Exploratorium
Exploring a Complex Space-Filling Shape
Middle schoolers build a three-dimensional 12-pointed star as a geometric exercise. The shape is quite-difficult to construct. Luckily there is an excellent template that learners cut out, then use to make their pyramid. The second part...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Sneaking Up on Slope
Pupils determine the pattern in collinear points in order to determine the next point in a sequence. Using the definition of slope, they practice using the slope formula, and finish the activity with three different ways to determine the...
EngageNY
Building Logarithmic Tables
Thank goodness we have calculators to compute logarithms. Pupils use calculators to create logarithmic tables to estimate values and use these tables to discover patterns (properties). The second half of the instructional activity has...
Virginia Department of Education
Square Patios
Build a patio from toothpicks and marshmallows to analyze functions! Learners look for patterns in the data as they create different size patios. As they discover patterns, they make connections between the different representations of...
Virginia Department of Education
Powers of Ten
Investigate negative exponents of-ten. Pupils use the pattern of increasing powers of 10 to determine negative powers of 10. The scholars write the powers in expanded and product forms and make the connection to exponents using a...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Small Scale Sculpting: Etch Lab
Make works of art using a vintage yet effective etching strategy. The surface of a semiconductor chip has specific patterns formed through a process called etching. Through a lab investigation, young scholars recreate that process on a...
Curated OER
Looking at different cultures and how music from differing cultures changes movements, meaning and mood
Each of the three dance lessons included here will get your class moving. The first lesson allows learners to explore how music and movement differ in meaning depending on cultural context. Lesson two gives them an opportunity to create...
Curated OER
Math, Fractions, and Music
Young scholars discover the relationship between musical rhythms and fractions. They add musical notes together to produce fractions and create addition and subtraction problems with musical notes. Students complete worksheets and create...
Curated OER
How Is the Periodic Table Organized?
Fifth graders access an Interent site to review the Periodic Table. They identify patterns and draw conclusions about the organization of the periodic table. They complete a teacher created chart using the Periodic Table.
Curated OER
The Poinsettia: Native Mexican Plant vs. U.S. Christmas
Young scholars compare and contrast native Mexican poinsettia plants to those marketed in the United States. They watch a PowerPoint presentation, and listen to a version of the legend of the poinsettia. Students then create a paper...
Arts & Humanities
Pizza Arts Storage Box
Where do you put all of those fantastic art projects you've done throughout the year? In a pizza box! Yes, learners will use pizza boxes to create strong vibrant portfolios for all their art work. Note: Clean pizza boxes can be donated...
Dick Blick Art Materials
Mehndi Art Gloves
Class members get a chance to practice the art of Mehndi as they use markets to apply patterns to a latex glove.
Teach Engineering
Bubbles and Biosensors
Bubbles aren't just for children. In the third installment of a seven-part series, teenagers use bubble solution to create bubbles and observe patterns of refraction on the bubble surfaces. Application of this concept to thin films in...
Virginia Department of Education
Independent and Dependent Variables
Investigate the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Individuals begin by identifying independent and dependent variables from different problem situations. Then, using specific guidelines, they create posters...
Curated OER
Population Biology - Biology Teaching Thesis
Learners explore the effects of different density-dependent and density-independent factors on population growth. They explore how the interactions of organisms can affect population growth. Students explore the pattern of population...
Curated OER
Understanding Lava Layers
Seventh graders view "Volcano" by National Geographic Video. They experiment with baking soda and study lava flow. They describe volcano and earthquake patterns. They analyze weather and climate changes and how they relate to the natural...
Curated OER
Getting it Right! An Investigation of the Pythagorean Theorem
In order to learn about the Pythagorean Theorem, young mathematicians investigate relations and patterns between different sides of a right triangle to look for possible relations among the squared sides. Once they have established the...
Curated OER
Understanding "The Stans"
Students explore and locate "The Stans" in Central Asia to create, write and illustrate maps, graphs and charts to organize geographic information. They analyze the historical and physical characteristics of Central Asia via graphic...
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics: Fifth Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Fifth graders continue their investigation of the plate tectonics cycle with an exploration of the movement of Earth's crust. During the lab, young geologists conduct an experiment to discover the result of different types of stress...
Willow Tree
Scatterplots and Stem-and-Leaf Plots
Is there a correlation between the number of cats you own and your age? Use a scatter plot to analyze these correlation questions. Learners plot data and look for positive, negative, or no correlation, then create stem-and-leaf plots to...
National Wildlife Federation
Branching Out – Exploring Dendrochronology
Tree rings from North America give a continuous history of El Nino intensity over the last 1,100 years. Scholars learn how scientists use tree rings to create timelines demonstrating variations in weather patterns. The cumulative...
CK-12 Foundation
Function Rules for Input-Output Tables: Function Machine 1
Challenge your classes to find the pattern of a double function machine. After recording the outputs of both machines, learners identify the pattern and the corresponding function. Both patterns involve adding/subtracting a constant.
Curated OER
Sarcophagus
Here is another in a series of fantastic art lessons from this source. This one has young artists create a sarcophagus-style clay box! This lesson would be ideal to utilzie during a study of the ancient Egyptians. One note of caution:...
Curated OER
Mosaic Tiles
Elementary schoolers create a mosaic project. This simple art lesson plan produces big results! The tile mosaics are beautiful, and will be cherished by the young artists who create them, and their parents. These are the kind of projects...