Teaching Tolerance
Collage of Concerns
A picture can speak louder than words. An interesting lesson introduces the themes of social justice and diversity to young learners by having them create artwork. Scholars create collages from a variety of sources to showcase what...
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Spelling Detective
Put on your Sherlock Holmes hat and become a spelling detective! Scholars hunt down the spelling errors in a short passage of a high-interest current events text. Here is a great way to develop editing and reading skills.
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Animals Project for German Students
Who doesn't love animals? Young learners will be excited to develop their vocabulary and categorize animals into different lists. This includes a fun extension activity that encourages the older learners to create a PowerPoint...
Physics Classroom
Action-Reaction Lab
Computer-interfaced motion detectors are required to carry out this inquiry. It is a new twist on exploring motion with plunger carts: they are set back-to-back and then propelled away from each other. Their velocities are measured, and...
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Number and Operations- Largest Number Race
Learners participate in a race to compare whole numbers. In this number operations lesson, students create the largest 10-digit number and discuss how they constructed the largest number.
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Time Is On the Line
Middle schoolers observe how to develop a chronological timeline. They construct a timeline, placing six significant events in chronological order, using symbols and pictures to correspond with the events and dates.
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Spelling Clue Race
Pupils decode clues in order to correctly spell words. They find clues hidden in the classroom to review for their spelling test. Perhaps this isn't the most effective way to review, but it is creative, so it's likely to capture the...
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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...
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It's Raining Cats and Dogs
Make a beeline to this activity. Prepare paper strips with the provided idioms to engage teams in illustrating their literal meanings. The drawings provide the impetus for a guessing game where class members compete to be the first to...
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The Hot Dog Stand
Students run a computer simulation. They collect data as they work and use the data to create an annual report for their business. Several different simulations could be used for this project. It is desirable for students to do this...
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Accounting/ Marketing Cookies
Second graders become involved in the advertisement, marketing, and development of their own cookie business. Students must choose a job for the preparation and baking of the cookies. Students also manage the profits and advertisement of...
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Story Map for Bud, Not Buddy
Why should your class complete a story map? After reading Bud, Not Buddy, divide your class into pairs or small groups to complete the included worksheet. They list the main characters, the conflict, main plot events, the resolution, and...
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Investigation - Mathematical Reasoning: Tables and Chairs
Fourth graders draw pictures and diagrams as they attempt to solve a mathematical problem involving the arrangement of eleven tables shaped like equilateral triangles and the seating of exactly twenty-five people.
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Properties
In this properties activity, students classify each of the properties given as either extensive or intensive and as either physical or chemical. This activity has 1 graphic organizer and 8 fill in the blank questions.
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Imagine That! Analyzing Imagery
Poems by O. Henry, Marion Dane Bauer, Monty Roberts, and Langston Hughes provide the text for a study of symbolism, hyperbole, and imagery. Employing the “think-pair-share” strategy learners generate definitions of these terms and locate...
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Survival Experts
Students take on the role of survival experts as they research and produce brochures or guides to educate others about what to do in the event of a natural disaster.
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Self Advocacy
Students determine the procedures for facilitate a self-advocacy meeting. They enter information about the meetings in a database which they include in a letter summarizes the meeting.
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The Hot Dog Stand - An Annual Report
Students run a computer simulation and collect data as they work and use the data to create an annual report for their business. It is desirable for students to do this project individually, but it could be done as a class using a large...
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Art On Trial (A Mock-Court Activity)
Students engage in a mock trial to decide if a work of prospective public art is "art" and accepted for a city park. They broaden their definitions of what "art" is. Students distinguish between opinion and informed judgment of art works.
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Give Yourself Some Credit
Eighth graders identify information and skills necessary to transition to high school. They complete a graphic organizer comparing middle school and high school. They discuss earning credits and specific requirements for graduation from...
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Forest Communities
Students identify tree specimens. In this tree specimens instructional activity, students collect different parts of a tree from the areas around the school or their home. They then work in groups to create booklet that identifies tree...
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Soil Soakers
Students work together to discover the relationship between water holding and drainage characteristics of soils. They record their observations and discuss the results. They examine particle size and pore sizes as well.
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Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers
Students examine the importance of good quality safety gear. In this investigative lesson, students will tests various polymers, collect data, and analyze the data to determine which polymer is best for safety helmets. They will design a...
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Sports Safety Pamphlets
Students create pamphlets highlighting safety guidelines for specific sports. They define the word pamphlet, study safety guidelines for several sports, and create pamphlets highlighting safety guidelines for several sports.