The octopus is a commonly used symbol in political cartoons. Help your scholars examine why it has been used in this way throughout history. Three cartoons depict different uses of the octopus. Background information helps gives context...

Students examine and discuss a variety of ways to measure length, capacity, and weight. They estimate and measure a pencil's length using Unifix cubes, estimate and fill a measuring cup with Unifix cubes, and weigh a calculator in a...

Reading a dialect can be difficult; show readers that it can also reveal fascinating details! They read two extracts from Jane Gardam's The Hollow Land, which is written in a British dialect. Readers answer comprehension questions,...

Ninth graders consider how perceived standards of beauty influence body image as well as the relationship between body image and eating disorders. The class brainstorms traits the media presents as beauty standards for males and females,...

Check for understanding at the end of your descriptive statistics unit with an end-of-module assessment. It uses five questions to measure progress toward mastery of descriptive statistics standards. Each question is developed...

Find out what's so standard about standard form. Scholars learn to write multiplication expressions with variables in the 10th instructional activity in a series of 36. They use different symbols for multiplication and translate between...

The first part of this article by PBS on the Miss America pageants can be used in a health class when it's time to talk about body image. There are links to related articles. There are some great questions for discussion. There are ideas...

What number do you get when you add 700, 20, and 9 together? You get 729, which just happens to be standard form. Build stong number sense with 16 problems where expanded form is converted to standard form.

Here are some cross-curricular activities whil should help your kids understnad weight measurements and grammar. In this grammar and math lesson, students read the book Skittles Riddles and practice counting and balancing skittles. They...

Elapsed time is a skill developed by the single question that is the center of this activity. Fifth graders are asked to find out the time that is 2011 minutes after the beginning of 2011. This question addresses the standard that...

Learners are given a logarithmic function and its inverse exponential function. The task, which is to graph both compositions of the two functions, uses the inverse nature of exponents and logarithms to generalize about the properties of...

Stress the importance of the different types of pressure our mind and body experience in a lesson plan about how certain types of stress are actually necessary and good for our bodies. As astronauts and people with injuries can attest,...

"I can" statements are a great way to break down the discrete skills within a set of standards for young learners. Included here are the Common Core standards for second grade speaking and listening broken down into a check list of "I...

Get a better understanding of the trigonometric functions by taking a look at the flip side. Pupils create angles within a unit circle and compare the values of the standard trigonometric functions to their reciprocal functions. The...

Are your learners feeling a bit jittery about an upcoming American history standardized test? Take a look at a state standardized test to give them additional practice and ease their nerves. Extra practice includes a scaffolded...

Determining a theme or central idea is greatly emphasized in the Common Core standards. Target that skill though big metaphors and central symbols in Pam Muñoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising. Help your class reach the standard through...

Knowing the standard algorithm opens up a whole new world of division. Scholars learn how to convert division involving decimals to division involving whole numbers to use the standard algorithm. Knowing how to multiply with powers of...

Beginning botanists view slides of plant vascular tissue. They watch Magic School Bus Gets Planted, which you can find online, and then write a summary of what they have learned about plants. This lesson plan could be used with upper...

Let's play ball! A great springtime activity to learn about ratios. This activity challenges learners to draw stadiums to scale on standard letter paper and also on construction paper. This three-day lesson includes a pre-assessment...

For this fraction worksheet, fourth and fifth graders solve six word problems, all having to do with adding or subtracting fractions with like denominators. This worksheet can be adapted to the Common Core standards in math.

Kids observe, classify, and measure tree leaves with a scientific eye. They examine leaves, group them according their attributes, and use standard units of measurement as they compare their sizes. They access a web site to learn how...

Environmental science classes read articles about two different scientific studies. One is about the effects of contraceptive chemicals on fertility, and the other is about how a pesticide may be reducing bone density in exposed...

Does the FDA really intend to protect public health? Spark a debate in your chemistry or health class by using this article, titled "Beauty or the Beast." It questions the safety of cosmetics and toiletry products, govenment regulations,...