Umoja Student Development Corporation
Martin Luther King, Jr.: What Did He Do? Why Does It Matter?
Young historians examine the work of Martin Luther King Jr. by reading and answering questions about the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Albany Movement, the Birmingham and Chicago campaigns, and the Memphis Sanitation Worker's Strike.
Curated OER
Plant Reproduction
Students plant seeds in order to investigate and explore the questions: "How do seed companies develop varieties of plants?" and "What is the ideal plant?" Students will study related vocabulary and sketch seeds as they emerge. Students...
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Assessment For The California Mathematics Standards Grade 4
Have scholars show what they know with a 20-page assessment aligned to the California State Standards. The test covers concepts such as large and whole numbers, all four mathematical operations, fractions, decimals, geometric figures,...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Gelatin Microfluidics
Micro what? Analyze microfluidics as an application in the medical community. A lab investigation highlights the importance of channel design in biotechnology. Learners modify channels and observe the behavior of the flow of the fluids.
Museum of Science
Worm Farm
It is not a barrel of monkeys—it's a jar of worms! Scholars create a worm farm in a spaghetti sauce jar. Pupils layer moist soil, sand, and oatmeal to create a habitat for worms. Individuals place worms into the habitat, cover it with...
Curated OER
"As You Like It" by William Shakespeare
Jacque's soliloquy from Act II, scene ii of As You Like It sets the stage for a close reading exercise that models how to approach difficult, dense text and enables readers to practice reading comprehension and analysis skills. Learners...
Curated OER
The Chesapeake Bay in Captain John Smith's Time
When Captain John Smith visited the Chesapeake Bay in the summer of 1608, what types of animals and habitats did he encounter? Your young historians will analyze primary source documents to answer this question, as well as compare the...
Curated OER
Remote Sensing - What Can We See When We Can't Touch?
Learners discover how remote sensing is used to identify the signatures of life even when the particular life form is not directly observable. They investigate how a satellite "sees" objects on the surface of Earth.
Curated OER
Ecology of the Savanna-Forest Boundaries in Central Brazil
Students explore photosynthesis. In this photosynthesis instructional activity, students label parts of photosynthesis and take notes. Students conduct experiments on leaves, make observations and record their findings.
Calvin Crest Outdoor School
Survival
Equip young campers with important survival knowledge with a set of engaging lessons. Teammates work together to complete three outdoor activities, which include building a shelter, starting a campfire, and finding directions in the...
Odell Education
Scientific Process and Experimental Design
The scientific method keeps you from believing only what you want to believe — it expands your mind. The lesson introduces the eight steps in the scientific process and how to design an experiment to biology scholars. Live insects...
Baylor College
Needs of Plants
What better way to learn about plant life than by creating a class garden? Young botanists start with a brief discussion about radishes before planting seeds and watching them grow. To determine the importance of water, sunlight, and...
Baylor College
Moving Air
In lab groups, young scientists place aluminum cans with a bubble-solution cap into different temperatures of water to see what size of bubble dome forms. As part of an atmosphere unit in preparation for learning about convection...
Facing History and Ourselves
How Journalists Minimize Bias
Class members are challenged to write a neutral news story about the events they observe in a short video. After sharing their stories in groups and discussing the different perceptions, the class concludes with a video of journalists...
Science 4 Inquiry
Investigating How Heat Flows
It is impossible to cool down a glass of water by adding ice. Young scientists explore heat transfer through videos, experiments, and interactive games. They quickly catch on that the water melts the ice and things aren't always as they...
Curated OER
Observations From the Past
Ninth graders explore direct and indirect evidence. In this astronomy activity, 9th graders investigate the contribution of early astronomers to their field. They create a model of the solar system.
Curated OER
Outlining Main Ideas and Details
Begin at the end. Present your class with an expository essay and ask them to create an outline of the article, paying particular attention to the main ideas and the details supporting these ideas. After a discussion of what they have...
Teach Engineering
Thrown for a Loop
Round and round it goes. Class members observe a current carrying loop in a magnetic field and calculate its associated torque. They then apply what they have learned to example problems to solve for the torque and to calculate the...
Curated OER
I Wonder What An Important Observation Is...
Middle schoolers discover the importance of descriptions and detail in their writing. They write in their scientific journals and are evaluated by the teacher. They write a descriptive piece and evaluate their own writing as well.
Curated OER
Popcorn Is a Gas
Students investigate why and how popcorn pops. In this gas lesson plan, students observe and make suggestions as to what causes popcorn to pop after observing popped corn and corn kernels. Students mass the kernels before and after...
Curated OER
Copy Cat
Students follow the directions as the "cat" guides them in moving creatively. In this observing and listening lesson, students move their bodies while staying in their own spaces. Students then are allowed to move out of their space and...
Curated OER
Using Your Senses
Students make observations. In this sensory skills instructional activity, students use their senses as well as tools that sharpen their senses to make observations regarding foods and other items.
Curated OER
Observing and Writing about Butterflies
Students observe and write about butterflies. In this life cycle lesson, students listen to the story The Life of a Butterfly by Robin Bernard and watch a YouTube video of a butterfly coming out of his chrysalis. They complete a...
Curated OER
How Old is That Tree?
In this age of a tree worksheet, students use "Tree Cookies" and count the number of rings in each, they determine the age of the tree and they identify any special features and what they may indicate.