Compare what shells look like on the outside with what makes that happen on the inside. Scholars begin by sorting an various seashells by their physical characteristics into phylogenetic trees. They then conduct a DNA comparison of...

There are shaded areas, particles, polar equations, oh my! Teachers use the materials to see how their pupils compare to the AP® Calculus BC exam expectations. Scholars use the released items to practice on several BC topics and become...

Imports often affect the production of domestic goods. Scholars consider the variables in this situation with a scaffolded prompt from College Board. Other items examine factors in production and compare the production advantage between...

What do lab tests reveal about a patient's health? Scholars perform a simulated urinalysis on two different patients by testing color, pH, glucose levels, and protein levels. Then, they compare their findings to what they know passes...

How do people determine if something is acidic or basic? Learners make their own acid-base indicators using red cabbage and then determine the acidity and alkalinity of different substances. First, they test substances of known pH and...

Where have all the activists gone? Class members compare 21st-century activism with the suffrage movement and the work of Susan B. Anthony. They begin by examining Anthony's biography and speeches to find evidence that her words and...

How loud is the class's hearing threshold? Using a sound level meter, the class members observe how the loudness of sound is affected by distance. Learners continue to study decibels by seeing how different sounds compare to each other...

When is the distance formula not accurate? Referencing a map of the school, pairs determine the walking distance between two locations. Creating coordinates for each location, pupils determine the distance between the two points and...

The California Gold Rush rewrote the history of the American West, but especially that of San Francisco. After analyzing images of the city and primary sources, such as a diary entry, scholars discuss these changes. Scaffolded questions...

Which truck should the fire department purchase? Given a scenario with three different ladder trucks, pupil compare the height the ladders will reach. They determine which ladder trucks meet the cities' requirements and provide a...

Two activities ask high schoolers to consider the role of alcohol culture in their lives. First, groups analyze the types of appeals used in newspaper ads for alcoholic drinks and compare those images with what they have observed....

Soften up an egg. Learners use vinegar to test for calcium carbonate in an egg shell and an antacid tablet and compare the reaction with vinegar to the reaction with water. In a second experiment, class members break down an egg shell...

Always strive to make things better. The second of three activities in the Experimenting with Solar Heaters unit has learners design new solar heaters that are more effective compared to the simple models they used in the previous...

Scholars think of a special place, then represent that place through pictures or written words— a poem, song, or short story. Peers show off their organizational skills by reviewing their binders and notebooks, comparing strategies, and...

Examine human resilience across two texts with a detailed unit. Over the course of a week, learners will conduct a close reading of excerpts from Unbroken and Farewell to Manzanar. The resource includes clear procedures for reading and...

Everyone learns and experiences life differently. A set of lessons about character intensities encourages middle and high schoolers to analyze themselves, their peers, and characters from a book based on the five listed intensities:...

Students compare and constrast a wide variety of minerals and rocks. They test them for streak, luster, color and other characteristics. They view an exhibit and compare their answers to them.

Let's use Fruit Loops to teach counting skills! Students practice counting one-to-one correspondence using Fruit Loops with a partner and then compare them to see who has more or less.

Explore fractions using different manipulatives and illustrations. Your class can create a variety of models of fractions and mixed numbers with drawings and manipulatives. They then work to compare fractions, mixed numbers, and whole...

Fifth graders discuss insurance and the cost of automobile insurance. They compare and contrast the costs of insurance from different companies. They figure the savings from the lowest deductible to the highest deductible.

Students compare paintings to make conclusions about American History in the Revolutionary War time period. Students share opinions concerning visual art. Other artwork can be used to entice inquiry as needed.

Students work together to complete a simulation on drought days. As a class, they discuss their results and compare water usage of the past to current numbers. After reading short excerpts, they answer discussion questions and review as...

Sixth graders compare and contrast the totals from two national football teams for the year. Using the internet, they search for the information they need and create a data bar graph. They use the information they collected to answer...

Students make estimates and then measure leaves for accuracy. They calculate the area of the leaves by drawing an outline on graph paper and counting the squares. They compare the leaves exposed to sunlight to those that are in constant...