Browse lesson plans

Understanding the complexities of setting

In order to address a variety of learning styles with emphasis upon the tactile learner, students will participate in a class project to construct a wall-sized, three dimensional mural of the setting of the novel, Where the Lilies Bloom. This project cannot be too large (an outside corridor wall is suggested.) The massive size of the mural makes the project distinctly different from similar art projects attempted in the past, it allows students enough space for all of the details desired in the end result of the mural, and it affords enough space for all students in the class to display their work.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Visual Arts Education and English Language Arts)

By Pam Altom.

Vessels in Greek art: Museum pre-visit

This lesson will focus on what vessels are, where we can find them in our everyday world, and the concept that vessels are containers that hold something. This lesson is the first lesson of two.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Arts)

By Katie O'Connor.

Water, water everywhere...

This is a good beginning of the year lesson to review fractions, decimals, geometry (the number of degrees in a circle and drawing a circle with a protractor), graphing, and metric measurement. This lesson is a good way for students to meet their peers while working cooperatively in a task-oriented group. The watermelon you will be using for the activity is also a good start-of-the-year treat. Be sure to get an extra watermelon or two to share at the end of the activity.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Mathematics)

By Jayne Brown.

Weather activities with Night of the Twisters

While reading the novel Night of the Twisters, students will complete activities related to weather concepts described in the story. Students will complete activities which explore the key concepts of cloud formation, air pressure, and local weather patterns.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)

By Melissa Bancroft.

Weathering the water cycle: Condensation

This lesson introduces students to condensation as one phase of the water cycle. Through the use of the four lessons in this series students will learn that the water cycle is a continuous cycle. The other lessons in this series include lessons on evaporation and precipitation as well as a conclusion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Science)

By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

Weathering the water cycle: Evaporation

Students will learn that evaporation is one of the three stages of the water cycle. The other lessons in this series include lessons on condensation and precipitation as well as a conclusion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Science)

By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

Welcome to the New World

This lesson provides students an opportunity to read and interpret writings of the late 1500's and to transfer the information provided in the writings into a visual medium as a means of understanding and interpretation. The lesson also provides students practice in persuasive techniques.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Barbara Jean.

What do you see?

This lesson is designed to teach color vocabulary and some basic animal names to novice level ESL students in grades 1-2 using Bill Martin's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 English Language Arts)

By Cindy Young.

What is heat? — Heat vs. temperature

In Why does chemistry matter in my life?, page 5

In this lesson plan, students engage in hands-on activities to gain an understanding ofthe difference between heat and temperature, as well as the specific heat of different substances.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Lisa Hibler.

What makes you scream?

Students will study Edvard Munch's painting The Scream. They will then produce their own scream using directional lines as Munch did. Line was used by Munch in a variety of directions—horizontal, vertical and diagonal. This will help the eye travel to the central theme of the composition: the person's fright or what they fear.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Visual Arts Education)

By Cathy Crumpler.

What time is it?

Students will learn to recognize analog and digital clocks. They will also gain skills to tell time to the hour on both clocks.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Mathematics)

By Alysia Baysden.

What's happening now?

This comprehension and writing lesson helps the student develop skills in predicting what will happen next and sequencing. It also develops the ability to answer what, where, when, and how questions. It can also include a writing activity that teaches writing in a newspaper format by answering the "W" questions and creating a class newspaper book.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts)

By Nancy McGowan.

Who has seen the wind? Harnessing alternative energy

In this lesson plan, students conduct a series of investigations in order to understand issues surrounding the production of energy from wind, informed by the video "Roping the Wind in Texas" on the Powering a Nation website. Activities include discussing a video about the siting of a wind farm in Texas; conducting calculations based on local wind data; and using Google Earth, windNavigator software, and hands-on investigations to assess the potential for producing wind energy in the students' local area.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Linda Schmalbeck.

Who's unique?

Encourages students to examine their ideas about how they are different and similar to each other by participating in an activity and then discussing their thoughts.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–5 Guidance and Healthful Living)

Why does chemistry matter in my life?

This series of high school chemistry lesson plans addresses questions about the relevance of chemistry in everyday life.

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

Why I am me timeline

Student develops a timeline that correlates personal life events with world events. Research and bibliographic skills are incorporated.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Guidance and Information Skills)

By Rita Briggs.

Winter advisory: The effect of salt on the freezing point of water

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.9

In this lesson, students complete a lab to help them understand the effect of salt on the freezing point of water. Students discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using salt as a de-icing and anti-icing agent on roads.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Science)

By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.

Winter congruent and symmetrical shapes

Students learn about congruency and symmetry. They complete a symmetrical tree that is complete with congruent ornaments.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Mathematics)

By Julie Little.

Resources on the web

Free Online MIT Course Materials

At this site MIT provides a number of great resources for high school teachers and students. These include video demonstrations, AP level practice problems and exam questions, hands on learning examples, and links to further resources from MIT education outreach... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: MIT