Curated OER
Lines of Symmetry - Mirror Dance
Fifth graders analyze how to divide space or shape into mirror sections to create lines of symmetry. In this lines of symmetry activity, 5th graders discuss symmetry in dance, math, and living. Students participate in a dance warm-up and...
Curated OER
Polygons in Symmetry: Animal Inventions
Fourth graders use polygons to create animal figures with symmetry. In this polygons and symmetry lesson, 4th graders create a symmetrical animal collage by cutting and gluing geometric shapes and figures from math activities.
Berkeley Engineering and Mentors
Bridges
This engineering activity gets youngsters working together to design and construct a bridge. Each bridge is tested in front of the class to discover how much weight it can hold before showing any change in form. The lesson plan does not...
Curated OER
Hand Vase: Ceramics
Ceramics can be a wonderful medium. The class creates fun and funky hand shapes vases inspired by Aboriginal art forms. This would be a great project to do just before Mother's Day.
Curated OER
Native Design Coil Vase: Ceramics Lesson
After a quick study of Native American art, symbolism, and pattern design children make a ceramic vase. They read about the use, production, and design of Native American vases or pots, then use clay to create one of their own. Tip:...
Curated OER
Mini Coil Pots: Ceramics Lesson
Art is a wonderful way to teach historical or cultural concepts. Here, learners view a series of coil pots that have been created throughout history by a variety of civilizations. They then create and decorate a pot of their own that...
Curated OER
Little Oyster: Ceramic Lesson
Children will love researching and then creating a bottom dwelling mollusk of their own. They watch clips describing the ocean ecosystem and how oysters fit into their environment. Next, they research what oysters eat and how they look....
Curated OER
Central Valley Math Project
Middle schoolers study the Pythagorean Theorem. They describe what it means to square a number. Pupilsuse the Pythagorean Theorem to prove the sides of given triangles, and use geometric pieces of paper to create a right triangle and...
Curated OER
Cookie Dough Equivalence
There's nothing better than using a cooking lesson to teach about fractions! In this clever lesson, young chefs must determine the proper amounts of ingredients while using a standard measuring cup. The recipe is embedded in the plan,...
Curated OER
Equivalent Fractions
If you are looking for a simple way to review equivalent fractions, this is a great resource. Using a visual means and a series of examples, learners review this skill. There is a worksheet provided and a prompt to encourage pupils to...
Curated OER
Reader Response
Fifth graders reflect upon different concepts of Language Arts while reading literature. In the novel Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt, the characters discover a spring of eternal youth. After reading the first several chapters of...
Curated OER
George Orwell's 1984
Eleventh graders engage in a literature study that is concerned with the strengthening of reading comprehension skills while they practice using context clues to arrange meaning to the text. The total assessments for this unit includes...
Curated OER
Scientists Write!
Learners use a journal to record observations. They make notes about what research may be needed to answer questions that have come up in the field and sketch or make connections in the curriculum. They research bioinformatics and...
Curated OER
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
Students explore why denominators need to match before adding (or subtracting) a fraction. They use unmarked fraction circles and marked fraction bars, to discover a method to add fractions with unlike denominators using equivalent...
Curated OER
How Characters Get What They Want
Sixth graders analyze the primary force that drives a character's actions in a character analysis lesson. In this character analysis lesson, 6th graders analyze how characters present their actions and participate in a group activity...
Curated OER
Nightjohn: Directed Reading Thinking Activity
Your readers will “get to wanting” and will want to know things about Nightjohn with a DRTA activity based on Gary Paulsen’s novel. Introduce the book by asking class members to examine the cover and to make predictions about the subject...
Curated OER
Nothing But the Truth: Anticipation Guide
“What does it mean to be patriotic?” “Should grades factor in to a student’s eligibility for extracurricular activities?” Class members complete an anticipation guide that asks them to respond to a series of statements that highlight...
Berkeley Engineering and Mentors
Darwin's Finches
Try a twist on the old finch beak and chopsticks activity by using M&Ms on a Twister mat. Spoons, knives, forks, and chopsticks represent beaks and are randomly assigned to your little birds, who must collect as much food as possible...
Curated OER
Cookie Dough Equivalence
Who doesn't love cookies? For this lesson, learners follow a recipe to make cookies, practicing their ability to compare fractions as they go. This is a wonderful way to motivate your class to practice this important skill.
Curated OER
Parts of Speech: Building Good Sentences
Using technology, 3rd graders will complete a reinforcement project to differentiate between nouns (common and proper), verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns. Using the teacher-made template, they will create PowerPoint slides on the...
Curated OER
Communication - An Introduction
Students define communication and identify its components. In this communication lesson, students read, discuss, and internalize the four pages of communication elements that include charts, vocabulary, and methods.
Curated OER
The Power of Our Words: Using Language that Promotes Nonviolence
Young scholars solve conflicts through nonviolent means. In this problem resolution lesson, students practice solving problems in different social settings. They try many nonviolent phrases and they create their own solutions.
Curated OER
Predicting Our Way to the Top
Fourth graders make predictions. In this prediction lesson students enter quotes into their journal as they read. They write down quotes from each chapter that they feel make predictions about the story.
Curated OER
Mrs. Moore's Question
Fifth graders answer a fictitious question asked by their school principal. After reading the question together, they write an appropriate response and show her what they have gathered about the circulatory system. They type their letter...