Cookie Cutters - Class Web Site Thematic Unit Overview: This was a kid created web site that covered the TEKS for Language Arts, Technology, Science, Social Studies, and Math. We wanted the kids to experience the wonders of the Internet, to gain knowledge of computer terms, to learn how to safely travel along the Internet. We wanted to build their critical thinking skills, writing skills, and communication skills as they wrote the text that goes into our site. In order to participate, the ki ...

HyperStudy-O Overview: The stack starts with one main card which has categories and buttons with point values. It can be played similar to Jeopardy!, making the higher point items the more difficult questions. The main difference is that questions are given, and the student must provide the answers aloud or written. Once a button is press on the main card, it will go to a card where the question is displayed. Press a button there to see what the correct answer is. Then press the button to go ...

Immigration Overview Immigration is a topic that affords tremendous opportunities to be explored by every discipline in education. In many ways, it can be said that immigration is the tap root of America. Its selection as a topic for an interdisciplinary unit was not haphazard, but the result of an identified need to introduce a learning environment that addressed the depth and richness of the American experience as a single, unified subject. The timing of this unit was also important. When ...

Medieval Times Overview: Although this project could easily be applied to the study of the State of Texas, our 4th grade students did this while studying Medieval times. Students were assigned a specific topic for individual study such as Village Life, Monks & Nuns, Castles, Clothing or Education and were expected to research their topic using at least four sources - only one of which was allowed to be an encyclopedia. Once their research was complete, they made storyboards for their six card ...

My Family's Heritage: An Interdisciplinary Unit Overview: In today's society, students often feel that their education is disconnected from their everyday life and also express a belief that their learning is taught in a vacuum. As educators, we strive to make what we teach relevant to our students' lives. This unit, My Family's Heritage was taught as a 7th grade interdisciplinary unit. Students focused on many aspects of heritage in each of their core academic subjects for two weeks. This en ...

Problem Solving with Pentominoes Overview: Students create the 12 different pentomino shapes (letters) on the computer using the Logo programming language. Students build each letter based on a 30 by 30 square. Students use super procedures to create each letter. After creating the 12 pentominoes letters, students use their letters to create new "flip" letters. Students then combine letters to create five different puzzles: two different rectangles, two different sets of stairs, and a hat sha ...

Science Mentors: Building Stronger Middle School Science Programs Through Telecommunications Overview: Science Mentors is a minigrant-funded project sponsored by the Texas Education Network (TENET). Its primary purpose is to match middle school students who are working on projects with experts in the corresponding fields. Electronic mail links students and mentors. A database of people who are willing to assist and students who request assistance was established at the Mentors Web site. In f ...

Texas Indians Curriculum Guide by Carol Johnson OverviewStudents learn about Native Americans that lived in Texas before the arrival of the Europeans. ObjectivesStudents study characteristics of Texas Indians and evaluate how the environment affected their way of life. Make a distinction between adaptation to the physical environment and adaptation to the social environment. The physical environment is the plants, animals, terrain and weather. The social environment is the other cultur ...

The Global Grocery List Internet Project Overview: Students collect prices on 14 specific items from their local grocery stores. The data is entered into a spreadsheet, sorted and averaged. The information is then sent to the Global Grocery List web site and becomes part of a growing table of data. The data is analyzed providing the students an opportunity for solving many problems. Grade level Time frame Subject Areas TEKS 8th gradeStudents are given a period of two weeks to make a trip t ...

Lesson Plan 16. Weather Satellite Prediction Project Subject Area: Technology Systems Grade Level: High school (9-12) Standards: TEKS 123.32 Technology Systems (1) Scientific Processes. The students use scientific methods during satellite weather investigations. Students are expected to: (A) plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting equipment and technology; (B) organize, a ...

UNIT 1—Prediction Teacher Materials CLICK THE SYMBOL OF EACH SECTION HEADER TO RETURN HERE. TEKS Support Context Overview Mathematical Development Teacher Notes Preparation Reading—Let the Bones Speak! Activity 1—Using Your Head Homework 1—Leg Work Supplemental Activity 1—Under Investigation Activity 2—Measuring Up Homework 2—Follow in My Footsteps Supplemental Activity 2—Line Up Activity 3—I Predict That Homework 3—Exercising Judgment Activity 4—Forearmed Is Fore ...

UNIT 2—Rain Teacher Materials CLICK THE SYMBOL OF EACH SECTION HEADER TO RETURN HERE. TEKS Support Teacher Notes Preparation Reading—Rain Falls Mainly on the Plain? Activity 1—First Time Passing Through? Homework 1—Rain on Me! Discussion—"Revised" Model Supplemental Activity 1—Continental Divide Activity 2—Caution: Under Construction Homework 2—In Pursuit of Knowledge Supplemental Activity 2—Bird Territories Activity 3—Area of Concern Homework 3—The Means Justify the ...

UNIT 3—Animation Teacher Materials CLICK THE SYMBOL OF EACH SECTION HEADER TO RETURN HERE. TEKS Support Teacher Notes Context Overview Mathematical Development Unit Project Activity 1—A Living Marquee Homework 1—Making a Point Activity 2—Calculator Marquee Homework 2—Up in Lights Activity 3—Addressing a Letter Homework 3—Thinking About Figures Activity 4—What’s My Line? Homework 4—Escalating Motions Activity 5—Going to the Movies Unit Project Supplemental Mate ...

UNIT 4—Motion Teacher Materials CLICK THE SYMBOL OF EACH SECTION HEADER TO RETURN HERE. TEKS Support Teacher Notes "Simple Model"—Context Overview Mathematical Development Unit Project Suggestions Unit Project—Look Before You Leap Supplemental Activity 3 (optional project)—Evel Knievel Rides Again! Preparation Reading—It’s Showtime! Activity 1—Plan Ahead! Homework 1—Can You Say "Toy Boat" Three Times Fast? Activity 2—Watch Your Step Homework 2—Step By Step Activity ...

UNIT 5—Testing 123 Teacher Materials CLICK THE SYMBOL OF EACH SECTION HEADER TO RETURN HERE. TEKS Support Teacher Notes Context Overview Mathematical Development Preparation Reading—"Anabolic Steroids: Use and Effect" Discussion—Modeling Process Activity 1—"It’s Only a Test" Supplemental Activity 1—"Middle of a Model" (Manipulative Version) Homework 1—"Let’s Rumble" Activity 2—"Middle of a Model" Homework 2—"Expect to Be Worth Something" Activity 3—Finally, A Model ...

UNIT 6—Oscillation Teacher Materials CLICK THE SYMBOL OF EACH SECTION HEADER TO RETURN HERE. TEKS Support Teacher Notes Context Overview Mathematical Development Unit Project—Swing Dance Teaching Suggestions—Preparation Reading Activity 1—Everyday Patterns Homework 1—Follow the Bouncing Ball Activity 2—What Goes Around Comes Around Homework 2—Going Nowhere Fast Activity 3—Spinning Your Wheels Homework 3—Going Around In Circles Activity 4—Learning A, B, C, and D H ...

UNIT 7—Wildlife Teacher Materials CLICK THE SYMBOL OF EACH SECTION HEADER TO RETURN HERE. TEKS Support To the Teacher Overview Additional Resources on the Modeling Process Teacher Notes Unit Project—Tracking Wildlife and Other Issues Activity 1—What’s the Moose Problem? Homework 1—More Moose Questions Homework 1—Which Facts Matter? Activity 2—Your Moose Model Begins Homework 3—Moose Populations: Analytic Representations Activity 3—Interim Report to the Commissioner A ...

UNIT 8—Growth and Decay Teacher Materials CLICK THE SYMBOL OF EACH SECTION HEADER TO RETURN HERE. TEKS Support Teacher Notes Context Overview Mathematical Development Teaching Suggestions Preparation Reading—"dos... age (do¢ sij) n." Activity 1—First Steps Homework 1—We Need Input, Stephanie! Activity 2—Tell Me If It Hurts! Homework 2—Let’s Play Doctor Activity 3—The ‘K’ in ‘Decay’ Homework 3—Grrrrrrr-Rate! Activity 4—You Grow Some, You Decay Some Homework 4—Stay ...

Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Spare Overview: Awareness of water usage and waste in the desert area of El Paso is vitally important to our continued existence in this area. Grade level Time frame Subject Areas TEKS 2nd and 3rd 2 weeks Math 3.14, 3.15, 3.3, 3.4 Science 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.11 Technology Applications(3-5)11, 8A Goals and objectives: Understanding local water sources, including groundwater and river water usage and reduction of per capita cons ...

World War II Fronts Pacific Front, Home Front, European Front Overview: World War I was billed as *the war to end wars* but twenty years later Europe exploded into another war more devastating than the first. Who were the men who led their countries into war? What were their reasons? How was war waged in the Pacific, European, and Home Fronts? What developments from World War II still impact us today? What were the far reaching results of the war? Grade level Time frame Subject Areas ...