Ninth graders determine nucleotide sequences. They identify those base sequences that are normal, those that are normal variants and those that cause cystic fibrosis. Students use DNA nucleotide sequences to determine amino acid...

Fourth graders discuss the space shuttle and its parts. They vote on a class symbol to be placed on their models of the space shuttle. Students build a model of the space shuttle. They discuss the different media that they will use and...

Tenth graders develop an understanding of the Arab-Israeli conflict. They describe how each side has a valid claim to the Holy Land. They familiarize themselves with the challenges of settling this issue.

Students discover the meaning of a Norse runic message as they study a Vikings unit. In this Norse alphabet lesson, students decode a runic message as a part of a study about Vikings. Students earn the letters to decode the message as an...

Learners identify major rivers in the world. In this geography lesson, students form teams and play a whole class board game in which clues are read and rivers are identified.

Fourth graders explore the Underground Railroad. In this social studies instructional activity, 4th graders play the part of slaves and travel the "Underground Railroad" to freedom.

In this cloud cover activity, learners work in groups and are given a percentage of cloud cover to represent. They go around the room and predict the percentages that each group was given and determine the accuracy of their observations.

Most people realize they would weigh less if they were on the moon, but does it change how much weight you could lift if you were on the moon? Scholars adjust the mass of an object to be lifted and select between four different...

Whether or not it's a presidential election year, this debate activity will spark research on current political issues. Split your government scholars into 4 groups and assign each a political party. One person will be the "candidate"...

The 3 steps of the water cycle, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, are the focus of this lesson. After a neat demonstration of rain using hot water, a pie tin, and ice cubes, young scientists observe and discuss the elements...

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs) are totally preventable. Yet, the number of cases is on the rise. Why? This health lesson contains a lot of information about prevention, as well as a great activity about how...

This is a great way to get your scholars recalling the information they have learned about Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in a fun and interactive way! They begin by examining 10 statements and determining if they apply to 1, 2, or all...

Young scholars build bird nests. In this Science lesson, students consider climate, location, and structure when building their bird nest. Young scholars try to locate each other's nests within the activity site.

Students disperse seeds. For this Science lesson, students experiment with various ways to naturally disperse seeds. Students evaluate the effectiveness of the various ways to disperse seeds.

What better way to learn about different economic systems than to participate in them? An engaging bead game highlights the differences between market, command, and traditional economies. In small groups, 6th graders work through three...

When should you save, and when should you invest? In considering this question, your class members will also learn about the time value of money, inflation, compounded interest, and income/growth investments. The resource also outlines...

Students utilize a teacher created gold bearing river to understand the process of panning for gold.  In this gold panning lesson, students  participate in an activity to simulate gold panning.  Students might also...

Ninth graders design a proposal for a Martian colony to be presented to a group of their peers. They review their knowledge of Mars. Students evaluate for themselves which of their classmates proposal best fits their criteria.

The ways that animals adapt to their environments is quite remarkable. In this life science lesson, fifth graders take a look at some of the ways that aquatic animals that live in Arctic or Antarctic waters survive. They perform an...

Students simulate the effects of erosion on rocks. Students smash cookies into smaller pieces to simulate how sandstone is created from larger rocks. Students hypothesize the types of things that could break up rocks and whether sand...

Students explore the dispersal of animals.. Students take on the role of a specific animal. They simulate finding a new home due to overpopulation. Through hands-on activities performed during the simulation, students discover the area...

Primary source research, secondary source readings, and discussion provide the understanding necessary for students to create a colonial persona, and simulate a situation appropriate for this person, time, and place. While the lesson...

Here's a great way to host a simulated Olympic Games at school. Together, everyone designs an obstacle course, plays balloon volleyball, tumbling tornadoes, crosses the brook, and takes part in a cooperative race. If you want to, you can...

Students gain an understanding of how a bill becomes law. They access websites imbedded in this plan. They create a bill of their own, and share it with the class. They compare their simulated bills with real legislation.