Exploratorium
Measuring and Mapping the Playground
The school playground is a great place to learn about math. Pupils measure the dimensions of a playground using baby steps and individual strides. They use their measurements to create a scale drawing of the playground by applying an...
Curated OER
Math: Designing a Playground
Sixth graders design and draw a model playground to scale. They configure the layout to include a sandbox, slide, baseball field and other equipment. Their design includes adaptations for students with disabilities. Their designs are...
Curated OER
Playground Mapping
Students convert their physical models of a playground from a previous lesson into a map of the playground that includes a scale and key. They examine and discuss examples of maps, view an image to map photo essay, and create a map using...
Illustrative Mathematics
Shape Hunt Part 1
The hunt is on! Send young mathematicians on a search for shapes in the first lesson of this two-part series. Each time a child finds a hidden shape, he draws it on his paper, and continues searching for the rest. Perform this activity...
Curated OER
Motion of the Sun and Earth: Using a Playground Model to Explore Rotation and Revolution
Learners experience the rotation of the Earth and the Sun and the Earth's revolution around the Sun, using a playground mode.
Curated OER
Playground Mapping
Learners review their physical models of the objects on their playground at school. Using the model, they convert it into a map with a scale and key. To end the lesson plan, they use the map to locate different objects and measure the...
Curated OER
Adopt A Twig
Sixth graders explore leafless twigs and identify leaf buds. In this forest resources activity students complete a lab activity that shows them how to identify tree and leaf identification.
Curated OER
The Great Wall of China Lesson
Fourth graders explore The Great Wall of China and use materials to make a class Great Wall of China students measure a portion of the classroom, school or playground and construct a "Great Wall" to scale.
Curated OER
Creating a Map
Third graders examine the process of creating an accurate map, and create a map of their playground. They identify what objects are on their playground, and discuss what is found on a map. Students then draw a map of their playground...
Curated OER
Schoolyard Geology
Discover that maps show information about an area and that they have common features like scales and legends. View an aerial map of your school and find features on the map such as the playground, roads, and trees. Trace the outline of...
Curated OER
Creating The Blueprints
Students engage in a lesson in order to create blueprints to design an original floorplan. They use graphing paper and drawing tools to demonstrate knowledge of the lesson objectives. Students label and use the right kind of proportions...
Curated OER
GPS Art
Students design their own logo or picture and use a handheld GPS receiver to map it out. They write out a word or graphic on a field or playground, walk the path, and log GPS data. The results display their "art" on their GPS receiver...
Curated OER
Arctic Microclimates
Students identify, measure, and average micro-climatic temperatures in a particular region. They draw a small-scale map of an area to be sampled (classroom, playground, park, backyard) and identify potential locations for...
Curated OER
The Great Wall of China
Students examine the Great Wall of China. In this world wonders lesson, students discover facts about the wall and its construction as they research the landmark. Students build their own replica of the wall in their classroom.