National Park Service
Glaciers and Water
Explore the amazing power of glaciers with a hands-on earth science experiment! After first learning basic background information, learners go on to create their very own chunks of frozen water and gravel in order to observe first-hand...
Virginia Department of Education
Grade 8 Writing Prompts
Imagine four pages of writing prompts. Although designed specifically for eighth graders, the topics could be used for upper-elementary and high school writers as well.
Curated OER
Creating a Food Web
Students investigate hunters and prey by creating a food web. For this animal life lesson, students investigate a single organism in preparation for a field trip, discovering its diet and habitat. Students each discuss their animal...
National External Diploma Program Council
Capitalization Review
Using correct grammar is a capital idea! Elementary readers review the rules of capitalization, including proper nouns, abbreviations of organizations, and holidays, before correcting the errors in two sets of sentences.
Curated OER
Investigating the Climate System: Energy, A Balancing Act
Earth science explorers design an experiment to demonstrate that the albedo of a surface affects its temperature. They test to find out if moisture on the surface affects temperature. They discover whether or not concrete or asphalt heat...
Curated OER
Global Warming
A series of independent learning activities teaches learners about global warming as it relates to economics and industrialization. The culminating project requires them to create a multimedia presentation identifying the problems,...
Curated OER
The Ultimate Road Trip
Sixth graders experience and practice real-world geography, science and math as they imagine planning out the ultimate road trip. They set goals and maintain a daily budget as they are given a set of rules as they plan their road trip...
Stanford University
Ansel Adams at Manzanar
Analyzing photos from Ansel Adams of Manzanar—a camp where the American government imprisoned thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II—individuals consider what images have to say about this period in American history....
Curated OER
Boundaries and People
Students map watersheds to find their boundaries. In this watershed activity students map and then give their "watershed address." Students show the trail from stream, larger stream to oceans. Students describe the boundaries of the...
Curated OER
This Land Is Our Land
Students research federal land holdings. They explore how those lands are used. They map these lands and design their own legends. They discuss whether or not the land is being used accordingly.
Curated OER
The History of Mardi Gras
Learners gain knowledge about the history, traditions, and culture of Mardi Gras. They then apply the content to make related projects and complete assignments.
Curated OER
Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas
Art is a great way to convey or express an idea. Learners choose an idiom, draw it, and use transfer paper to create photograms. They discuss how why they chose the phrase they did, and how they expressed that idea through their drawings.
Curated OER
Montana Crossword
In this Montana instructional activity, students answer questions about Montana's history and put their answers in a crossword puzzle. Students complete 10 questions about Montana.
Curated OER
Seepy Sandwich
Students explore Earth science by participating in a pollution activity. In this water infiltration instructional activity, students utilize a water sprayer, food coloring and slices of bread to simulate how pollution can spread into our...
Curated OER
Hunt the Fact Monster (Extra #3)
In this Fact Monster search engine worksheet, students access the Internet to one specific website to answer five questions with multiple choice answers.
Curated OER
Shasta Dam: How High is Too High?
Research water use in California, environmental protection laws, and the proposition to raise Shasta Dam by 200 feet. Researchers use their findings to build an argument which will be presented at a mock decision panel. Groups then...
Teach Engineering
The Advantage of Machines
Show your students how to make their work easier. The first instructional activity in a series of 10 introduces the class to work and the way simple machines can be make work easier. The simple machines scholars can find in everyday...
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Hetch Hetchy: The Story of San Francisco's Water
How did San Francisco supply enough water for its residents over the last two centuries? Learn about droughts and water conservation in California, as well as specific historical events that led to the water system today. Kids read two...
Curated OER
Raton Pass and Glorieta Battlefield
Students complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrip to Raton Pass and Glorieta Battlefield on the Sante Fe Trail in New Mexico.
Curated OER
The Formation and Value of Temperate Grasslands
Learners study the Temperate Grasslands biome of North America. They explain that it is an endangered ecosystem because the rich soils have been converted to farming in most areas. They view videos imbedded in this plan, then complete...
Curated OER
Rock 'N Roll Mount Rushmore
Students, in groups, gather information about the sculptor Gutzon Borglum and the four presidents he carved in the South Dakota mountain, Mt. Rushmore. Groups create a Rock 'n' Roll President brochure.
Curated OER
Field Trip to Mammoth Cave
Students, when given a microscope or a camera, write two observations they have seen using technology that they did not see with just their eyes with 100% accuracy. When given a blank map, they mark the location of Mammoth Cave along...
Curated OER
Salmon Vs. Dams: the Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Students role-play a meeting of the Elwha River council in which they present opposing views to council members on hydroelectric power and salmon fisheries resources. They brainstorm possible conflicts between various people in land-use...
Curated OER
Marching For Freedom
Young scholars appreciate the sacrifices that people from across the country made to ensure that all citizens could exercise their constitutional right to vote. They access excellent websites and documents imbedded in this plan to guide...