Students estimate the area of states using the formulas for the areas of rectangles, squares, and triangles. In this geometric shapes lesson, students divide irregular shaped states into shapes. They use the formulas for areas of...

We use basic units of measurement to break down things and communicate clearly. The first lesson plan in an 11-part series teaches the proper way to measure various items. It starts simply with measuring the dimensions and areas of...

How can kids use math to learn about marine life? Combine math skills with science lessons in a resource featuring activities about life in the sea. Kids graph and calculate data, solve complex word problems, measure geometric shapes,...

Build an interest and appreciation for architecture in your young learners with this fun 10-lesson art unit. Engaging children in using their five senses, the class first observes the environment around them, paying...

In this math and science learning exercise, students read about the process of photosynthesis and plant growth. They determine how a plant's ability to create food is dependent on the surface area of its leaves using geometric...

Create a protective protein shell as a package. Using the included template, pupils tape together 20 triangles to create a 20-sided shape to represent the protective shell of a virus. The model of the protein shell incases the nucleic...

Here is a great science lesson. It extends the concept of vision into the area of optical illusions, perspective, and tessellation. This well-designed plan has tons of great activities, utilizes interesting video, and should lead to a...

Students comprehend how Landsat satellites orbit teh Earth to produce images. They comprehend the elliptical path of satellites. Students recognize that a different orbital path is needed for different satellites to perform their tasks....

Students investigate ways to enhance an object's flying ability.  In this model construction instructional activity, students construct two paper airplanes, one of which is twice as big as the first.  Students compare and...

Stop and drop what is in your hand! Pupils investigate how form effects drag in the 12th part of a 22-part unit on aviation. Groups create equally weighted objects and determine which one falls the fastest by collecting data.

Feel like a rocket scientist for the day. Using only paper and tape, scholars create a framework for a spaceship to Mars. Each sheet of paper costs $10 million and each piece of tape costs $100,000. Make sure you stay within budget!

Third graders discover the main purpose for totem poles was to communicate with others. In groups, they compare and contrast the four types of totem poles and the various symbols used. They write their own stories based off of pictures...

Don't be dense—use a robust resource. The second installment of a five-part Floaters and Sinkers unit has learners determine the densities of several objects. As part of the activity, they learn the displacement method for finding...

Young scholars design a skydiver and parachute constraption to demonstrate how drag caused by air resistance slows the descent of skydivers as they travel back to Earth. They experience how gravity pulls the skydiver toward the earth and...

Learners watch videos and fill out worksheets about the turtles and their journey to the Costa Rican beach. In this turtles lesson plan, students learn and discuss survival, predator and prey, and stages of development.

Students construct a weather vane using their knowledge of some geometric shapes. In this weather lesson, students work in pairs to create a weather vane in order to measure wind direction. Students follow precise...

Learners investigate how to make a good parachute. In this physics lesson, students observe the motion of parachutes as it falls and measure the time. They collect data and calculate the average descent time for each canopy shape.

Fifth graders observe real bones and models to learn about the structure and function of the skeletal system. In this skeletal system lesson, 5th graders manipulate objects and models of bones. They handle real bones and determine the...

Students use FoilSim to complete the activity and investigate the factors that affect lift and how wing area and lift are related.

Third graders create a butterfly drawing that includes the elements of art and principles of design. They create artwork that can be made into ceramic tiles to be installed around the classroom doorways in our new addition.

Petroglyphs and pictographs are compared in these simple slides.  Some of the terms are very specific, but the basic information will be useful to accompany a lecture about this visual art form.  Images and real examples would...

Students explore the observable properties of matter and utilize them in classification. They use a binary classification system to divide objects, then justify their scheme.

Ninth graders select and build one of five different paper airplane designs and test them for distance and for time aloft. Part of this activity is designed to explore NASA developed software, FoilSim, with respect to the lift of an...

Pupils make and fly a sled kite out of plastic garbage bags, dowel rods, and more. In this kite lesson plan, students plan the kite to have symmetry and make adjustments as they test it.