Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning from Light: The Big Bang

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore what astronomers are able to examine our galaxy and universe by examining light. They explore in this sub-unit the formation of the universe, commonly called "The Big Bang," and it follows studying from the Light:...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Report on Desert Plant or Animal

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students are introduced to desert plants and animals. They demonstrate that the name of an organism does not always match the object. Students perform a guided internet search in order to complete a report.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will It Sink Or Float?

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Have your class predict whether objects will sink or float in water. Learners consider a data table of mass, volume and whether the object sank or floated. They develop an evidence-based explanation for the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are You Sure You've Got the Right Answer?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young researchers work through the research cycle. They question, plan, gather, sort, synthesize, and evaluate the materials they collect at the library. There are web supplements for this lesson. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Illinois On Tour

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders participate in the Illinois Mystery Activity (from the ENTICE materials) to study additional interesting facts about Illinois. Using the DNR poster "Illinois' Natural Divisions" and printed materials from ENTICE, 8th...
Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Colors Collide or Combine?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
As part of a unit investigating the dissolving of M&Ms® candy coating, this instructional activity examines whether or not the different colors combine. There are no new concepts revealed in this particular instructional activity,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Diary

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars create a diary of an animal. In this creative writing lesson, students read the book Diary of a Worm and conduct a brief research session on their animal. Young scholars fill in a template with facts and create an animal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chain

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders role-play various organisms from a food chain to illustrate how a food chain works. In relay style, 3rd graders fill their cups (stomachs) and, in turn, fill a larger organism's cup (stomach) to visualize the importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Penguin Presentations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the attributes of penguins. In this penguins lesson plan, students participate in a penguin scavenger hunt and take notes on the information they encounter. Students prepare reports about their findings and share them...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sunburns and Sore Muscles: Working to Save the Farm During the Great Depression

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Fifth through eighth graders engage in a lesson in which they study working class people during the Great Depression. They work to develop an understanding of the economic developments in Arkansas during the 1930's. Learners access...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atomic Structure

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students explore atomic structure. They observe a video on atomic structure and complete a Venn diagram on the parts of the atom. Students create their own graphic organizer on the parts of the atom using Inspiration software.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollution Research

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore pollution. They conduct preliminary research on pollution using the internet. Students share their findings with the group. They work with a group and create lists of facts on pollution.
Lesson Plan
Sociology Central

Functionalist View of the Family

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Any social science class studying functionalism and family may benefit from these eight pages of background information and activities. It does not include specific learning objectives, assessments, or rubrics, but it is a great source...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Keynote Report

For Teachers 4th
Learners produce a research project on an animal. Using the Internet, they find pictures and information about animals. They are also given a list of items that should be covered in their report, including the appearance of the animals,...
Lesson Plan
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PBS

Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Learning About Opioids

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Feeling high is not the only side effect of abusing prescription opioids. Middle and high schoolers learn more about specific painkillers, including Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Clonazepam, as well as their common brand names and extensive...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Improving the Quality of Life

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils examine the contributions to medicine, science, and technology by individuals of diverse backgrounds.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

i-Density Crisis

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders determine the density using mass and volume. In this science lesson, 8th graders explain why some materials float or sink. They estimate the density of objects based on whether it floats or sinks in a liquid of known...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Media Campaign

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders design and present a media product supporting environmental stewardship. They demonstrate an understanding of the nature and types of waste and of their management in industry and the community. They assess the results...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organize Ocean Animal Research

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research a variety of ocean animals, organizing the facts in the form of a database. They input the results of the research into the appropriate field of their database for their Oceanography Science Unit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mensa For Kids: The Moon

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore space science by completing an arts and crafts activity. In this moon lesson, 1st graders explore the geography of the moon and discuss the importance it has for people living on Earth. Students create a replica...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density of a Gas

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the mass, volume, and density of a gas by producing it in a chemical reaction. The entire Density of a Gas Lab and L section of the K W L chart be formatively assessed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ways of Thinking

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore all the different avenues of the concept of different ways of thinking by involving the views of several great minds of history to thinkers of Western Civilization. They assess questioning, life, work, skepticism,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"I WONDER!"

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore a variety of age-appropriate resources. They answer a teacher-selected question about a science or social studies topic. They locate and review age-appropriate resources and provide practice in using the resources...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Resistance in a Wire

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students find the constant of proportionality and apply it to a situation. They use the electrical resistance in a wire as a context for finding the constant of proportionality. In addition, they write an explanation and justification of...