Illustrative Mathematics
Shake and Spill
Entertaining as well as educational, this math activity about decomposing numbers is bound to capture the engagement of young learners. Given a cup and five two-color counters, young mathematicians simply shake and spill the cup,...
NASA
Lava Layering: Making and Mapping a Volcano
Looking for an out-of-this-world volcanic activity? Geologists study Earth's volcanic history and the neighboring planet Mars by modeling volcanic eruptions, lava flows, and building a shield volcano. Participants use graph paper and...
Curated OER
Connecting Letters and Memory
Elementary students with mild to moderate mental disabilities use a variety of tools to connect letter sounds to images. They use flash cards, posters, and writing while saying to connect letter image to phonemic equivalent. Then, they...
Curated OER
Form and Observation
Use a familiar song and adorable baby animal pictures to teach youngsters about genetic variation. Begin by listening to "Twelve Variations on 'Ah vous dirai-je Maman,'" which you will need to find online (there are several versions...
Tutankhamun
Pharaohs, Pyramids and the World of the Gods
Your young historians will learn all about the pharaohs, pyramids, and gods of ancient Egypt with these informational text worksheets, each of which are accompanied by hands-on, follow-up activities.
Carolina K-12
Get Involved! - Civic Participation Project
What better way to learn about civic responsibility's importance than to experience it? From the opportunity to volunteer in an elected official's office and participate in a political campaign to observations of school board and city...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
What’s the Smallest Thing You Know?
Elementary learners listen to a story, then sort objects from largest to smallest at six different stations around the classroom. Adaptable for a large range of age and ability groups.
Positively Autism
Song: Eye Contact When Greeting
When you say hello to someone, look at their eyes! Set to the tune of "When You're Happy and You Know It," this activity helps learners on the autism spectrum build a valuable social and conversational skill.
Core Knowledge Foundation
Chaos within the Living World? NOT!
What are the five kingdoms? Fifth graders engage in a series of investigations and research activities focused on the methods of classification used by scientists, as well as the language they use to describe the similarities and...
Center for History Education
Continuity or Change? African Americans in World War II
While World War II was a pivotal moment in history, historians debate its importance to the civil rights movement. Class members consider the implications of segregation and the war using a series of documents and a jigsaw activity....
Newseum
Civil War: Encoding the News
Young journalists learn to appreciate the advantages of how modern media technology enables rapid news delivery as they compare today's media revolution to how the telegraph and Morse Code revolutionized news coverage during the Civil...
Curated OER
Ways to Reinforce Learning with Meaningful Activities
There are many ways to reinforce learning with student-designed or creative assignments.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Using DNA to Explore Lizard Phylogeny
In a fun and interactive two-day lesson, learners sort anole lizard pictures by appearance. Next, they watch a video about the anoles and re-sort based on the information in the video. In addition to physical characteristics, budding...
Griffen Publishing
Learning From the Past
The big idea for this lesson plan is that the past enriches our present and future. Learners explore the origin of the Olympic Games and how one man took an event from the past and reinvented it for modern times. They compare and...
Curated OER
Haring Style Drawings
Students recognize the characteristics of a Keith Haring artwork. In this Keith Haring artwork lesson, students draw a picture and outline with oil pastel in the style of Keith Haring. Students answer questions about the...
Curated OER
CSI Lesson Plans Can Turn Students Into Learning Detectives
Children learn to use the methods of good detection for solving a crime, and even analyzing literature.
Curated OER
Sports and Exercise Activity
Eighth graders practice utilizing motor skills by participating in different sports activities. For this physical education lesson, 8th graders participate in racquetball, shuttle cock, and baseball style activities in order to...
Curated OER
Learning Styles
Learners discuss different ways to learn new things. For this english lesson, students interview each other and summarize their findings. They share their result to the group.
Curated OER
Black Tiger Academy Martial Arts Fitness Unit – Lesson 4
“Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.”—William James. Black Tiger Academy’s martial arts lesson four of 20 introduces several other styles of martial arts and a little...
Curated OER
Further Improvements of Writing Skills
Improve writing skills by finding a personal writing style, using descriptive language effectively, and using precise language. Middle schoolers discuss individual style in writing and formal and informal language. They utilize figures...
Curated OER
Deck Tennis
Seventh graders study deck tennis. For this lesson that can be adapted to teach movement, passing and positioning in any sport, 7th graders toss and catch a rubber ring, students of varying abuilities will be able to participate in this...
Curated OER
MLA Citation practice
Do your writers have a hard time properly citing their sources in MLA style? Use this SMART board activity to practice these skills in a fun, interactive way. After debating a topic in class (the lesson uses "random drug testing in...
Curated OER
Mondrian - Primary/Secondary Color Study
Utilizing computer software, learners demonstrate the color spectrum. They investigate the life of the artist Piet Mondrian and define his style of artwork. Then they use Photoshop to recreate some of his designs while discovering the...
Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment
Relationships and Sexuality
Developing close personal and romantic relationships requires its own set of skills. This session focuses on helping teens develop behaviors and strategies for dealing with romantic relationships, rather than on sharing personal...