Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Beneficial Insects

For Students 4th - 5th Standards
A lot of people think of insects as pests. But actually, some insects are beneficial because they get rid of pests! After learning about beneficial insects, class members research given insects to find out if they are pests or predators.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Economics: Incentives, Profit, and the Entrepreneur

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss both positive and negative economic incentives. In this lecture-based lesson, they examine a simulation about profiteering drug companies and what might happen if the FDA controlled drug production.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rain Game

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
It's raining, it's pouring! Simulate the precipitation process with rope or hula hoop and assorted colored construction paper. This simple game should give young students a better understanding of how rain falls.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Disperse or Decrease

For Teachers 5th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organizing Principles of Plants and Animals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Three lessons and five assessments are contained in this material. Various paper shapes are sorted as a simulation of biological classification. Learners gather a list of living things that they are familiar with and design a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetic Variability

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Using black and white construction paper, evolutionary biologists simulate the classic peppered moth study. They use beans in a frequency and natural selection exercise. Finally, they analyze germinated seeds for variations. All three...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Word of the Day

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students use Internet to research definition of an assigned vocabulary word, and brainstorm ideas for how to teach the new word to classmates in an innovative way using a digital format.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Word of the Day

For Teachers K - 12th
Students practice using their new vocabulary word by creating an original iMovie project based on that word.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are the Components of a Good Interview?

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Class members develop interview questions and then one volunteer interviews a new principal (the instructor) while the entire class watches and takes notes. Participants then individually consider an interesting angle from which the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do Species Become Extinct?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine reasons that animals become extinct. They participate in a simulation to discover that animals loss of home is the main factor that puts species near extinction in North America. Students examine over-hunting and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Computers At Work

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners develop simulated businesses, and identify the ways in which their businesses might use computers. They write job descriptions and help wanted ads for the employees who would be responsible for using computers in their businesses.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Globalization"

For Teachers 10th - 12th
An interesting activity that will spark a great class discussion on globalization and wealth distribution around the world. Each group is asked to accomplish the same task, but are not given equal access to materials. It is up to them to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bears of Banff

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students pretend they have just entered a national park. They imagine that the park borders are all impassable mountains, and students will play the role of grizzly bears. Students list three things every animal needs to survive, in this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Try a Money Bee for a "Change"

For Teachers K - 12th
Students take the spelling bee format and adapt it to provide practice in making change and work on their money skills. They simulate the process of making purchases with money and making change as necessary to complete the purchase.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Let us Reason Together" Lyndon Johnson, Master Legislator

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils explore the contributions of Lyndon B. Johnson. In this congress lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on the prowess of Lyndon B. Johnson's legislative skills. Pupils respond to discussion questions connected to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gandhi's Salt March, A Simulation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Gandhi's Salt March. In this peace and tolerance lesson, students discuss the Salt Tax Levy that was imposed in India. Students then debate how the Indian National Congress should have handled the issue.
Lesson Plan
Mathalicious

Pic Me!

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Finally! Math and Instagram have come together to discuss the correlation between likes and followers. High schoolers can't help but want to discover what makes one account more popular than another by developing a line of best fit and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Good Government Is Hard to Build

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the challenges that Iraqi leaders are facing while working to create a new government. They engage in a class simulation in which they create a new governing council to preside over their school.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hi, Deer!

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students collect, organize by table, and examine census data in a simulation, estimate the size of the population in the simulation and make predictions based on the collection of census simulation data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crash Test Smarties

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share hypotheses about the variables needed to produce a collision between two moving objects. They simulate the impact of a moving object on an object that creates a spray of debris, and simulate a NASA Deep Impact study.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keep on Standing!!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students conduct research on the Internet about earthquakes and buildings that have withstood them. They suggest designs for future buildings. They create models of their suggested designs. Their models are tested in an earthquake...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Clone of Your Own: The Legal Issues and the Future of Genetic Engineering on Humans

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders define cloning in their own words and examine the different types of cloning. After reading an article, they summarize it in their own words and use the internet to research the history of cloning. In groups, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Down Low Talk Show

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine popular fashion trends and their personal tastes in clothing styles. They explore the legislation and controversy over wearing pants too low by reading and discussing the article "Are Your Jeans Sagging? Go Directly to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Race for the Double Helix

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students participate in an ethics-based simulation. In this ethics lesson, students role play research scientists working to decipher a code. Students work in small collaborative groups and must interact with other small groups to...