Overcoming Obstacles
Handling Stress
Middle schoolers learn how to "put stress to rest" by identifying their stress factors and the physical and emotional signs they exhibit when stressed. After the class brainstorms ways to handle these stressors, individuals commit to...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Diseases
During a cholera outbreak, scientists presented two theories; one theory was based on miasma and the other on germs and contaminated water. The lesson looks at the scientific process for finding the real culprit. 
Illustrative Mathematics
Assessing Counting Sequences Part I
Working with kindergartners one-on-one, you will identify their ability to count by 1s and 10s and conclude what levels they have mastered, as well as where they need skills practice and instruction. The commentary provided will aid you...
Mathalicious
XBOX Xpotential
Touchdown! This is an exponentially insightful lesson that explores the growth of football games with different video game consoles. Class members discuss whether the increase of mergahertz can be described as linear or exponential....
Mathalicious
New-tritional Info
Burning off a Big Mac® doesn't seem like a big feat until you calculate the minutes of exercise necessary to break even. Young mathematicians look at different menu items in relation to different body weights and exercises to calculate...
Curated OER
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of HIV Infection
Students identify the symptoms of HIV. In this disease control lesson, students listen to a mini-lecture on the symptoms of HIV. Students locate information on the Internet about ELIZA and confidentiality regarding HIV testing. Students...
Curated OER
The Preamble to the Constitution
Students discuss key phrases from the Preamble of the Constitution, find ways to relate the values stated in the Preamble to their daily lives, and explore possible changes needed in the Constitution by future generations of citizens.
Curated OER
Measuring the Earth
Students use principles of geometry to measure the circumference of the Earth. In this applied geometry lesson, students use mathematics to determine scientific information. They make measurements, calculate the central angle, and...
Curated OER
Witnesses to Joan of Arc and The Hundred Years' War
Pupils explore the key events of the Hundred Years' War  Using computer technology, they research the life of Joan of Arc. Students explain Joan's military and political strategies and their importance in history.  Pupils complete essays...
Curated OER
What Sticks from '06
Students identify significant events that helped shaped 2006.  Completing a news quiz, they discuss the importance and impact of each event mentioned.  They create their own news quizzes to be used as a class.  They create a poster...
Curated OER
Honey, I Shrunk the Lids!
Students discover the lightweighting concept used by manufacturers. In this environmental education instructional activity, students research the reduction of the amount of aluminum used in cans. Students wrap the instructional activity...
Curated OER
When the Fly Flew In by Lisa Westberg Peters
The students will listen to the story When the Fly Flew In, and be able to identify the main idea of the story and many of the (supporting) details. Students will also develop an appreciation for the humor and illustrations. After...
Curated OER
The Civil War
Students are able to describe all of the Civil War terms.  They are able to wonder why things happened.  Students are able to tell that the United States used to be two countries.
Curated OER
What is the Evidence for Evolution?
Students identify one object that would tell the story of their lives.  In groups, they determine what can and cannot be told from objects left behind.  After watching a video, they compare and contrast chicken bones to human bones.  To...
Curated OER
Tracing The Origins of Autism: A Spectrum of New Studies
Has the occurrence of autism increased over the years, or do the changes in diagnostic criteria account for the difference? High schoolers read an article about autism spectrum disorders and the related epidemiological studies that have...
Curated OER
The World Around Me
Combining visual and language arts, here is a resource that prompts middle schoolers to write stories based on pictures of their surroundings. They use digital cameras to take pictures of favorite areas in the school. Next, they choose...
Curated OER
The Sahara: Home of the Tuareg
Students research and analyze the Tuareg and other groups as well, including their own, and examine the impact culture has on environment.
Curated OER
Pacifism vs. Patriotism in the 1920s
Students examine the philosophy of different organizations after World War I. They discover the impact of the "Red Scare" and how this affected peace organizations of the time.
Curated OER
The Harlem Renaissance: Black American Traditions
High schoolers examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. As a class, they are introduced to five artists and discuss their art and techniques.   Using the internet, they also research the philosophers of the time period and how...
Curated OER
The National Association of Colored Women
Students examine the gender roles of NACW activists. They also discover the attitudes associated with race in the NACW. They work together in groups to write a letter to the leader of the time period.
Curated OER
Practical Illustrations of Astronomical Concepts Relating to the Solar System
Eighth graders are introduced to concepts related to the Solar System.  In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they must describe a ray of light and how it travels.  They draw a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum and...
Curated OER
Turning Points in the American Revolution
Fifth graders examine the causes and effects of the American Revolution. In groups, they make a portfolio page and write a response to the Proclamation of 1763. They also make a timeline of the events of the Boston Massacre and answer...
Curated OER
Sequencing
Are you looking for a way to teach sequence of events in your narrative writing unit? Bring this lesson to your middle school class, as it prompts young writers to create a narrative sequence map of events that have happened at school...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Six Kinds Do It All
Teach young engineers that all machines, no matter how complicated or complex, are made up of just six simple devices with this hands-on physical science lesson. Using the included templates, students first create paper models of...