Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Genetic Counseling Game

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young scholars explore genetics and ethical issues. They siimulate the role of genetic counselors, perform fictitious tests, and gather information about parents and fetuses in case studies. Students describe the condition and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymer Rockets

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students examine polymer rockets and complete an activity.  In this rockets lesson students design, create and test a polymer rocket and have a blast off competition. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Weight Affect Drag?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate how weight affects a parachute's rate of fall.  In this investigative lesson students test parachutes, average results and conclude what makes a faster descent.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Sample Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners test the pH of soil samples they collected from the field trip. In this chemistry lesson, students differentiate acids and bases. They write a lab report about the experiment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymerization Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the process of polymerization. In this chemistry instructional activity, students produce carboxylesterase in the lab. They test its effectiveness in removing the by-product odor.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mimicry: Other Insects That Resemble Bees

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners design a conceptual experiment to test whether mimics actually benefit from the fact they resemble other organisms or objects. They define the term mimicry. They focus on insects that resemble bees and wasps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Computer (Keyboarding)

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students practice typing the letters on the left side of the home row of keys. They complete time tests and examine their results. They discover words from those letters as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ESL Network: Exploring Racial Identity

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders drill for the Regents Comprehensive Exam in English by answering questions about selected readings as preparation for writing essays. After answering the questions, they compose essays adhering to formal written Spanish...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spot Identification of Some of the Most Common Insect Orders

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the basic characteristics of insect orders and develop short-cut techniques to identify insects into twelve of the most common orders. They use captured specimens and photographs to practice identification and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toboggan Science

For Teachers 3rd - 10th
Students conduct toboggan time trials to investigate the variables that have the greatest effect on toboggan speed. In small groups, they develop a hypothesis to test and perform three trials on the toboggan run for each variable.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines, Odd Machine

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine levers and design a machine that uses a lever as a central component.  In this lever machine lesson students test various machine designs and evaluate their effectiveness.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sled Kite

For Teachers K - 8th
Pupils make and fly a sled kite out of plastic garbage bags, dowel rods, and more. In this kite lesson plan, students plan the kite to have symmetry and make adjustments as they test it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Old is that Cookie?

For Teachers K - 6th
Students investigate adaptation.  In this cookie age activity, students examine changes and variations in chocolate chips in cookies in preparation for determining the age of trees using lines.  Students discuss how the age of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Age of Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students study the Age of Exploration. For this Exploration lesson, students prepare for a test on the lesson by discovering details about the explorers of the age as they view a PowerPoint presentation. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cool Suits

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the materials that are used to make space suits. They complete an experiment in which they test different materials in different colors to determine the best one for keeping astronauts comfortable. They analyze the data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Money and Business

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use play money to complete tasks that allow them to see if the budget they came up with works. In this budget lesson plan, 3rd graders create their own budget and test it out with the play money.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Connection, Using Metaphor

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Chief Seatle's "Letter to President Pierce, 1855" provides the text for a skills exercise that asks readers to consider how writers use metaphors to contribute to the meaning and impact of a work. Participants then apply what they have...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Deciding the Mode

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Are your young writers having difficulty distinguishing between expository and persuasive writing? Discuss the difference between the two, and how some prompts can be responded to in either fashion. Included here is a simple lesson plan...
Lesson Plan
Virginina Department of Education

Combining Ideas into an Effective Sentence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Here is a lesson that is best utilized as reinforcement in identifying sentences that combine independent/dependent clauses, and phrases that are awkward, fragmented or complete. Learners use the red, yellow, and green light method...
Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

See the Genes

For Teachers 10th - 12th
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough" - Albert Einstein. The sixth installment of a seven-part series teaches young scientists about the importance of being able to communicate scientific research and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Predicting the Meaning of Unfamiliar Words in a Text

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers develop strategies for what to do when they come upon words in a text that they don't know. After a class discussion, pupils are given a selection of text that contains some very difficult words. They are instructed to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Figurative Language- Identifying Onomatopoeia

For Teachers 5th
A study of onomatopoeia for 5th graders is here for you. Pupils discover that the use of highly descriptive language makes it possible for readers to picture objects in their minds. After engaging in a class discussion and listening to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding and Using Root Words to Expand Vocabulary

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers engage in a lesson which reminds them that root words indicate the base meaning of a word, and that those roots are found in many different words that have similar meanings. Pairs of pupils use construction paper and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prewriting, Using Pictures

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young readers practice getting information from both the text and the illustrations found in books they are reading. They see that quite often, authors use pictures to help them get their writing process started. Youngsters are invited...