Unit Plan
Colorado Unit Writing Project

Simple Machines

For Teachers 2nd - 5th Standards
Planning an elementary science unit has never been simpler! These twelve lessons guide young scientists through an exploration of simple machines and their many uses in the real world before asking them to apply their learning...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Production: Specialization and Division of Labor - Grade Three

For Teachers 3rd
Learn about the concept of specialization of labor with your class. In this specialization of labor lesson plan, 3rd graders work in teams to produce a product. They work in either a division of labor or independent production method....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Ecosystem

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners take a field trip and explore a temperate rainforest. In this rainforest lesson plan, students discuss many items they see on their journey and experiment with different tree leaves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Neanderthals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study Neanderthals. In this Prehistoric life lesson, students investigate two main theories regarding the relationship between Neanderthals and modern man. Students will conduct research through several provided web sites and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why All Maps Lie

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover the fundamental advantages/disadvantages of both maps and globes. They see that maps may distort size, shape, distance and direction. They discuss the advantages and applications of 5 types of map projections and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oragami Village Diorama

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas. Then they select and evaluate a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Land 207

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine maps of different projections, mathematically calculate distortions, and note the advantages and disadvantages of each map. They study the different maps and transfer the map to graph paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Robert Fulton and the Steamboat, "Trail of Tears"

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders study Fulton and his Steamboat, the "Trail of Tears," the Oregon Trail, the Transcontinental Railroad and the Pony Express in this series of lessons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Community Centered Neighborhood Development

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the culture of the neighborhood.  In this Social Studies activity, 9th graders examine the different development sites in their community.  Students research the zoning regulations. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Archery

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students study archery. In this archery activity, students develop basic archery and hunter safety skills. Students discuss the history of archery and bow hunting.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Women in the Civil War

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the Civil War era in the US with a concentration on women during this time through literature and biographies. They create a timeline or multimedia presentation as one product of this series of lessons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wish You Were Here! - Collaborative Literacy Project

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore videos, software and print resources to investigate the concept of community. Students write poems about their town and illustrate them for a collaborative literacy project.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in Space

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners explore space science by viewing a video in class. In this astronaut lesson, students identify the living habits of astronauts by researching the NASA website and observing a space science video in class. Learners participate in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Contact Angle. Interfacial Tension and Wetting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the contact angle of water on different surfaces. In this physics lesson, students calculate their percent error using a mathematical formula. They explain the advantages of using non-wetting surface for certain...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Two-Dimensional Drawings from Three Dimensional Objects

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders identify and replicate two dimensional illustrations of three dimensional objects. In this spatial visualization instructional activity, 6th graders practice viewing objects from various sides. Student participate in...
Lesson Plan
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Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington's Rules of Civility

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners examine George Washington's belief in etiquette and respect for others, which he achieved by following 110 rules of civility, and create their own rule of civility.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Junk Mail Overload!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students discuss the "junk mail nuisance" with the teacher and share their opinions on the problem. Students collect a week's worth of junk mail, bring to class and complete a chart about the amount and weight. Students then complete an...