Here are some outstanding lessons on the geology and history of the Great Lakes. These lessons are divided into Grade 4 -6, and Grade 7 - 8 activities. The activities all use the background information, maps, graphs, data, and Great...

Math: The only subject where the solution to a problem is seven million matches. Young scholars first complete an assessment task estimating the number of matches they can make from a tree of given dimensions. They then evaluate provided...

Examine an innovative approach to a large-scale model. Pupils across the state of Maine teamed up to create a model of the solar system that spans 40 miles. Put thinking skills to work within your classes as they make the calculations to...

Students plot constellations on a grid map. They discuss the various ways early explorers planned their travels. Students identify and recognize major constellations. They color their maps and take them home to try to find various...

Hands-on and real-world applications are great ways to teach mathematical concepts. Creative thinkers examine how ratios are used to create scale models of buildings and structures. They practice working with ratios by looking at a map...

Drive or take the school bus? Class members determine the amount each student would have to pay in a carpool situation. They then evaluate  the cost in a set of provided examples. I think I'd rather take the school...

Here is an exciting exploration of a fascinating topic for your emerging ecologists: bird migration! They begin by visiting the US Fish & Wildlife Service website to discover which Arctic birds come to their areas. They are assigned...

Ninth graders explore weather by analyzing maps. In this temperature activity, 9th graders view black and white weather maps of locations in which the weather changes often. Students identify the isolines used on the maps and utilize the...

Young scholars investigate integrals. For this math lesson, students relate real world situation to investing. They may visit a local business to do this assignment.

Students investigate how the forest affects their daily lives by creating a concept map.  In this ecological instructional activity, students create a concept map linking the forest to the many things they use each day....

Students explore reasons for varied salinity in bodies of water. In this geographical inquiry lesson plan, students use a variety of visual and written information including maps, data tables, and graphs, to form a hypothesis as to why...

You'll return to this resource again .. .and again ... and again. Class members determine the maximum profit of a boomerang-making business by solving a system of equations. They then review and analyze provided sample responses to...

After completing an assessment task where they express numbers as the difference of squares (i.e., 9 = 5^2 – 4^2), class members note any patterns that they see in the problems.

After completing a task involving examining the ratio of areas of triangles and circles in a given figure, scholars examine sample responses to identify other strategies they could use to solve the problem.

There is often more to data than meets the eye. Scholars learn that they need to analyze data before making conclusions as they look at data that describes the number of candy bars boys and girls eat. They disprove a given conclusion and...

Students create a project applying their math skills as they discuss energy conservation. In this geometry lesson plan, students define vocabulary relating to the environment and energy conservation. They construct a building that allow...

What did the triangle say to the circle? You're pointless! Class members will get the point when they investigate relationships between side lengths of a triangle using the Triangle Inequality Theorem. Pupils then create an...

Circles are the foundation of many geometric concepts and extensions - a point that is thoroughly driven home in this extensive unit. Fundamental properties of circles are investigated (including sector area, angle measure, and...

Introducing inverse functions! The 20th installment of a 35-part lesson encourages scholars to learn the definition of inverse functions and how to find them. The lesson considers all types of functions, not just exponential and...

Sometimes simple is just better. A set of activities teaches young mathematicians about using plausible estimation to solve problems. They break problems down to simpler problems, use rounding and estimation strategies, and consider...

Students research the historical and present movements of bananas. Using maps, they locate the countries in which the fruit is grown and identify common characteristics between the banana-growing countries. They also trace the movement...

Students create their own "weather" map using data from x-ray sources. They analyze and discuss why it is important to organize data in a fashion in which is easy to read. They compare and contrast different x-ray sources using a stellar...

Students explore and discuss hurricanes, and examine how meteorologists, weather officers, and NASA researchers use measurement and data analysis to predict severe weather. They plot points on coordinate map, classify hurricanes...

Middle schoolers practice estimating distance traveled while walking. Also can be used to introduce backpacking/hiking or as a daily warm-up. Measure the blacktop/cafeteria/playground, then determine how many times around make a mile.