Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

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K20 Center

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Keep It Simple

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th Grade

Students will physically model the concept of simplifying algebraic expressions as a class then apply this knowledge to written expressions. This is a great lesson for both introducing, as well as remediating, the concept of combining like terms. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Keep It Simple

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Course Course

  • Middle School Mathematics

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th Grade

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 7.A.4.1, A303, A402
More 70–90 minutes
Time Frame 2 class periods
Annotating a Text

Style and Syntax

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Annotating a text allows students to process information about an author’s purpose and point of view. In this lesson, students will learn techniques for analyzing a text to create an argumentative paragraph related to an author’s style. This lesson may be adapted to fit any text with a particular style... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Annotating a Text

Style and Syntax

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • English/Language Arts

Course Course

  • A.P. Language and Composition, American Literature

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 9.2.R.1, 9.3.R.4, 9.3.W.2, CLR401
More 1-2 class period(s)
Time Frame 100 minutes
How EGG-ceptional Are We? (Middle School)

Evolution: Embryonic Development

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th - 8th

Students will investigate the similarity of reproduction, embryonic development, and DNA sequences to illustrate the indirect evidence for evolution. This lesson is adapted for a middle school class. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
How EGG-ceptional Are We? (Middle School)

Evolution: Embryonic Development

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Biology

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th - 8th

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 8.ESS1, 8.LS4.3.1, IOD402, IOD403, EMI401, EMI404
More 2-3 class periods
Time Frame 150 minutes

No more: "I'm not a math person!" "Growth mindset" is more than a buzz phrase—it shapes instructional choices. This session explores what growth mindset is and how it can support reluctant math learners. The math achievement gap—the math anxiety and frustration that comes with that—is very real for... Read more »

Tag Target Audience

  • New Teachers, Teachers

Tag Calendar Placement

  • Planning/Collaboration/Conference Time, Pre-Service Training, Summer Session

User Group Group Size

  • Large Group (at least 30), Medium Group (at least 10), Small Group, Small Group (at least 4)

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Increase Teacher "Toolbox"
More
Time Frame
Active Shakespeare

Making Shakespeare Accessible

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Students will be introduced to Shakespeare's language through a hands-on approach. First, students will read the prologue of "Romeo and Juliet" and translate the text into their own words. Then, students will think of present-day examples of art and media with similar themes to connect with Shakespeare's... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Active Shakespeare

Making Shakespeare Accessible

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • English/Language Arts

Course Course

  • British Literature

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • V.4, 9.4.R.2, 9.4.R.3
More 1-3 class period(s)
Time Frame 100 minutes
Get in Line

Exploring Linear (and Nonlinear) Situations

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th - 8th

In this lesson, students use graphs with linear and nonlinear relationships to connect the idea of a constant rate of change with a graph being linear. Then, students identify or calculate the rate of change from a given scenario and use it—along with the y-intercept—to write a linear equation in slope-intercept... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Get in Line

Exploring Linear (and Nonlinear) Situations

Course Course

  • Middle School Mathematics

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th - 8th

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • PA.A.1.2, PA.A.1.3, AF503
More 2 class periods
Time Frame 70–90 minutes
OPTIC: A Reading Strategy Recipe

Visual Literacy

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 12th

This lesson guides students to understand how reading strategies enhance comprehension of a text. Students read a variety of texts, including artwork, a video, and a short story, using the OPTIC strategy. Students use the strategy to make Observations and Predictions about the text to aid their understanding... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • English/Language Arts

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 6.7.R.2, 7.3.R.2, 7.R, 8.3.R.2, 7.R, CLR401, CLR402
More 180 minutes
Time Frame 3 class period(s)
All Work and No Play

Work and Energy

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students will explore the conservation of mechanical energy and how it relates to work during collisions. They will activate prior knowledge using the How I Know It strategy to review key vocabulary such as potential energy, kinetic energy, and work. In groups, students will follow a... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
All Work and No Play

Work and Energy

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Course Course

  • Physical Science, Physics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-PS3-1, HS-PS3-3, PS.PS3.1 , PS.PS3.3 , PH.PS2.3.DCI.2, PH.PS3.1 , PH.PS3.3 , IOD202, IOD302, IOD304, IOD403, IOD503, SIN301, SIN401, SIN503, EMI401, EMI502
More 150 minutes
Time Frame 1-3 class period(s)
Rules of the Mogwai

Lab Safety and Chemical Properties

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 12th

In this lesson, students will analyze real Safety Data Sheets for common household chemicals and discuss the sheets' most important features. Then, working with groups, students create their own lab safety posters, integrating the safety guidelines they discussed with their peers. This lesson is intended... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Rules of the Mogwai

Lab Safety and Chemical Properties

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, 7.PS1.1.1, 7.PS1.1.2, IOD302, EMI201, EMI301, EMI302, EMI403, EMI404
More 100 minutes
Time Frame 2-3 class period(s)
Airplanes and Airstrips, Part 2

Writing Linear Equations: Tables

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 9th

This lesson addresses writing linear equations given a table of values. Students will use their knowledge of slope and y-intercept to analyze linear data tables and represent the linear relationship in the data as an equation. Students also will watch a video of a former air traffic controller speaking... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Airplanes and Airstrips, Part 2

Writing Linear Equations: Tables

Tag Related

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Course Course

  • Algebra 1

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 9th

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A1.A.4.1, A1.F.3.1, AF503
More 2 class periods
Time Frame 90 minutes