Curated OER
My Friend, The Volcano
Students describe the positive impacts of volcanic activity on marine ecosystems. In this volcano lesson students explore the process that causes volcanic activity along the Mariana and Kermadec Island Arcs.
Curated OER
Keeping My Body Safe
Students explore the concepts of personal body parts and how they should be protected from being abused by others. The use of a scripted personal dialogue reinforces the realness of the problem that could happen.
Curated OER
A Leaf, a Stem, a Root, Oh My!
Students conduct Internet research on plants and complete a WebQuest on vegetable plants. They use a graphic organizer to display their findings, observe actual vegetables and design a salad, noting which part of each plant is included.
Curated OER
I've Got You Under My Skin
Learners examine bark beetle galleries, discuss interdependence between insects, trees, and people, and research to determine causes of other tree damage.
Curated OER
"How Divine Is My Proportion?"
Eighth graders explore the concept of the divine proportion/golden ratio. In this Fibonacci Sequence exploratory lesson, 8th graders measure the length and width of various objects to see which items have a divine proportion. Students...
Curated OER
Algebra: What's My Rule?
Students apply higher level thinking skills to determine rules for sorting and classification. For this pre-algebra lesson, students nominate classmates who they think satisfy the unspoken "rule" established by the leader. As students...
Curated OER
Poetry: What's on Your Plate?
Students create original poetry on the subject of food. For this poetry writing lesson, students use sensory details about a food item to create a class poem. Students then write short poems with one sensory detail and add another...
Curated OER
Science
Seventh graders study the theory of plate tectonics. In this activity lesson students complete an activity to determine how seafloor spreading and volcanoes contribute to solving the plate tectonics puzzle.
Curated OER
Making Waves: A Study of Earthquakes and Tsunami
Students examine plate tectonics and the causative effect of earthquakes. In this tectonics lesson students differentiate between the types of energy waves that cause earthquakes and tsunamis and how waves travel at different speeds.
Curated OER
Street Safety
Students explore fire safety rules through a variety of teacher-led activities. In this safety lesson plan, students choose appropriate felt board pieces as they listen to My Car by Byron Barton. Seat belt and car seat safety, as well as...
Curated OER
Disaster Cycles
Students explore what causes natural disasters. In this environmental lesson plan, students will spend four weeks using activities to help in their understanding of the Hydrological Cycle, Hurricanes, Plate Tectonics, and the Recovery...
Stanford University
Solstice and Equinox Season Model
How can December 21 be the shortest day of the year when all days are 24 hours long? Pupils see how to build a model showing the differences between winter and summer solstices and equinoxes. Using this model, classes can then discuss...
Curated OER
Convection Currents
Students explain and understand the circulation of air in the atmosphere. They identify that energy can be carried from one place to another by heat flow or by waves, including water, light and sound waves, or by moving objects. ...
Curated OER
The BIG One
Students observe an earthquake demonstration. They research an earthquake and use color dots to plot the location of each of their earthquakes on the large map.
Curated OER
Poetry To My Ears
Students investigate the 50 States Quarters Program. They use the state of Idaho as a basis for creating context for the lesson. The image on the coin becomes the subject. They differentiate between the reverse and obverse side of the...
Curated OER
Keepsake Hand-print Card for Father's or Mother's Day
Students utilize art skills to create a holiday gift. In this arts and crafts lesson, students create a memorable gift for their mom or dad using construction paper, paper plates and finger paints. Students deliver their palm print...
Curated OER
Fod Pyramid
Sixth graders investigate the Food Pyramid and how it relates to their own diet. They conduct Internet research, complete the "Rate Your Plate" online activity, and create a HyperStudio presentation.
Curated OER
Nutrition: Banquet for the Bunch!
Students define nutritiion and diet by exploring the food pyramid. They examine the food of different cultures. After listening to a story about the pyramid, they draw pictures of their breakfasts. Students examine magazine photos...
Overcoming Obstacles
Accessing Resources
Everyone needs help achieving their goals. The trick is to figure out how to access resources that will be of help. Participants engage in activities that teach them how to identify what help they need to achieve their goals and how to...
Curated OER
Parasites: Our Tiny Companions
Learners consider parasites that seek human hosts. They prepare nutrient agar plates and cultivate samples of bacteria taken from their own bodies. They experiment with disinfectants and soaps to determine which method kills the most...
Curated OER
Cold, Clouds, and Snowflakes
Students explore satellite data and graphing. In this weather data analysis math and science lesson, students analyze NASA satellite data to draw conclusions about geographical areas where precipitation might have happened. Students...
Curated OER
Food Pyramid Nutrition Puzzles
Students put together food group puzzles on the computer and identify the healthy message in the end. In this food lesson plan, students identify the food group that the puzzle is representing as well.
Curated OER
QAR - Jacob Have I Loved
What kinds of questions could be asked with different pieces of literature? Use QAR questions to help your middle schoolers develop the skills to find information in a text. Thorough directions, a text excerpt, and a set of reading...
Curated OER
Earthquakes-Science Puzzlers, Twisters, & Teasers
In this earth science instructional activity, students complete 4 word puzzlers and twisters about earthquakes as well as answer 11 true or false questions.