Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning
Sherry Franklin
Director of Learning Support - GEAR UP for LIFE
K20 Center
In this series of activities the students will learn about forensic impression evidence. They will come to understand the methods for documenting and analyzing two- and three-dimensional impressions by collecting dental stone castings and inked impressions of shoe prints. After analyzing the characteristics... Read more »
Created by: Sherry Franklin
Date Updated: June 10th, 2026
In this series of activities, students delve into the field of forensic entomology by engaging in hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and activate critical thinking skills. Students review the life cycle of flies, assume the roles of forensic investigators, and tackle... Read more »
Created by: Sherry Franklin
Date Updated: June 10th, 2026
In these activities, students will explore forensic document analysis with an emphasis on handwriting. They will learn about the 12 characteristics of handwriting analysis and use them to analyze samples of their own handwriting and a peer's. Students will apply the skills they practiced to identify... Read more »
Created by: Sherry Franklin
Date Updated: June 3rd, 2026
This collection of lessons focuses on skills that a forensic scientist or crime scene investigator would use professionally. These lessons can be taught separately, as a unit, or as a part of activities in an after-school club. Read more »
This collection of club activities provides teachers and facilitators of school clubs with resources for helping students to practice academic skills within the club context. These activities will enhance students' skills in areas such as self-regulation, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical... Read more »
Instructional coaching provides job‑embedded, individualized support through goal setting, observation, feedback, and reflection. Coaching strengthens teacher practice, builds capacity, improves retention, and supports higher levels of student learning. Read more »
This research brief examines how data-driven coaching sessions can boost both academic and behavioral praise. The study found that eight, 30-minute, data-driven coaching sessions helped K–5 teachers in high-poverty schools increase praise, improve instruction and behavior management quality, and raise... Read more »
Data‑driven decision‑making improves instruction when schools build data literacy, use multiple data sources, collaborate in teams, implement evidence‑based strategies, and monitor progress in a continuous cycle focused on all students and their learning. Read more »
This collection has all the resources you need to successfully implement the Boosting Life Skills: A Game-Based Learning Intervention Action Plan. Read more »
This collection has all the resources you need to successfully implement the STEM Design Lab: Building Critical Thinking and Collaboration Action Plan. Read more »
