Illustrative Mathematics
Walk-a-thon 2
During a walk-a-thon your learners must determine the walking rate of Julianna's progress. Using tables, graphs, and an equation, they must be able to calculate the time it took her to walk one mile and predict her distance based on the...
University of Minnesota
Fraction Operations and Initial Decimal Ideas
Add another strategy to the toolboxes of young mathematicians with this elementary math lesson on using number lines to add and subtract fractions.
NOAA
Oceans of Energy
Are the earth's oceans really just giant batteries, waiting for their energy to be harnessed? Middle school mechanical engineers will be shocked by the amazing amount of energy that forms around them after diving into part four of a...
Curated OER
What You See Is What You Read
Using the popular text Franklin Goes to the Hospital, youngsters make predictions by looking at the cover of the book. They draw their predictions, listen to the story, and compare their predictions to what actually happened in the...
Curated OER
Shakespeare and The Globe
A PowerPoint fill-in-the-blanks exam that tests learners knowledge of the life and times of William Shakespeare? Why not? The presentation could be used as a general review or as an introductory activity to assess prior knowledge.
Curated OER
Rates of Chemical Reactions
Review key terms after your lecture about chemical reactions with this crossword puzzle. Eleven questions prompt students to refer to their textbooks, lecture notes, and prior knowledge. This assignment would be a good homework...
Prestwick House
Vocabulary Lesson
Vocabulary instruction works best when taught within a larger context. A vocabulary activity builds connections by using synonyms to help learn the meaning of new words. This helps connect the words to prior knowledge and give them context.
Curated OER
Using a Story: Miko the Monkey
Students discuss prior knowledge about monkeys with teacher and take a "Monkey Facts" quiz. In this language arts lesson, students make flash cards of vocabulary words and listen as teacher read Miko the Monkey. Students complete a...
Curated OER
Nonfiction: Genre Focus Lesson
Students explore works of nonfiction. In this nonfiction genre focus lesson, students activate prior knowledge of nonfiction, identify the types of narrative and informative nonfiction, and analyze a word of nonfiction.
Curated OER
Saving the Bay
Students investigate water pollution prevention. In this ecology wastewater lesson, students activate prior knowledge about sewage, then view a video explaining the waste water sewage system used in the San Francisco Bay area. Students...
Curated OER
Story of a Bluebird
First graders build comprehension skills. In this reading comprehension lesson, 1st graders activate prior knowledge and create text to self connection in preparation for reading. Students read Story of a Bluebird and complete a...
Mathalicious
On Your Mark
With many factors leading to a great athlete, does height make Usain Bolt unfairly fast? Middle schoolers conduct analysis to change the running distance of the Olympic races to be proportional to the height of the participants. They...
Mathalicious
Domino Effect
Carryout the lesson to determine the cost of pizza toppings from a Domino's Pizza® website while creating a linear model. Learners look through real data—and even create their own pizza—to determine the cost of each topping. They...
Curated OER
Afghanistan: People, Places and Politics
Students discuss their prior knowledge of Afghanistan. They work together to complete a study guide about Afghanistan's people and places. They present their information to the class.
Curated OER
Wetlands in Our State
Fifth graders access prior knowledge to create a KWL about the wetlands. In this wetlands lesson, 5th graders research to answer the questions in their KWL.
Curated OER
Heightening Awareness
Students review their prior knowledge about Haiti. They examine violence in Haiti by reading and discussing "HAITIAN FORCES BATTLING UPRISING REPORT RETAKING 3 TOWNS." In groups, students research specific time periods of Haitian history...
Curated OER
Scenario Challenge
Young scholars create a quilt, using different patterns. In this geometry lesson, students apply prior knowledge as they use different patterns to help them create a quilt using transformations and geometric shapes.
Curated OER
What Does it Take to be a Survivor? Part One
Young scholars explore marine animal adaptation. In this introductory ocean life biology lesson, students access prior knowledge by participating in a whole class "thought swap." Young scholars form two lines, respond to a prompt from...
Curated OER
Marshland Ecosystems
Students identify animals in ecosystem depicted on 16th Century ceramic basin and classify them as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores based on physical characteristics and prior knowledge, determine which life forms in ecosystem are...
Curated OER
A Hard Sell on Stem Cells?
Young scholars examine their prior knowledge of cell regeneration and therapeutic use of stem cells. After reading an article, they discover new techniques for deriving embryonic stem cells. In groups, they research on the different...
Curated OER
Mission Makeover
Young scholars examine their prior knowledge of the space program. After reading an article, they explore the conclusions of the Columbia accident. In groups, they research various space programs and discover the scope of NASA. They...
Curated OER
Global Faith
Students review their prior knowledge of religious symbols and their meanings. After reading an article, they discover the comeback of the Muslim faith in Spain. In groups, they research and compare the evolutions of two religions in a...
Curated OER
Building a Mini-Park and Bird Sanctuary
Students build a list of gardening vocabulary from prior knowledge of gardens. For this gardening lesson, students understand the importance of gardens to humans and animals for food, shelter, and air. Students discuss the garden in...
Curated OER
Into the Fifties: Understanding the Context of Film Genres in the Fifties
Learners discuss prior knowledge of American culture during the 1950's. They complete KWL charts, participate in class discussions and view the documentary film Atomic Café. They record their observations from the film.