Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

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K20 Center

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K20 Center

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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"
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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
Innocent at Birth? Genetic Discrimination

Genetics and Ethics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 12th

In this lesson, students will research the concepts of genetic discrimination and discuss the ethics involved. Then, students will use the information to make an informed decision about genetic science and its role in today’s society. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 12th

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • MS-LS4-5, HS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-2, 8.LS4.5 , B.LS3.1 , B.LS3.2 , EMI403, EMI503, EMI504, EMI602
More 2-3 class periods
Time Frame 150 minutes
Function Junction

Introduction to Functions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 9th

In this lesson, students will explore real-world examples of functions and patterns within function notation to represent function machines algebraically. They will use given inputs and outputs to identify independent and dependent variables and the domain and range of different functions. This lesson... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Function Junction

Introduction to Functions

Course Course

  • Algebra 1

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 9th

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A1.F.1.1, A1.F.1.2, F507
More 70–80 minutes
Time Frame 2 class periods
Untwining and Intertwining

Chemical Reactions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Students will investigate different classifications of chemical reactions. This lesson focuses on critical thinking to build context without using any actual chemicals, making it a low-budget option. However, if you have the budget for chemicals, check out the lesson Happy, Sad, Sleepy, Mad for classifying... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Untwining and Intertwining

Chemical Reactions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Chemistry, Physical Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-PS1-2, PS.PS1.2 , IOD203, IOD302, IOD303
More 90 minutes
Time Frame 1-2 class period(s)