National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Can We Absorb Nanoparticle Pollutants?
Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there! A growing concern for environmental scientists is toxic nanoparticles in our air and water. Young scholars conduct an experiment to demonstrate how these particles can cross our...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Pinch Test
Test your pupils' understanding of the scale from macro to atomic. While displaying images of different materials, learners identify what they would need to make that material visible. Their choices range from the human eye to an...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Hiding Behind the Mask
Microchips are a man-made wonder. Investigate the manufacturing wonder with a hands-on inquiry-based lesson. Scholars simulate the process of pattern transfer using photoresist. Their conclusion identifies how their process replicates...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Mixtures and Nanotechnology
What does size have to do with it? Learners analyze different mixtures, both homogeneous and heterogeneous, to discover the properties related to the size of their particles. The activity connects these properties to those of...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Effects of Colloidal Silver on Microbial Growth: Investigating Snake Oil Science
Can your classes solve the problem of the smelly sweat sock? Young scientists complete a lab investigation that begins by using electrochemistry to generate colloidal silver. They use their solutions to test the rate of microbial growth...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Lab On A Slab
Capillary action is the frugal chemist's dream ... the less liquid used, the more tests they can run! Learners experiment with the best design to maximize the benefits of capillary action. Using a liquid sample, they design a capillary...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Understanding Wave Motion - Slinky vs. Snaky: Which Spring is Dominant?
Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Save the Dinosaurs with Copper and Zinc!
Create a coat of armor for dinosaur volunteers. Young scientists explore the oxidation-reduction reaction facilitated by electric current. The result of the reaction is a dinosaur coated in copper and zinc, which leads to an...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Can Small Pollutants Harm Aquatic Organisms?
Nanoparticles have toxic effects on plant and animal life—even though you can't see them. The second instructional activity of a two-part series has young scientists conduct an experiment that exposes plant and animals to nanoparticle...
University of California
The Vietnam War (1945 – 1975)
Have you ever wanted to do something so perfectly you wound up not doing it well at all? Young historians use primary and secondary documents to analyze the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. The issues surrounding the...
ELA Common Core Lesson Plans
American Romanticism
Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter" provides the text for an activity that asks readers to select specific passages from the story, identify the aspect of American Romanticism the passage exemplifies, and then provide an...
Curated OER
Penguin Paradise
Learners read about penguins and communicate their information in a one paragraph summary. In this penguin writing lesson, students review sentence construction. Learners complete a KWL about penguins and read the book Penguins Through...
Curated OER
Polygons
Middle schoolers work together to create mobiles with different polygons. They research the polygon and list its characteristics. They may present to the class if they chose to.
Curated OER
Hands
Students are read the book "Hands". They discuss things they are able to do with their hands. They create a cutout of their hands and write one thing they can do on the hand. They share what they wrote with the class.
Curated OER
T-Races
Students are divided into teams to practice their math facts. They use t-charts to solve problems. They must show all of their work to win the race.
Curated OER
Stump the Class
Students play a learning game in order to recognize what type of events can be found in certain sections of the newspaper.
Curated OER
Journalism: Potential Bias
Pupils investigate a current event involving the United States from different journalistic viewpoints. They compare a Western newspaper with one from the Middle East and submit written evaluations noting agreements and disagreements in...
ESL Kid Stuff
Past Tense Activities - Regular Verbs
Here is a supplemental lesson plan regarding past tense verbs for English language learners that is a great tool for the classroom when you are teaching grammar exercises.
ESL Kid Stuff
Jobs
Introduce language learners to the world of work with a series of activities that illustrate the skills required by a variety of jobs.
ESL Kid Stuff
Measuring Parts of the Body
"How tall are you?" "Who has the longest arms?" As part of a study of the names of various body parts, language learners use rulers and tapes to measure parts of the body.
ESL Kid Stuff
Days of the Week
"TH" is for "Thursday." Language learners practice pronouncing the English names for the days of the week, write these names on cards, and then place the cards in order.
ESL Kid Stuff
Sports
Sports and sport-related vocabulary are the focus of a lesson designed for language learners.
Curated OER
Digital Statistics
Research data analysis by creating charts in class. Define the differences between an "average" and "range" while examining measurement data based on student height. Utilize computer software to create a height graph which is shared with...
Curated OER
Using Dictionary Entries
Work on word pronunciations by exploring the dictionary. Learners complete a worksheet containing questions about dictionary entries. They review how to use a dictionary, identify syllable breaks, parts of speech, and word pronunciation.