Curated OER
Acute Triangles
Learners study acute triangles. They measure angles using a protractor, then classify the triangles as either right, obtuse, or acute. Everyone creates a design for a Navajo rug using only acute triangles.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #9 - Properties of Solar Radiation: Reflection, Transmission, and Absorption
Middle school science stars observe and record data on the solar radiation reflected off or transmitted through various materials. They predict properties for various materials, and test their predictions by touch. This instructional...
Perkins School for the Blind
Rubber Band Stretch
If you don't teach blind or visually impaired students, this lesson may seem a bit strange. But, it helps them develop motor skills, orientation and movement skills, and listening skills, while building a better understanding of...
Curated OER
You Have Egg On Your Face
Students explore and analyze how the human face is proportioned and explore ways artists use mathematics to make art. They demonstrate the basic face proportions by creating a reference sketch and illustrating visual clues to communicate...
Perkins School for the Blind
Tactile Journals
I absolutely love this idea. Children with visual impairments create tactile journals which describe an event from the previous week in an artistic way. They verbally describe one event from the previous week and then use a wide array of...
Perkins School for the Blind
Counting in Tactile Journals
This is one of those great ideas I totally love. Youngsters with visual impairments practice counting and left-to -right sequencing by counting out a set number of edible objects from the left and putting them in a bag on the right. They...
NOAA
Deep-Sea Ecosystems – Chemosynthesis for the Classroom
Photosynthesis was discovered in the 1770s, but chemosynthesis wasn't discovered until 1977. While many have performed an experiment to show how photosynthesis works, the activity allows pupils to observe chemosynthesis. Scholars set up...
Curated OER
CO2 Dragster Challenge CO2 Dragster Challenge
Eighth graders construct a car out of a block of basswood. For this car lesson students research, design and construct their own cars.
Curated OER
Greenhouse in a Bottle
Young atmospheric scientists create models of an atmosphere with and without clouds to determine the effect of cloud cover on Earth's temperatures, as well as figuring out whether dark or light surfaces absorb more energy. You may wish...
Curated OER
Concept Attainment Model: Volume and Surface Area
Using a concept attainment approach, learners identify surface area and volume by sorting examples (photos) that depict each concept (positive) from those that don't (negative). Then as a class, they develop definitions of each term...
Curated OER
Over in the Meadow
Pupils discover how to locate books on meadow and pond animals and research them. Students discover how to locate fiction/story books about the animals mentioned in the counting book read. Pupils discover how to locate by author, other...
Curated OER
Habitats
Learners examine how different living things interact with their environment. As a class, they discuss the characteristics of a habitat and write the list on the board. In groups, they focus on one habitat and create a mural of the...
Curated OER
Shaker Band
Students shake up some lively music. In this early childhood music and art lesson, students use a variety of materials to make shakers that will acquaint them with different rhythms and enhance their sensory awareness.
Curated OER
A Special Present
Students conduct an experiment to create a special gift. In this special gift lesson, students make a gift for someone using water, Epsom salt, essential oil and food coloring. Students can create a card to go with their present.
Curated OER
A Model Estuary
Students assemble a poster of an estuary showing the five communities of animals and plants that inhabit the estuary. They research the concept of an estuary and find photographs or diagrams of various estuaries to identify and see the...
Curated OER
The Color of Soil
Students are introduced to the Munsell System of Color Notation that is used for direct comparison of soils anywhere in the world. They become familiar with hue, value and chroma notations, identify colors that act as clues to the...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students investigate what simple machines are and how they work. In this simple machine lesson, the students create simple and compound machines and test each machine's ability to perform a task. Students compare simple machines to...
Curated OER
Biome Bazaar
Middle schoolers construct 3-D biomes. The ultimate goal of this activity is to allow students to be official tour guides and to teach one another about biomes, environmental responsibilities, habitats, and human roles in the various...
Curated OER
Paper Mache - Identity
Students identify characteristics of art of Ken Parker, create hand sculptures inspired by Ken Parker's work, develop skills related to working with paper mache, and create abstract versions of their hands.
Curated OER
Explore the Elements of Art
Students recognize elements of art such as texture, shape line and color. In this elements of art instructional activity, students create a still life picture with oil pastel or crayons. Students define elements of art vocabulary....
Curated OER
The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind
First graders read and explore the folktale, The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind. In this folktale lesson, 1st graders read the tale and describe the sun. There are several interdisciplinary extensions included: students illustrate...
Curated OER
How Does Art Feel
Students examine a variety of textures, one of the seven elements of design. They experiment with various media and techniques to produce different textures. Then they produce two works of art, one using actual textured material and one...
Curated OER
Magnificent Mummies
Sixth graders create paper mache mummies out of foil/balloon and paper, thus learning about one of the steps in the process of mummification. They study the importance of mummification, the rituals in handling the dead, and the process...
Curated OER
Animals, Soil, Trees
Fourth graders describe the various kinds of soils and how plants and animals are affected by them. They describe the baic needs of plants, scoring at least a 3 or 4 on a 4-point rubic. Students are able to predict and/or infer what...