Curated OER
Sorting 3-Dimensional Shapes
Does it have corners? Scholars sort three-dimensional figures into one of two categories based on whether or not they have corners. They look at six shapes: sphere, cylinder, cone, cube, prism, and pyramid. For each,...
Smithsonian Institution
Watching Crystals Grow
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Curated OER
Graphic Organizing: Early American History
In collaborative groups, young US historians sort cards (each labeled with a single early American event or issue) according to which of the first four presidents was leading the country at the time. Learners copy the events onto a...
Curated OER
Getting the Story
Students examine and discuss the basic elements of a newspaper article. They listen to articles, discuss the 'inverted pyramid' style of a breaking news article, and list imaginary current events based on mythological characters.
Curated OER
My Community: Then and Now
Middle schoolers compare and contrast their community to what it was like 50 years ago. They research various aspects of their community and compare and contrast with what it is like now. Students present and discuss their findings.
Curated OER
Build Illinois
Students examine the history of the formation of Illinois. Traveling virtually between time periods, they describe each period and compare them with how Illinois is now. They work together to complete an activity and worksheet.
Curated OER
Overland Trails To The West
Consider the political, physical, and geographical factors that led to and marked the Westward Expansion. Learners will track the various routes developed during the 1800's. They create a first person journal describing what they see,...
Curated OER
Creating a Found Poem
Teach your English learners about theme through this found poem project. Class members read two versions of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi": the original version and a synopsis. After learning about themes and connecting theme to their...
Curated OER
Where Are the Bugs?
Students trap, collect and identify arthropods in a newly created desert tortoise preserve area over a period of one school year. They determine the rate at which various arthropods take up residence in the newly landscaped area. Data is...
Curated OER
Equation Word Problems, Vol. 2
Use this equations instructional activity to have your learners solve word problems containing equations with variables. They complete 10 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Analyzing Discrete and Continuous Data in a Spreadsheet
You are what you eat! Your statisticians keep a log of what they eat from anywhere between a day to more than a week, keeping track of a variety of nutritional information using a spreadsheet. After analyzing their own data, individuals...
Curated OER
How Do You Read Stock Quotes Online ?
Students explore how to get and interpret stock price data online. They also describe certain aspects of various corporations and know the meanings of important terms involving the stock market.
Curated OER
Everybody Needs a Rock
Students describe and classify rocks that they have chosen. They estimate and find the mass of their rocks.
Curated OER
Lesson 3 How Do You Read Stock Quotes Online ?
Students understand how to get and interpret stock price data online. They describe certain aspects of various corporations and know the meanings of important terms involving the stock market.
Curated OER
Toothpick Sculpture
You'll be surprized at how much engineering, design, and creativity can go into a toothpick and a marshmallow. Learners make toothpick sculptures where they construct three-dimentional models by sticking marshmallows and toothpicks...
Curated OER
When A Story Met A Sandwich
How is a story like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Use making a sandwich as a metaphor to remind your writers that a good, solid beginning, a rich and rewarding middle, and an ending that brings everything together spices up a...
Curated OER
Prairie Plants Lab
Students recognize and identify 3 grasses and 9 common forbs of the fermilab prairie and which were common in IL, identify using resources and write 3 critical attributes of each plant.
Curated OER
Hypothesis Testing
Middle schoolers investigate the finding of a hypothesis and how it can be tested.For the experiment they will be using the concept of probability. Students design an experiment and test the hypothesis. Then the results are graphed...
Curated OER
Ant Writing
Students become effective writers. They need to practice strategies for working through the writing process. By presenting the students with a creative problem, they must choose a position and support it accordingly.
Curated OER
Finding Equations
Students make equations from everyday data. They create a graph from the equations. Students predict and analyze the results. Students complete the second scenario on their own and turn in their handout.
Curated OER
Getting Involved at School
Young scholars discuss ways to get involved in activities at school. In groups, they brainstorm a list of qualities of a person who is engaged in civics and how they can become involved in activities at school related to government. They...
Curated OER
Projectiles
Students measure the angle and distance of an arc. In this projectile lesson, students observe arcs created by water guns, bow and arrows, and slingshots, then work in small groups and use protractors and strings to measure the angle and...
Curated OER
Echinacea No Cure all for Kids
Students look at real data and answer the question of whether or not they would recommend Echinacea to cure a cold. In this investigative lesson students describe whether the data supports the hypothesis that echinacea shortens the...
Curated OER
Surname Survey
Students use data from the U.S. Census Bureau to determine whether last names in a local phone directory reflect the Census Bureau's list of the most common surnames in the country. In this surnames lesson plan, students use the Internet...