Making Generalizations Teacher Resources
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Oak trees, maple, pine. Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the individual trees. Yet by examining the common characteristics of these woody giants, you can formulate a broad statement that considers what different types of trees have in common. Developing critical thinking skills, analyzing information, recognizing patterns, and testing generalization is essential for 21st century learners.
Lesson Planet has a cache of resources designed to encourage these critical thinking skills in learners of all ages. Young scientists conduct experiments to determine the relative energy content of both fats and carbohydrates while geometrists use an interactive to manipulate side lengths and make generalizations about the types of special right triangles. Instructors can assess middle schoolers understanding of data distribution with a resource that asks kids to analyze and make general observations about dot plots or engage young economists in making generalizations based on the data included in charts and graphs.
21st century learners must be able to think flexibly, generalize, and apply knowledge to new situations. Apps, lesson and unit plans, activities, worksheets, and reading comprehension exercises that teach these skills can all be found in our reviewed and rated collection of resources.
Showing 17,736 resources
Curated OER
Personality Adjectives
Men are sneakier then women! ESL/ELL classmates are asked to consider whether each word in a list of personality adjectives describes a positive or negative quality or whether the word could describe both positive and negative qualities....
Scholastic
Study Jams! Heredity
Mia wishes her blue hair was inherited so that she wouldn't have to dye it, but Sam explains that eye color is. The video does not expound upon the concept of alleles. It does, however, describe inherited traits vs. learned behavior, and...
Scholastic
Study Jams! Scientific Theory & Evidence
Introduce someday scientists to ideas and explanations about how the world around us works by showing this cute cartoon. In it, Mia and Sam discuss what scientific theory is, and how it is important in discovering scientific laws making...
Khan Academy
Electoral College
The United States Electoral College can be a confusing concept for young learners at first glance; however, this instructional video will help clear up that confusion with a clear explanation of how electors are allocated and the...
TED-Ed
A Guide to the Energy of the Earth
What is energy, anyway? Use this featurette as an introduction to your middle school energy unit. It successfully touches each of Earth's physical systems, the sun as our main source of energy, and the flow of energy through the food...
Jacob Clifford
Nominal and Real GDP
How can we provide a true measurement of GDP when dollar values increase over time as a result of inflation? Review the concept of nominal versus real GDP with your class members with this quick and informative video.
Realistic Preparedness
First Aid Kit
Here is the perfect resource to support learners in designing comprehensive first aid kits tailored to their unique location, budget, and needs. This is an excellent supplement to your instruction on emergency preparedness!
Austin Independent School District
Forearm Pass/Setting
Here is a beautifully designed volleyball lesson plan on the forearm pass/bump and overhead pass/set. It includes a detailed multimedia presentation and set of instructional guidelines, skill cues, and lists of strategies for...
K-State Research and Extensions
Crystal Shapes
Of quartz I love geology! The chapter offers five activities at three different levels. It features hands-on activities that cover crystal shapes, cleavage and fracture, hardness scale, specific gravity, and mineral...
K-State Research and Extensions
You Ol’ Fossil
Geologists are gneiss, tuff, and a little bit wacke. The fifth chapter of seven includes ten activities at four different levels. The hands-on activities cover fossils including how they are formed, vertebrates, invertebrates,...
K-State Research and Extensions
Water
How are maps like fish? They both have scales. The chapter includes six different activities at three different levels. Scholars complete activities using natural resources, learn how to read a map, see how to make a compass rosette,...
PhET
Wave on a String
The sound waves of thunder are made when lightning very quickly heats the air surrounding it, expanding faster than the speed of sound. Learners explore waves through their own movement of string or set waves to constantly oscillate....
Street Law
The Challenge of Selecting an Ideal Supreme Court Nominee
Nearly every president has had the opportunity to name a nominee to the United States Supreme Court. But what makes someone an ideal candidate to become a Supreme Court justice? High schoolers test their prior knowledge about the...
School Sparks
Christmas Worksheets for Santa's Little Helpers
Just because children aren't in the classroom over winter break, doesn't mean that learning has to stop. Intended as a resource for parents, this eBook provides Christmas-themed worksheets and activities that engage children in...
Read It Later, Inc
Can't read this now, I'll have to check it out later. A teacher's time is always limited. So often as we peruse the web for personal and professional content, we come across sites and information that we cannot immediately...
Free Printable Behavior Charts
Pet Care Charts
Involve kids in the care of pets at home or in the classroom by assigning tasks using these pet care charts The list of tasks are recorded on a matrix in the left-hand column and the days of the week are indicated in the first row...
University of Minnesota
Chemotaxis Using C. elegans
Have you ever wondered what roundworms are like? Or what they don't like? Explore the sensory preferences of C. elegans through this controlled chemotaxis experiment. Biology class members brainstorm what substances might attract—or...
NOAA
What's the Big Deal?
Who knew that a possible answer to Earth's energy resource problems was lurking deep beneath the ocean's surface? Part four of a six-part series introduces Earth Science pupils to methane hydrate, a waste product of methanogens. After...
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
Examples of Social and Emotional Learning in Elementary Mathematics Instruction
A 12-page document lists an abundance of math-related activities that boost social and emotional topics; self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.
Curated OER
General Climate Concepts
Students are taught how to use the climatology section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho. They discuss the major factors influencing climate. Students gather and synthesize new information to enrich their comprehension of climate factors.
Curated OER
Evaluating General Web Search Tools: Which are Best?
Students develop a topic statement or research question. They examine the best use of search engines and directories to effectively retrieve good information.
Curated OER
Geography General Space
Students work together to explore states and/or countries while designing their movement area for the day.
Curated OER
D-Day Message from General Eisenhower to General Marshall
Students use documents in the National Archives of the United States to evaluate the effectiveness of D-Day.
Curated OER
General Web Search Tools: An Introduction
Students study the three major web search tools: search engines, directories, and metasearch engines. They examine the appropriate times to use each of the search tools.
