Turn your 6th graders into detectives while growing their love of reading. Using critical thinking skills, they will be able to describe the five basic elements of detective fiction, read detective novels, make predictions, use the...

Students read books by the author Keiko Kasza and complete critical thinking skills, and connections to different subjects. In this language lesson plan, students connect the books to language arts, social studies, science, math, health,...

Twenty-one pieces of tagboard can lead your class to a greater understanding of integers when you use them to form a human number line. After creating this math tool, two strategies for adding and subtracting will have your...

The lesson starts out with a brain drain, which is a great way to get students to activate prior knowledge and build lasting connections. They tell everything they know about prime factorization, use their knowledge to...

Students explore critical thinking strategies. In this critical thinking lesson, students evaluate multiple choice answers. Students note similarities between incorrect answers and discover how to compare and contrast incorrect and...

Upper elementary and middles schoolers discuss and solve real world applications of math. They use formulas for volume and percents to answer real world questions. In the second part of the instructional activity, groups write and solve...

Finding patterns is an essential skill for mathematicians of all ages. Follow along with Zoe as she walks step-by-step through the process of identifying and completing number patterns. Work through the Try It! problems as a whole class...

Students are given a description of a scenario of Professor Fink searching for a group of children. When he finds them, he states that he can express their location as a function of his hand. Students analyze the scenario and determine...

Seventh grade math is so much fun! They solve 10 different problems that include using patterns to complete a table, describe the pattern, and identify the specific term in the pattern for each. Then they give a description of the...

If you're teaching 3rd or 4th grade math, this presentation is a must have. It defines perimeter and polygons, then describes the process by which perimeter is determined through pair share discussion and critical thinking questions....

Fourth graders solve division problems by practicing on function machine.

Skittles and math? Pupils will work as a class to determine how many orange Skittles are in a large bag by using proportions. They will problem solve, estimate, and share their thinking. Then, they will each receive a small bag of...

A lengthy narrative about Pythagoras and his young scholars precedes an activity in which your young mathematicians practice using the Pythagorean theorem to solve three problems about flight and distance. Answers are provided. 

Students will use scientific reasoning to formulate ideas about the formation of the universe using the Big Bang Theory. The use of critical thinking skills is part of the activity and the foundation of the scientific method will serve...

Learners play math detectives and solve a series of story problems or word problems in order to finish an adventure. The activity connects math and reading while reinforcing critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Mystery is an exciting genre for young readers to investigate. The plots are so intriguing! Here is a series of lessons featuring Sherlock Holmes stories that invite learners to enter the world of the mystery genre.  Based on what...

No need to go to extreme lengths to find resources on extrema. The central focus of an AP® curriculum module is on critical points and extrema, and how to cover these concepts throughout the course. A set of three worksheets helps assess...

Students study directional skills and participate in a scavenger hunt to find flowers. They compare, group and classify the flowers by their similarities and differences.

Conduct research on the Internet about labyrinths and mazes to learn about proportions and ratios. Inquisitive minds design their own maze, one maze is chosen and proportionately enlarged to 20 feet by 30 feet. This is a fun challenge...

For this well-designed nutritional activity, students are given the opportunity to create their own daily food record, compare their nutrient with minimimun requirements, and think critically about their own food choices. Materials and...

Students apply mathematical skills to solve problems using data brought in by the Navy speaker. They use critical thinking skills to create their own story problems. Students exchange story problems among students to analyze and try to...

Students participate in a variety of treasure hunts to promote critical thinking skills. In these problem solving lessons, students go on a photo hunt, scavenger hunt, clue hunt, and map hunt, looking for specific treasures.

How many hot dogs does Fenway Park go through in a year? Learners estimate answers to this question and more as they work through the task. Problems require participants to make assumptions and use those assumptions to make estimations.