Curated OER
Little Magic Squares
Students and teacher talk about arrays of numbers like the ones in A Square of Circles. They check to see that the rows all have the same sum; that the columns all have the same sum; and that the diagonals have the same sum.
Curated OER
Dam-it? I Just Don't Know!?!
Eighth graders analyze two different large dams: The Hoover Dam and the Three Gorges Dam. They compare and contrast the two dams.
Curated OER
Bridges: Local, National and Global Connections
Fifth graders examine the role of bridges in commerce and transportation. They create a schedule for building a bridge and how much money it would take to build one.
Curated OER
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
High schoolers examine conditions at state mental hospitals after World War II. They examine the treatment of patients and how to evaluate the credibility of sources. They write a short essay to complete the activity.
Curated OER
Body and Media #2
Students discover how media influences body image. They identify how the media creates an ideal beauty. They answer questions after watching "Dying to be Thin".
Curated OER
Body and Media Introduction
Young scholars discuss body image as a group. They discover how the media affects how one sees their body. They analyze different media messages about this topic.
Curated OER
The Stories Behind the Masterpieces
Students examine Rembrandt's self-portraits and discuss important events in his life. They also examine "Aristotle with the Bust of Homer" and try to identify with the person in the paining, predicting what his life might have been like....
Curated OER
Fireplace detail
Students investigate the different type of architectural designs for fireplaces. They participate in a discussion that starts with several key questions. The lesson progresses and students complete the worksheet accompanying the lesson.
Curated OER
Miniature Landscapes
Learners demonstrate their knowledge of the elements of design by creating a pair of textured collages. They visually communicate the feeling of landscapes at different times of day by carefully selecting paper because of color or texture.
Curated OER
Civil Rights and the Michigan Supreme Court I: A Case of Racial Discrimination in the late 1800s and Minority Supreme Court Justices
Students read the decision of the Michigan Supreme Court in the Ferguson v. Gies, a case dealing with discrimination in a restaurant. They participate in a class discussion about the case and the justices that presided over it. They...
Curated OER
Holiday
Second graders engage in a lesson about holidays. They create a holiday windsock and decorate it with illustrations that symbolize different days. The information for the decorations is found through conducting research and discussing...
Curated OER
Advertisers Tread Lightly; Quietly Encouraging Consumers To Spend Again
Students analyze how one national company responded to the tragedy incorporating special message into its advertising. They are to attain knowledge of advertising as it relates to current events.
Other
Constructing Critical Literacy Practices Through Technology Tools and Inquiry
This journal article examines how the use of technology has helped to promote critical thinking and creativity. The article includes examples specifically focused on Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451."
University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow: Critical Reviews
This site is designed to be used by psychology students at the university level, but it provides helpful instruction for anyone writing critical reviews of non-fiction. Instruction includes everything from how to be critical to...
Virtual Salt
Virtual Salt: Introduction to Critical Thinking
An introduction to the concept of Critical Thinking examines the true definition and gives examples where it can be used as a constructive force.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Using Egg Drop Activity to Promote Critical Thinking and Analysis Skills
For this multi-lesson hands-on inquiry activity, students will develop their critical thinking skills by designing and constructing an apparatus that will permit an egg to survive a nine foot fall. Given limited materials, they will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Arec: Model for Enhancing Science Literacy Using Field Geology
This course enhances science literacy by emphasizing the repeated practice of making observations, posing questions & developing hypotheses around a narrowly focused aspect of Minnesota Geology. Learners construct new knowledge using...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Using Primary Sources
This is an interdisciplinary inquiry-based lesson that focuses on critical thinking. Students are introduced to the true story of the first Thanksgiving with the reading of a NCSS Notable Trade Book Thanksgiving: The True Story. Working...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Tunnel Challenge
This interactive activity, from the Web site developed for the PBS series "Building Big," explores tunneling and the tools and methods used to do the job.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Dome Challenge
In this interactive activity, from the Web site developed for the PBS series "Building Big," think like an engineer and use your knowledge of dome design to match the right type of dome to the right location in a fictitious city.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Bridge Challenge
This interactive activity, from the Web site developed for the PBS series "Building Big," use your knowledge of bridge design to match the right bridge location in a fictitious city.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Artopia: Sculpture Critic: Bird by Alexander Calder
One-page article explainshow Alexander Calder uses humor in this hanging art piece called Bird, describes how the mobile is constructed, and gives a short biography of the artist. Students can then answer questions about the sculpture,...
California State University
California State University, Northridge: Amazing Egg Drop
Teams must protect a raw egg from an eight feet fall with a container they designed. To construct the container teams must use only materials given to them in a bag and must do it in an allotted time frame. Lesson plan includes a...
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Build a Wind Turbine
Step-by-step instructions, with photos, of how to construct and test a wind turbine that produces energy. This experiment does require preparation as it uses PVC pipes, a small motor, and a multimeter, for example.