctions occurred over the last 4.5 billion years. Scholars view fossils from a layer of sediment during an extinction event and observe patterns to draw...

There are four separate pages in this packet: What is energy balance, there is only one you, help Ira decide, and making healthy choices can be fun. The first one has a diagram of an old time scale. There is a box hanging from each...

Students create a dynamic composition by repeatedly drawing found objects using the techniques of perspective, diminishing scale, and receding lines. This instructional activity includes rubric for assessment.

Seventh graders design possible dream house layouts. In this architecture instructional activity, 7th graders use sketch paper and a ruler to develop several rough sketches of a dream house. Students discuss how to use a scale for...

Students living in Hawaii draw a picture of themselves in their neighborhood. They draw their neighborhood in relation to their district and then in relation to the island they are from. They compare their pictures to their classmates'...

Students work collaboratively to create artistic renderings of digital photographs using a color value scale and grid techniques in this late-elementary school lesson plan based upon Ted Rose's book Discovering Drawing. The lesson plan...

Learners use grid boxes as a measurement tool and discover how grids are used for mapmaking and scaling down an area. They begin by attempting to draw a model shape drawn by the teacher by using the gridding process. At the conclusion of...

Aspiring astronomers solve problems involving mixed units of the same attribute, including time, money, length, and area. They convert large numbers into scientific notation, then compute and compare ratios to explain why drawing...

Sixth and seventh graders compare and order integers. After locating integers in a newspaper, they describe examples of negative and positive integers. They draw a thermometer and locate positive and negative integers on the scale. In...

Middle school environmentalists record the pH of four different liquids, including two aerosol cleaning products. They liken the products to acid rain and speculate in writing which might affect the human respiratory system. Although...

Explore the solar system with this lesson. Learners create a model of the solar system using toilet paper. With this creative approach, learners create a solar system according to distance and scale parameters, and write down a list of...

How can 5th graders show understanding that 30 x 225 is half of 60 x 225 without completing the computation? They can use an area model and draw it out. An array, or an open array, is an area model that allows for young learners to...

Students utilize prior knowledge to erect and assemble a building from a drawing using spaghetti noodles and marshmallows. For this building lesson, students visualize a three dimensional structure from looking at a picture and...

Students observe the colors found in the flame of a burning candle and examine the basic concepts of matter and energy. Students apply this information to the color's of starts and the temperature of the stars photosphere. Students...