Students build models of the three major types of volcanoes and see how a volcano's shape is related to the type of material it erupts. As a class, they observe a demonstration that simulates the nature of two volcanic materials: lava...

Students 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 pinwheel...

Students discover that volcanic eruptions are geologic events that take place within the upper part and on the surface of the Earth's lithosphere. They explain how volcanoes are related to the Earth's lithosphere. They focus on the May...

Estimate and explore the length and weight of classroom items using standard measurement and scales. Students will work in groups to determine appropriate measuring tools, weigh or measure items, and record their results on a data chart....

Rock out with the second installment of a five-part series on earth materials and processes. Your budding geologists make observations of given rock samples and posit classification systems for rocks. They then learn about the...

Lead the class in a Greek history lesson with a geometric twist. Pupils relate a short video about geometric properties to modern-day methods of solving for unknown angles. They discuss parallel line theorems and complete...

So what exactly is a random sample? The 15th part in a series of 25 introduces the class to the idea of selecting samples. The teacher leads a discussion about the idea of convenient samples and random samples. Pupils use a random...

Mix it up and engage learners in a lesson on music and physical science. Using cups, strings, guitars, and voice, the class will experiment with sound vibration and frequency. They'll use each instrument and fill out a worksheet that...

The scale of the solar system is difficult to grasp without some sort of concrete visual; with some register tape and different-sized stickers, teach astronomers of any age just how spread out our solar system really is. Try to use...

Learners estimate and determine the number of cents (pennies) that are needed to equal the mass of a variety of common objects. They develop a process for measuring and explore concepts related to units of measurement.

Did you know that the Greek and Latin root words that make up the scientific name of a creature often describe the animal? All the root words on this list relate to whales and dolphins. Learners examine the scientific names for dolphins...

Students explore the dilemma of bioethics. Students review a cast study on a bioethical topic. They research the facts, values, and stakemakers in the controversial debate. Students consider the consequences and discuss their findings...

Learners investigate why and how certain historical figures became famous in relation to the Texas Revolution. They view and discuss a variety of images, then in small groups record the names of individuals involved in the Texas...

Students study the concept of legislation as it relates to passing a bill in the House of Representatives. In this legislation: passing a bill in the house of representative lesson plan, students identify why and how bills are introduced...

What a web we weave. Pupils use yarn as the primary resource to create a web depicting the intricacies of a salt marsh ecosystem. They participate in a question and answer session, which leads to an in-depth facilitated discussion...

Can you graph your story? Keep your classes interested by challenging them to graph a scenario and interpret the meaning of an intersection. Be sure they paty attention to the detail of a graph, including intercepts, slope,...

Can you follow a composition of transformations, or better yet construct them? Young mathematicians analyze the composition of dilations, examining both the scale factor and centers of dilations. They discover relationships for both...

Make the irrational rational again! Continuing the theme from previous lessons in the series, the lesson relates the polynomial identity difference of squares to conjugates. Learners develop the idea of a conjugate through analysis and...

Looking for a strategy to organize the information related to transformations? The materials ask pupils to identify a sequence of rigid transformations, identify corresponding angles and sides, and write a congruence statement. They...

Angles and triangles: they're all connected. Uncover the connections between angles in triangles. Scholars learn how to find both exterior and interior angle measures in triangles. The lesson emphasizes the vocabulary related to these...

How well does your garden grow? Model the growth of dahlias with nonlinear functions. In the lesson, scholars build on their understanding of mathematical models with nonlinear models. They look at dahlias growing in compost and...

You know 4 + 4 + 4 = 3(4), but what about x + x + x? Pairs work together to develop equivalent expressions relating multiplication and addition in the third lesson of a 36-part series. They extend their knowledge of multiplication as...

Who is the al Qaeda and what happened on September 11? Older students will explore the political objectives of al Qaeda and possible reasons for the September 11 terrorist attacks by watching a video program and working through evidence...

Students construct a fault model using the Fault Model Sheet imbedded in this plan. They create a 3 dimensional model of the Earth, and use dashed lines to illustrate where the fault lies. A discussion of faults follows the completion of...