University of Minnesota
Dendritic Spines Lab
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
Missouri Department of Elementary
My Conflict Shield
As an exercise in self-awareness and improvement, class members create a Conflict Shield listing 12 skills they believe are the most useful in conflict resolution. They then color the ones they have mastered while leaving uncolored those...
EngageNY
Mid-Unit Assessment: Completing My Draft Position Paper
What's the difference? Scholars analyze the similarities and differences between introductory and concluding paragraphs. Then, using a model essay as a guide, they write their draft position papers.
Illustrative Mathematics
Field Day Scarcity
Introduce young mathematicians to concepts of financial literacy with this open-ended word problem. With seven dollars to spend during field day and given a list of available items and their prices, children must determine how they want...
Curated OER
Global Environmental Issues: Air and Water Pollution
Thinking about designing a project for your social studies or environmental science classes? Use an overview of a project that prompts class groups to research an environmental issue.
PBS
Invisible Force
Investigate invisible forces. Young engineers design a setup that changes the direction of a steel ball using a magnetic force. The purpose of the setup is to model the gravitational pull of spacecraft by planetary bodies.
Social Studies School Service
“Duck and Cover” (Civil Defense)
Bert the Turtle models for viewers the 1950s Civil Defense Duck and Cover strategy that was supposed to protect citizens from a nuclear blast. After viewing the video, watchers are asked to consider the motivations of the producers of...
Brigham Young University
Computer Age
Theater arts class members get a chance to see how professionals employ tech tools. As they sketch, render, build models, and prepare presentations of the set design for a current show, learners either visit a professional theater or by...
Overcoming Obstacles
Completing Applications
Following directions is an important skill for any grade level. High schoolers work follow directions to an activity that focuses on filling out college and job applications.
NPR
Prototype the Solution
It's always nice to see what the solution looks like. Groups build a prototype of their solution to the plastics problem in the sixth installment of a 10-part unit. The prototypes can be either a visual prototype or a working prototype.
Purdue University
Global Design for the Seasons
People don't all get the same amount of sun at the same time of the year. Collaborative groups explore how the motion of Earth contributes to the idea in an inquiry-based STEM lesson. Learners first investigate how the rotation of Earth...
Curated OER
Try Tessellation
Most middle schoolers probably feel that quilting is at best an activity left to their grandmothers. This lesson uses the Zome modeling system to get them to realize how shapes in quilting are really tessellations and repeating patterns....
Curated OER
Computation with Fractions
Upper graders are introduced to the topic of fractions and percentages. In groups, they discuss real world situations in which fractions are present, and they complete a worksheet solving problems with common and uncommon denominators....
Curated OER
Traditional Writing vs. Collaborative Writing
Students examine language arts by completing a group activity. In this writing styles lesson, students define and discuss the differences between collaborative writing and traditional writing while answering questions in a Smart Board...
Curated OER
You've Got Chocolate on my Peanut Butter
Students solve design problems. In this art and design lesson plan, students create a picture by analyzing two others, and make a prototype of a building. The small group activities call for creativity and ingenuity as well as the...
Curated OER
Insect Models
Students explore insects and have many opportunities to discuss, reflect, and record their explorations individually and in groups. They then make models of the insects as outlined in the lesson.
Curated OER
Bait bucket Poetry
Learners create poems using a group of four predetermined words. In this poetry instructional activity students incorporate each of the four words into a poem that makes sense.
Curated OER
Model Volcanoes
Students discover what causes earthquakes, volcanoes and floods. Using this information, they discuss how these natural disasters change the surface of the Earth. In groups, they make models, draw pictures and make them erupt.
Curated OER
Isolated Children and their Development
Students analyze a case study. In this child development lesson, students read case studies on children who are isolated and their development. Students break into groups, read the case study, and summarize their thoughts. Students then...
Curated OER
Friendship in the Media
Second graders discuss what characteristics friendship has and the traits that make people unique. In this friendship lesson, 2nd graders talk about what friendship looks like in the media. In groups, students think about...
Curated OER
Modeling Integer Multiplication
Pupils multiply positive and negative integers. They represent word expressions with both positive and negative integers and then multiply them. They also create multiplication problems to solve as a class. They create a rhyme, a story,...
Curated OER
Co-Operation: Drama
For some schools, character-counts lessons are a big part of the curriculum. This resource focuses on following directions and the importance of being a cooperative team player. Learners role-play a variety of situations by being...
Curated OER
Origami Ducks: Geometry, Listening, and Following Directions
Make origami ducks with your class to reinforce geometry concepts and vocabulary; develop fine motor and visual translation skills; and enrich study of Japanese culture, the pond habitat, or migration. Create a whole group "worksheet"...
Energy for Keeps
Going for a Spin: Making a Model Steam Turbine
Discover the effectiveness of wind, water, and steam as energy sources. The hands-on activity has young scientists create a turbine from common materials. After constructing the turbines, they use wind, water, and steam to turn them and...