The real world is seldom about whole numbers. If you precisely measure anything, you're likely to get a decimal. If you don't know how to multiply these decimals, then you won't be able to do all the powerful things that multiplication can do in the real world (figure out your commission as a robot possum salesperson, determining how much shag carpet you need for your secret lair, etc.). Common Core Standards: 5.NBT.B.5, 5.NBT.B.7

Students are given a difficult challenge that requires they integrate what they have learned so far in the unit about wait blocks, loops and switches. They incorporate these tools into their programming of the LEGO MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT robots to perform different tasks depending on input from a sound sensor and two touch sensors. This activity helps students understand how similar logic is implemented for other every day device operations via computer programs. A PowerPoint® presentation, pre/post quizzes and worksheet are provided.

Building on what they learned about wired and wireless electrical connections in the associated lesson, students use Android phones to take advantage of Bluetooth wireless connections to remotely guide LEGO MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT robots through a maze. They compare this wireless remote control navigation to their previous experiences navigating LEGO robots via programming. A PowerPoint® presentation and pre/post quizzes are provided.

In this demonstration, students detect the interference of waves and measure wave phenomena using an experimental apparatus consisting of a laser pointer, a second surface mirror scrap (like a bathroom mirror) binder clips, razor blade, ruler, and a white wall or projection screen. Appendices with a discussion of physical principles and extension activities are included. This resource is from PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science - a collection of brief examples created by scientists and engineers showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes have real world applications.

Explore the factors that affect a spring's motion. A spring is a resilient device that can be pressed or pulled but return to its original shape when released. Springs are commonly helical coiled metal devices. When a spring is compressed or stretched and then released, it will vibrate at a particular frequency. This frequency is called the period of the spring. Experiment by changing the spring constant (a measure of the elasticity of the coils), the mass of the weight at the end of the spring, the initial extension or compression of the spring or the friction (or damping force) exerted on the spring. Which of these factors affect the period of the spring?

During the associated lesson, students have learned about Newton's three laws of motion and free-body diagrams and have identified the forces of thrust, drag and gravity. As students begin to understand the physics behind thrust, drag and gravity and how these relate these to Newton's three laws of motion, groups assemble and launch the rockets that they designed in the associated lesson. The height of the rockets, after constructed and launched, are measured and compared to the theoretical values calculated during the rocket lesson. Effective teamwork and attention to detail is key for successful launches.

This lesson focuses on comparing and ordering fractions in ways that encourage deeper understanding of’ ‘number sense’ by supporting learners to consider different techniques to order and compare fractions with different numerators and denominators. The three techniques covered in this lesson are those used to compare fractions with like numerators or denominators, unlike numerators or denominators and by comparing to a 1/2 benchmark. Emphasis are placed on the two latter techniques. Activities and practice exercises involve real-world problems including sales discounts, cooking measurements and school score reports.

This activity can be used after reading Chapter 5 of The Great Gatsby. Listening and watching the video for Lana Del Rey's song, and title track for the film, students will dig deep into the lyrics of the song identifying figurative language, draw connections between the lyrics of the song and direct quotes from the text, and have meaningful discussion about point-of-view and symbolism in the video. Guaranteed to engage students and make valuable text to text connections!

This is an online geologic mapping activity designed to mimic the experience of conducting a geologic mapping project over several days in a field area. Students download a physical topographic basemap and then plot structural data and interpret rock units and their placement on the map based on a collection of gigapan photos. Finally, students answer a series of questions based on the map pattern and some U-Pb analytical data to determine the chronology of deformation. The exercise requires students to integrate various fields of geology to piece together the geologic history of this hypothetical region, loosely based on the North American Cordillera.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

In this three lesson series, students will analyze the effects of the drought in California. Students will analyze rainfall data and graph the annual rainfall for California. Students will understand the water cycle and explain how a drought affects the water cycle. Students will research methods to conserve water and write a persuasive argument.

This task has students solve a multi-step addition and subtraction problem based on a given data chart. Students are solving a variety of problem types involving addition and subtraction. This task is related to evidence statement 3.D.2 and Common Core Standard 2.OA.A.1

Learn about conservation of energy with a skater dude! Build tracks, ramps and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and friction as he moves. You can also take the skater to different planets or even space!

In this two-day activity spanning Units 4 and 5, students analyze spatial variation in climate through a map-based jigsaw exploration of NASA's Earth's Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) data. By the end of the activity, students will have created maps and graphs illustrating the global radiation balance and used their knowledge to develop and refine hypotheses regarding impacts of global climate change.

Unit 4 (day 1 of activity) begins with a brief student exploration of the global impacts of climate change and how maps can be used to effectively communicate these patterns. Students are then broken into small groups to analyze a map of one of three ERBE datasets. Students are asked to interpret geographic patterns in these data, infer the underlying causes of patterns they observe using knowledge they have accumulated in the previous units, and create an annotated map that clearly illustrates their observations and inferences. During the following class period (Unit 5), they will share their findings with a new group of classmates and work to synthesize the data to estimate the radiation balance.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

Students learn how to identify the major features in a topographical map. They learn that maps come in a variety of forms: city maps, road maps, nautical maps, topographical maps, and many others. Map features reflect the intended use. For example, a state map shows cities, major roads, national parks, county lines, etc. A city map shows streets and major landmarks for that city, such as hospitals and parks. Topographical maps help navigate the wilderness by showing the elevation, mountains, peaks, rivers and trails.

Edmonds School District in Washington State implemented a district-wide media literacy support project during the 2022-2023 school year. This is a collection of the resources that came out of that project that other districts might find useful.

This is a small group emergent reader lesson for the preschool/kindergarten age range. It would be perfect for your Fall/Leaves changing thematic units! Teachers can gather GOLD data on student's knowledge of concepts of print and comfortability navigating the book. Enjoy!

(This case study was added to OER Commons as one of a batch of over 700. It has relevant information which may include medical imagery, lab results, and history where relevant. A link to the final diagnosis can be found at the end of the case study for review. The first paragraph of the case study -- typically, but not always the clinical presentation -- is provided below.)

A 69-year-old man presented with a left neck mass. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy, central compartment neck dissection, sternocleidomastoid muscle flap reconstruction, and primary closure of the esophageal wall. The total thyroidectomy specimen was irregular in shape, the right lobe measured 4.5 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm and the left lobe measures 9.0 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm. The exterior surface of the gland was tan-pink and rubbery. The cut surface of the left lobe revealed a 7.5 x 4.5 cm tan-grey lesion. The lesion approached to within less than 1mm of the capsular surface. Scant normal appearing thyroid parenchyma was present at the superior aspect of the left lobe. The right lobe parenchyma was red and beefy.

This OER explores the debates over the solar system in the seventeenth century, focusing on the relationship between models and data during this time period. It contains both an activity as well as resources for further exploration. It is a product of the OU Academy of the Lynx, developed in conjunction with the Galileo's World Exhibition at the University of Oklahoma.

This activity features a primary source from the Fed's online archive, FRASER. The activity allows students to see maps depicting the best data available for the U.S. population at the time and to practice historical inquiry skills. The activity may be used as a way to introduce early migration or as a supplemental activity.

This task uses student generated data to assess standard 7.SP.7. This task could also be extended to address Standard 7.SP.1 by adding a small or whole class discussion of whether the class could be considered as a representative sample of all students at your school.